August Thoughts with Amber
Getting yourself motivated can be easy.
When we act from a space of "should", it rarely feels good, we seldom do our best, and the forced motivation will not last very long.
Forcing ourselves to do things is a tough way to approach life - emotionally, physically, or even financially. Instead, when you want to transform any area of your life, you're far more likely to be successful if it's easy for you.
Here's how motivation can be easy... you hack it.
Step #1: Understand your real why.
When you link your "why" to something truly important to you, you're far more likely to keep it up. Instead of meditating for ten minutes every day because you think you "should," uncover your real why. Maybe you notice you're more calm and more patient when you meditate in the mornings. Maybe you drink less coffee and feel less jittery on days when you meditate. Maybe you sleep better at night when you meditate before bed. When you know your why, it's far easier to keep it up.
Step #2: Link it to a Habit.
Link the new habit to something you already do at the same time of day or in the same space as the new intended habit. If you want to start meditating before bed and you already take a shower before bed each night, link the two. Maybe meditate while you're in the shower. Maybe dry yourself off then sit on the edge of your bed in your towel and do a four-part breathing meditation. Starting a new habit is far easier when you don't start from scratch.
Step #3: Set the Stage.
Make it as easy as possible for you to do the thing you want to do. This could be telling people in your family about your new intended habit and specifically letting them know how they could be helpful to you. If it's a nighttime meditation routine you want to start, set up an area for yourself (mine is in my closet), get earplugs, find a meditation app you like, or put your favorite cozy blanket in your meditation area and anoint it your "meditation blanket".
Remember...
The easier you can make it, the more likely you are to actually do it.
The more you actually do it, the more you'll see the benefits show up in your life.
The more you see the benefits in your life, the easier it becomes to do it again and again. And again.
Amber Trueblood is a member of the MBDY community. She is a licensed therapist, author, speaker, mother of four sons, and of course, dancer. She has over 25 years of experience in mental health, and co-founded The M.E.C.A. Project to help teens and young adults thrive Mentally and Emotionally through Conscious Awareness. Amber has been featured in People, Oprah Magazine, CNN, Motherhood Maternity, KTLA5, Good Day LA, and many more. Learn more about Amber at www.ambertrueblood.com.