How to get your motivation to 10
3 Tips to Go from Zero to Ten
“Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable”
Mary Oliver
How to get motivated for 2024
So, you are reading this article because your motivation is a 6 or 7 and you want it to be a 10? I know that sometimes it can be hard to stick to your resolutions, especially when life throws unexpected challenges at you. But I also know that you have the strength, the courage, and the determination to overcome any obstacle and make your dreams come true.
Please don’t be discouraged if you feel like you have failed in the past years New Years resolutions. Failure is not the opposite of success; it is part of the journey. Every failure is an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to try again. Remember that you are not alone in this journey. Don’t let anything stop you from pursuing your passions and living your best life. 2024 is still your one wild and precious life.
Why are you at 6 or 7 vs a 10?
Feelings and good positive emotions follow our actions. That is why you feel so good after finally cleaning out a closet, sorting a messy drawer or sweeping the garage. The takeaway is you must start somewhere today to get some traction on being motivated. Starting is the hard part but it will get your emotions and motivation headed toward a 9 or 10. Mary Poppins said to the young boy Michael, “begun is half done”. Let us begin your journey today.
“… begun is half done.”
Mary Poppins
Motivation is all about expectations of the future.
To get to a 10 in motivation we must be excited about the future. Here is proof. Tell a teenager to get up and mow the yard and do a list of chores on Saturday Morning and they are not energetic or motivated. Tell them that after finishing the chores on Saturday you are taking them and 2 friends to Disney World for 2 days and watch how their energy and motivation changes. Now the teenager has a different expectation for the future that weekend and has newfound motivation about chores and is suddenly a 10. Keep working on your 2024 goals and dreams list until you can feel excited like the teenager.
I hope that this new year brings you joy, peace, and happiness. I hope that you find new opportunities, new challenges, and new adventures. I hope that you keep believing in yourself and your abilities. And I hope that you never give up on your dreams. Resolve to make 2024 one of the best years of your life.
Challenge Questions:
What would you have to do to make 2024 the best year or one of the best years of your life?
Is the best yet to come for you?
Tell me _________ (insert your name), what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious 2024 year?
Need something uplifting. Here is a find. The late Mary Oliver reads her most famous poem The Summer Day with the knockout motivational last question, Tell me what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
Author Mary Oliver reads her poem The Summer Day
3 Tips To Go from Zero to Ten Motivation
The new year is a great time to set new health goals, but sometimes it can be hard to keep up with them and stay motivated. If you want to have more motivation for your new health goals in 2024, even if your previous resolutions have failed in the past, here are three new actions I recommend:
#1. Create a 2024 vision board to remind you of your goals and priorities in 2024. A vision board is a collage of images, words, and symbols that represent your desired outcomes and feelings. You can use magazines, newspapers, online sources, or your own drawings to create your vision board. You can also add quotes, affirmations, or goals that inspire you.
Photo by AbsolutVision on Unsplash On your vision board could be :
Travel and places you want to go in 2024,
Fitness - Picture of how you want to look and feel in 2024,
Family Vacations and Road Trips, Money and things you want like a barbecue grill or a new bike in 2024.
The purpose of a vision board is to help you visualize your success and keep you reminded and focused on your health goals. You can display your vision board somewhere you can see it every day, such as your bedroom, your office, or your phone wallpaper.
#2 Make a habit tracker. A habit tracker is a tool that helps you monitor your progress and consistency in performing your health-related habits. You can use a calendar and check off the days you read for a half hour or walk 10,000 steps as your habit tracker.
Younger Next Year A journal, an app, or a spreadsheet can be your you habit tracker. I’m into my third year (currently I’m at 1024 days of tracking my workouts and food) of using the Younger Next Year Journal. It makes me think about my exercise and food each day. It takes about 3 minutes a day. And yes, the 1024 days of habit tracking makes me not want to miss a day! Any journal, notebook or calendar can work. Here is a link to the Younger Next Year Journal .
You can list the habits you want to develop, such as drinking water, eating fruits, meditating, calling your mother or grandkids or exercising, and mark them off on the habit tracker list or calendar every time you complete them.
Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash You can also set a frequency, a duration, or a target for each habit. The benefit of a habit tracker is that it helps you stay accountable, motivated, and rewarded for your efforts. Habit Trackers are covered in the best selling book Atomic Habits by James Clear - Here is a short motivation video that gives the main points of the book:
#3 Find a role model. A role model is someone who has achieved or is working towards the same or similar health goals as you. You can find a role model among your friends, family, celebrities, or athletes. It can be a personal trainer or a You Tube fitness or finance author you follow. You can follow their journey, learn from their tips, ask for their advice, or emulate their actions. The advantage of having a role model is that it helps you feel inspired, supported, and challenged by their example.
Tip: As one of my role models, I follow college professor and author Dr Becky for fasting and dieting information:
These are the 3 new actions you can do to have more motivation for your new health goals in 2024, even if your previous resolutions have failed in the past. Remember, you have the power to change your life for the better, as long as you have a clear vision, a strong habit, and a positive role model. I hope the “Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable” quote by Mary Oliver will inspire you to get to a 10 in motivation. Use this article to motivate you to take action and pursue your new “unimaginable” 2024 goals. Good luck!
Health Topics
Evidence for Retirees That You’ve Mastered The Challenge of Being Alone in Life
Being alone in life does not have to mean being lonely. In fact, some people enjoy solitude and find it beneficial for their well-being. If you are a retiree who lives alone, you may have mastered the art of being alone in life if you can relate to these 5 signs:
You have a healthy relationship with yourself. You are comfortable with your own company and do not depend on others for validation or happiness. You have a positive self-image and a sense of purpose in life. You treat yourself with kindness and respect, and you take care of your physical, mental, and emotional needs.
You have a strong social network. You may live alone, but you are not isolated. You have friends and family who care about you and support you. You maintain regular contact with them and enjoy meaningful conversations. You also participate in social activities that interest you and allow you to meet new people and have fun.
You have a passion or a hobby. You have something that you love to do and that gives you joy and fulfillment. It could be anything from gardening to painting to volunteering. You dedicate time and energy to your passion or hobby and use it as a way to express yourself and learn new skills.
You have a sense of adventure. You are not afraid to try new things and explore new places. You are curious and open-minded and willing to challenge yourself. You seek out opportunities to learn and grow and to enrich your life with new experiences. You may travel, take classes, join clubs, or pursue any other activity that sparks your interest.
You have a positive attitude. You are optimistic and grateful for what you have in life. You do not dwell on the past or worry about the future. You live in the present and make the most of each day. You cope well with stress and adversity and see them as opportunities to grow. You embrace change and look forward to new possibilities.
If you can identify with these five signs, congratulations! You have mastered the art of being alone in life and you are likely to be happy and fulfilled. However, if you feel lonely or unhappy living alone, do not hesitate to seek help from a professional or a trusted person. Remember, you are not alone and there are many resources and people who can help you.
Check out this great article:
11 Signs You've Mastered The Art Of Being Alone In Life
A word from Paul Phaneuf:
You may know I’m a Certified Personal Trainer specializing in training people over age 50. Most of my clients are over age 70 and still seeing improvements in their strength and health. I get lots of good questions on losing weight and how to stay fit, especially as we have to train with medical conditions or injuries as we age. I read many books and publications and will keep you informed here about fitness, relationships, finances, second careers, part time jobs and of course, how not to work at all and enjoy retirement.
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What could you do to make 2024 the best year of your life?
“begun is half done”. Let’s begin your journey today.
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There were lots of great ideas here Paul! It doesn't seem to matter when. I feel like whenever I'm in even a small rut it is worthwhile to take a bit of time to plan. There's always a small (or large) thing on which to focus to eliminate, do less of, or do more of. That can often be the start of something new and exciting worth focusing on.
Mark, Thanks for your reply. Im feeling like 2024 is a breakout year for me and you. You have to say "good bye" to the old to be able to say "hello" to the new.