Simple Ways to Motivate Yourself Every Day

There are myriad psychology models and theories on what motivates us to do the things we do: how we respond to incentives, achievement theories and so on.So how can you remain motivated in a simple way that works every single day? Here are ten ways:

1. Take a Break, You Deserve it

The only way we can perform at an optimal level is create time for rest. The moment you know you can't take any time off is usually when you need it most.
So take that long delayed vacation, and return to your business with renewed enthusiasm.

2. Keep Your Cards Close to Your Chest

Finally running that marathon? Excited about your new diet? Bursting at the seams over your new project? Good. Keep it to yourself.
Announcing your intent to do these feats will backfire. Resist the urge to reap the barrage of Facebook likes, and gushing comments. The positive feedback you receive from you network will trick your brain into thinking you've already accomplished your goal, sabotaging your once-motivated brain to do said feat.
So keep it to yourself and share the good news once you've already done it.

3. Confront Death, and Define Your Legacy

Death is a powerful motivator. We get bogged down in mindless activities. They make us feel like we're accomplishing things, when in reality we're just spinning in circles.
Knowing that you have finite time on this planet helps to sharpen your focus. Everything we do is another step in defining our legacy. This may seem like heady posturing, but both can be powerful motivators.

4. Celebrate the Little Wins, No Matter How Small

Little wins may seem like just that. Little.
Celebrating these wins can help to create positive habits. You break the inertia of mediocrity by teaching everyone around you how to win. They get the chance to bask in that emotion.
Vishen Lakhiani, CEO of Mindvalley has gone so far as implementing what he calls the "Awesome Bell." Which he rings (you guessed it) anytime something awesome happens.

5. Slash Your To-Do List in Half

Slashing your aggressive "to do list" in half will allow room for success. Knowing that it's realistic for you to complete the list is empowering.

6. Be Gentle with Yourself  

Stop comparing the accomplishments in your life with those of your neighbor.  The story you create in your head will never be as good, and the reality will never be as bad.
There are many people who are smarter than you. The moment you can embrace this notion - you're free. Free to explore. Free to follow what excites you. Free to ignore what they do, or how they do it, and focus on you.

7. Do What You Love (sort of)

Find what it is you love to do and get proficient at it. Success dwells at the fulcrum of passion and excellence.
But be careful. Make sure that you can make a living from your passion. I'm passionate about a lot of things that I know I'm not so amazing at and that I definitely can't make a living at. I love playing guitar. My daughter loves when I play songs from the movie, Frozen. It's fun. I'm never going to be a rock star.

8. Focus

There is a an anecdote I've heard about Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and Gates' father at a dinner party. A guest asked them what the most important quality for success was today and all three responded, "focus" at the same exact time. They all smiled and laughed to each other because they hadn't really prepared the answer.
We are all inundated with texts and emails. These are no longer just work interruptions. Because of the mini-computers we carry around in our pockets, the flood of information distracts us wherever we happen to be, 24/7.
So turn off your iPhone, stop trolling your ex-lover's Facebook page and get to work.

Written by Chris Demmy