Ruts suck. But if you’re breathing and you’re human you probably get into them. It’s life, it happens to the best of us. And you know what? It’s okay to be human and have things out of balance. But because you probably don’t prefer to be in a rut I wanted to share 5 Ways you can Motivate Yourself when things just feel off.

These are the five things I try to focus on when I’m feeling weird and want to get pumped and motivate myself again. Disclaimer these things take time and effort it’s not like a click of a button fix. But commit to yourself, find what works for you and what makes you feel your best.

1. Surround Yourself with Motivational People

I’m sure you’ve heard it, you’re the average of the top 5 people you hang around with. Let’s go further though the top 5 people you follow on Instagram.

The 5 people whose content you consume.

If all you hear all day are people who complain or aren’t doing anything with their lives it’s going to be really hard to keep motivated.

If you’re constantly hearing positive messages from friends or “online mentors/influencers” (because this TOTALLY counts) you will definitely be a lot more motivated I promise.

Next time you’re feeling unmotivated scroll through your Instagram and analyze it. Do a little refresh. Mute or unfollow accounts that make you feel negative or just aren’t inspiring you. Follow more people who encourage you and who you can learn from.

I’m pretty hardcore about this and clean out my Social Media all the time and I’m really picky with who I follow.

2. Write Out Your Goals

So you want to motivate yourself to do something? Awesome how are you going to do it?

I am the biggest saleswoman for goal setting. You want something? You need a plan. You need a road map.

You can’t just fix a car because you really believe you can. You need to analyze it, find the problems, identify a solution and put it into action.

Take a piece of paper and write out your goals and don’t hold back. Then you need to work backward from that and set micro goals for your large ones.

You want to make more money next month? Great, that’s your main goal. Now list how you’re going to do that, maybe you’ll come up with a digital product you can sell. Now take another step back how are you going to market that? If you want that goal set dates, make it clear and precise.

Not saying wandering aimlessly never works but if you had a shortcut and a map to get you from point A to point B things would just be a lot more efficient and you’d get there SO much faster. Why waste the time? 

3. Visuals Visuals Visuals

I know it sounds silly but having visual representations of what you’re working towards – gosh I wish I understood the psychology behind it but it does some sort of witchcraft on your mind.

Good witchcraft.

I love Pinterest for this. Mood boards are something so many people use. I don’t really use Pinterest for this but if that motivates you to do it. Anytime I’m looking to put anything into action the first place I search for anything is Pinterest (over Google yes).

There’s something about visual representation that is exciting. If there’s a goal you have or something that you want to do look at pictures and get yourself psyched about it.

Seeing those aesthetically pleasing words just inspires me, I can’t explain it.

4. Go Educate Yourself

I sound like a broken record but

Education. Is. Everything.

It never ever stops. You’re always evolving as a person and I think it is never a bad idea to be evolving into someone who is smarter, and better than who you were yesterday.

You want to lose weight? There’s science behind that, learn it. You want to start a business? There’s a lot of nitty-gritty behind that, learn it. You want to travel the world? There’s information out there to help you plan, help you save money, whatever it is.

You want to do something? You totally can, you just need the tools to help with the how. 

5. Just Do It

Finally, you have your goals, you have your how, you have your inspiration but there is nothing that will motivate you more than yourself.

When you see yourself accomplishing your goals, doing the things you never thought you could do or dreamed of doing, there’s no better high and it’s addictive.

At the end of the day, you always have you. If you put your mind to something and do it you will have yourself as an example for future things. You can look back at yourself and know I can do x because I already did a, b, and c.

The feeling of pride in yourself is something you shouldn’t be afraid or ashamed of. Don’t be cocky obviously but knowing you can do something and being proud of yourself when you accomplish something is so good and will motivate you when things are hard or slow.

You want something? You can do it, go get it.