Motivation Tips During Moments of Stress, Frustration and Sadness
- Published:
- Updated: April 12, 2024
Has you experienced something so challenging that it felt no time, money or effort can fix it. I’ve been there, and I know you have too. Many people give up when things get tough; but as a life and business coach, I want to help you feel confident and strong when facing challenges. It’s common to feel discouraged, but it can be a motivating factor to bring about positive changes.
In this article, we’ll be discussing ways to stay motivated and overcome difficult times. Let’s begin!
First, I want to share one of my biggest personal blunders during a challenging season of my life. I’m sharing it because it’s normal to have ups and downs.
Self motivation feels impossible when things are going to sh*t
Getting better is hard and scary, especially when you’re in the middle of it. You might be afraid of messing up, making things worse, or not knowing what will happen next. But even though recovery from a traumatic season of your life can be scary, it’s better than living a chaotic and unhappy life.
I remember a time when I woke up in a hotel room in Las Vegas with a stranger, even though I was trying to stop my destructive behavior. It was a huge wake-up call.
Always recognize your HALT signs
Although I did something that undermined my recovery, it taught me something very important. I learned never to put myself in potentially dangerous situations when I feel H.A.L.T. (hungry, angry, lonely, or tired).
Setbacks don’t have to remove your motivation to succeed
Yes, setbacks can and do happen, and mistakes are a natural part of the journey. Despite this, positive transformations can occur through active involvement in the recovery process.
By prioritizing spiritual development, adopting a more selfless attitude, and actively making amends for past mistakes, it is possible to navigate the fear of healing and find meaningful growth.
We will discuss my motivational tips in more detail in the next section.
13 Simple Motivational Tips That Will Help You
As a recovering addict and trauma survivor, I know how difficult it can be to find positivity when you feel as if your feelings will consume you. Take heart; you can and will survive through this challenging season. Here are some tips that will help you.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
Sometimes feeling down is normal, so it’s okay. Don’t hide or deny these feelings. As I mentioned earlier in this article, I don’t neglect my body’s signs of hunger, anger, loneliness, or exhaustion. These are signs that I need to take care of myself. When you feel unhappy, try to understand what’s causing it.
Set Realistic Goals
Sometimes, discouragement stems from setting overly ambitious or unrealistic goals. You may be trying to shoot for the moon. Next time, just aim for the stars.
Break your goals into smaller, achievable steps. This way, you can celebrate small victories along the way, which can boost your motivation.
Remind Yourself of Past Achievements
Take a moment to think about the things you’ve achieved in the past and how you managed to handle difficult situations.
It doesn’t have to be a big thing, it could be something like deciding to treat yourself better after a breakup or getting in touch with a family member you hadn’t spoken to in a while. Don’t be modest about how you coped with tough times in the past.
Surround Yourself with Positivity
Spend time with people who are helpful and kind to you. Talk to them about your hopes and problems. Good feedback and encouragement from loved ones can make you feel more motivated.
Also, check your surroundings. Are there things that make you sad? Put them in a box and take them away. Fill your space with things that make you happy, like pictures or quotes that make you feel good. This article has more ideas for making your surroundings better.
Create a Vision Board
Draw your goals on a vision board. It can have pictures, phrases, or reminders of what you want to achieve. My vision board worked great when I quit drinking. It reminded me that I could and should overcome my urges.
Put your vision board where you can see it often. If cutting and pasting paper isn’t for you, use Canva to create a digital version.
Visualize Success
Think about how it would look and feel to accomplish your goals. It can be really motivating to create a picture in your head of what you want to achieve. Keep that picture in your mind if you feel like giving up.
If you need help with creating this mental image, here’s a course that can assist you.
Seek Inspiration
You can get inspiration and understanding by reading books, watching documentaries, or following successful people who have faced similar challenges.
One book that had a big impact on me is “A Man’s Search for Meaning,” by Viktor Frankl. He survived being in a Nazi concentration camp, and it helped him understand the meaning of suffering.
Break Tasks into Smaller Steps
Big or complicated tasks can make you feel stressed and discouraged. You might have gotten used to feeling this way. But, it’s a good idea to divide the task into smaller parts that are easier to handle. This will help you feel less overwhelmed and more able to achieve your goal.
Take Care of Your Body and Mind
Taking care of your physical and mental health is important for motivation. Get enough sleep, eat healthily, exercise regularly, and manage stress with relaxation or mindfulness. Now is time time to improve your wellness through self-care. When your body and mind are healthy, you can be more resilient and see things more clearly.
Loving yourself requires that you trust your ability to recognize your needs and respond to them without guilt or shame.
Set a Routine
Make a plan for your day or week so you can stay focused and disciplined. This can help you keep going and make progress.
Set a time to relax in the evenings and on weekends, so you can calm your mind and body after a busy day.
Stay Organized
Use tools like lists, calendars, or apps to keep track of your tasks and what’s most important. This can help you feel motivated and see what you have accomplished.
Just writing things down can be a little victory that reminds you that you are valuable, even if you feel like everything is going wrong or seems impossible.
Reward Yourself
Be proud of your accomplishments, even if they are small. Getting a prize can make you want to keep going.
Give yourself something nice when you finish a goal. You don’t have to buy anything – you can have an at-home spa day or cook a new meal.
Consider Accountability
Tell a friend or mentor about your goals so they can help you stay on track. It’s hard to keep going when things are tough, and talking to someone can give you the push you need. They can remind you to keep going when you want to give up, and just knowing that someone else knows what you’re trying to do can make you feel more determined.
The image below summaries all the motivational strategies we discussed. In the final section, I’ll share with you some more helpful ideas.
Final Thoughts On Motivation
Staying motivated when things are tough can be done. You can create a routine, think about your feelings, imagine good outcomes, and have a set plan to help you stay positive. But if you’re still feeling down and it’s impacting your life, talking to a therapist can help you find ways to feel better and handle negative emotions.
If you have created some traction yet need my help, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Dig deeper: Click here or press the press the play button below to listen to this episode from my podcast about staying positive.
Written by Denise G. Lee
DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE
The information in this article is for informational purposes only. No material in this article or website is to be a substitute for professional medical and/or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read from me or anyone else online.
Also, this article is not designed to diagnose or treat you or anyone with a suspected mental health illness. Please, if you need help, seek appropriate help from a lawyer, health care provider or law enforcement officer.
