Start small, keep a log, picture the end result: 17 experts' top tips on how to stay motivated

Experts are urging those struggling to stay motivated to start small and focus on tiny victories. Chrissie Wellington, four-time Ironman triathlon world champion, suggests taking one small step at a time - as she does when training for her races. Even a single step can create momentum.

To boost motivation, it's essential to engage all of your senses, says Adriene Mishler, host of Yoga with Adriene. Lighting a candle while listening to soothing music or stepping outside to feel the sun on your skin can help you get in the right mindset for tackling daunting tasks.

Another effective strategy is to set short, manageable goals - such as focusing for just 15 minutes without distractions. This approach can make even the most tedious tasks more bearable and increase productivity.

Lying to yourself can also be a helpful tactic when motivation dips. For polar explorer Ann Daniels, having a small figurine called Clive by her side provides comfort and helps her push through tough moments.

Additionally, keeping a log of your progress can be a powerful motivator. Cal Newport, author of Deep Work, recommends tracking hours spent on deep, cognitively demanding tasks to stay motivated and inspired.

For those struggling with procrastination, taking device-free breaks can help reorient your mindset and settle your mind. Chris Bailey, author of Hyperfocus, suggests going for a walk around the block without any distractions to clear your head and gain new insights.

Before starting any decluttering or organizing project, it's essential to visualize how the newly organized space will make you feel. For Mel Carruthers, owner of More Organised, imagining the ease and calm that comes with having everything in its place is a powerful motivator.

Finally, experts emphasize the importance of not waiting for motivation but rather focusing on creating momentum through small victories. Craig Hoareau, owner of A Tidy Mind London, reminds us that real change is a process and that starting small can lead to significant progress over time.
 
Ugh, I'm so over the "motivation" articles πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ. Can't we just get something done already? Like, take one small step at a time, sure, but where's the practicality in that? Can't they give us some actionable tips on how to actually make progress without getting bogged down in feel-good nonsense πŸ’β€β™€οΈ. And don't even get me started on the "devices-free breaks" πŸ“΅. Who has time for that when you have actual work to do?!
 
πŸ™„ You know what's funny? Everyone's talking about taking tiny steps and making it easy for themselves. I mean, come on! We're adults here. If we want something bad enough, shouldn't we just go out there and do it already? πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ Set a big goal, crush it, and then see if you can even remember what motivation feels like. And don't even get me started on all these "small steps" people are talking about. 15 minutes without distractions? What's next, taking 5-minute breaks to drink water? 🀣 Get real, people.
 
omg i think its all about findin that balance between doin the tiny stuff n focusin on the bigger picture πŸ€”... like, dont try 2 change ur life in an hour but instead break it down into these tiny steps n celebrate every lil win πŸŽ‰... and yaaas, lighting a candle while listenin to soothing tunes is defo da way 2 go 😌
 
🀯 I'm totally with Chrissie Wellington on this one! I mean, I've seen her crush it in Ironman triathlons and she's got the whole "one step at a time" thing down pat. And you're right, even just taking that first step can make all the difference. Like, I was feeling stuck on this writing project of mine for weeks and then I just started with one paragraph. Boom! Got momentum going in no time. πŸ“πŸ’¨
 
i think its all about finding what works for u, if takin 15 min goals dont work then maybe try a different approach like lighting a candle or havin clive figurine lol @ all these tips but honestly what really gets me pumped is just gettin stuff done and makin progress regardless of how small it may seem
 
I'm not convinced about these tiny victory tips πŸ€”. I mean, isn't it just a fancy way of saying "break tasks into smaller pieces so you don't feel overwhelmed"? It sounds like a lot of personal responsibility rather than acknowledging that maybe some tasks are inherently tedious and need to be tackled head-on πŸ’ͺ. Where's the evidence that these small steps actually lead to sustained motivation? Just seems like a bunch of feel-good advice from experts without any hard data to back it up πŸ“Š.
 
πŸ€” I'm all about tiny wins, you know? Like, remember when we used to have those old dial-up internet connections and waiting for what felt like forever just to load a single webpage? Man, it was so frustrating... but now that I think about it, having to wait for something to load gave us time to, like, actually focus on whatever we were doing! πŸ˜‚

But seriously, taking small steps towards your goals is the way to go. It's like Chrissie Wellington said, "One step at a time" is key. And I love how Adriene Mishler talks about using all our senses to get in the right mindset. Lighting a candle and listening to some soothing tunes... it's like a mini-vacation from the task at hand! πŸ•―οΈπŸŽΆ

And don't even get me started on setting short, manageable goals. Like, remember when you used to have to log out of your favorite online game every 30 minutes or so? It was so annoying... but now I see it as a necessary evil to avoid burnout! πŸ˜‚

I guess what I'm saying is, motivation is overrated. What really matters is finding ways to make the process enjoyable and rewarding. And if that means taking breaks, decluttering your space, or just making a cup of coffee... then so be it! β˜•οΈ
 
You know how back in 2015 I used to listen to those old-school motivational YouTube videos by Tony Robbins? Now it seems like we've come full circle and everyone's talking about taking it one step at a time 🀯... but honestly, it feels kinda retro 😊. Like, who doesn't already know that starting small and focusing on tiny victories is key? It's just another way of saying the same thing we've been hearing since my grandpa used to tell me to "get off your bum" when I was a kid πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ... anyway, it's all good vibes!
 
I got this motivation thing backwards - I thought it was about crushing your goals in one day, but nope! Taking tiny steps and focusing on those wins sounds way more relatable. 🀣 I mean who hasn't had a moment where you're like "okay, I'll just take a 15-minute break and then I'll be back to adulting"? πŸ˜‚ Lighting some candles and feeling the sun on your skin? Sounds like a solid excuse to Netflix and chill...I mean, stay motivated! πŸ“Ί Anyway, who knew having Clive the figurine by their side could make such a difference? My pet chicken, Mr. Fluffy, is my Clive - he's always there for me when I'm feeling down πŸ˜‚.
 
I think it's so cool how these experts are saying we don't gotta try to be all motivated at once lol πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ... like, even taking one tiny step is what matters πŸ’ͺ... it's all about building up that momentum πŸ’¨... and I'm def low-key inspired by Chrissie Wellington's approach πŸŠβ€β™€οΈ... lighting a candle while listening to soothing music sounds sooo relaxing 😌
 
🀯 small wins are everything πŸ’ͺ if you're struggling to get started, just start with something ridiculously easy like taking 5 deep breaths or doing one tiny push-up, don't overthink it πŸ™„
 
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