Surround yourself with positive people who support and uplift you, as they will help you stay on the right track
Photographer: Jordi Salas
I’m sure you have experienced those days when life sings with positive momentum. You know the kind – where everything seems to align effortlessly. In contrast, there are times where nothing seems to go right, leaving us feeling stuck and unmotivated. Moving out of this space can often feel incredibly difficult. You need to be able to reroute and build positive momentum despite challenges with some practical steps.
1. Start small
Small incremental steps are the best way to encourage positive momentum. As humans, we are creatures of habit and change often feels uncomfortable and insurmountable. This is what keeps us stuck. However, by actioning small daily rituals, we can gradually break free from our comfort zones and realise feeling better can be easier than we first anticipated. These tiny habits stack up over time to create lasting change. Remind yourself to keep going, it gets easier.
2. Know where you want to go
You can’t get to a destination without a map, right? The same applies to our own journey in life. Take the time to clarify your goals and understand what you truly wish to achieve. Get crystal clear and write it down. Visualise how it feels when you get there. Come back to this feeling every time you veer off-track. Personally, I find writing the larger goals first, and then working my way backwards to create the small daily habits is the easiest, most achievable route.
3. Never stop learning
Taking action is easier said than done. If you find yourself unsure of where to start, I encourage you to invest time in learning and gaining the skills necessary to take the next step. We are spoilt for choice these days with an abundance of personal growth resources – with just a quick Google search you’ll find books, podcasts, and online courses that align with your interests and goals. Continual learning will fuel your momentum and keep you motivated.
4. Celebrate your small wins
It is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture when working towards a goal. Tunnel vision can creep in, making us feel defeated when the going gets tough. For this reason, it’s imperative to acknowledge and find joy in daily progress, no matter how small it might seem. When you celebrate your wins, you reinforce the belief you have in yourself, fuelling your momentum even further. In my opinion, this might be the most beautiful celebration of all.
Photography: Alena Frolova
5. Create a positive supportive network
We become who we spend the majority of our time with, so having a positive network of friends and family will make a world of difference to your daily thoughts and doings. Surround yourself with people who support and uplift you, as they will help you stay on the right track. Feeling lonely in this department? Seek out like-minded people through healthy activities, exercise classes, or support groups. See this as a wonderful opportunity to form new friendships.
6. Embrace courage
Sometimes, all it takes to bring about significant change is a mere 20 seconds of bravery. It’s empowering to know that in one small moment, you can make a life-changing decision that pushes you outside of your comfort zone entirely. If you take away one tip today, I hope it’s to take a leap of faith for yourself. Make that phone call or start that project you’ve been putting off. Courage is the catalyst for everything possible.
7. Don’t let the difficult days take hold
Even when we have good momentum, it’s inevitable that we will encounter setbacks along the way. If you are having a rough day, remind yourself that you have the power to reverse it. Engage in activities that make you feel better and reset the positive switch in your mind. Whether it’s going for a walk, enjoying a cup of tea, or engaging in a hobby you love, find ways to shift your mood and get back on track. Watching a silly comedy or listening to uplifting music usually works for me – especially when I feel resistant to pulling myself out of the funk.
Read next: 5 tips on how to embrace imperfection
Words: Eleanor Cripps.
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