Do you want to know the secret to getting motivated?

Like, the real secret?

Reasons.

We do what we do for a reason. It's not necessarily logical. It could be something as rational as staying in a bad relationship because you think no one else will love you.

Absurd, of course, but still a reason.

So if you want to get motivated, you have to attach the right reasons to the things you want. Do it well enough and you'll feel that urge to act...the holy grail of personal change.

How do you come up with them? There are several options, but one of the most effective is asking questions.

Today I'm going to give you 36.

Don't rush. Don't skim. Seriously think about the questions and how they relate to your goals. The deeper you dig for the core answers, the more motivated you'll be.

How will working toward and reaching your goal affect your happiness? How will you feel about yourself? How will you feel about life in general? Will it affect your moods and attitude? Will it give you peace of mind? Excitement? Hope?

How will working toward and achieving your goal affect your intelligence? Will it require you to learn new things? Broaden your perspective? Understand previously confusing concepts?

How will working toward and achieving your goal affect your health? (This is obvious for health-related goals, but reasons revolving around health play a role in many, many areas. Think of the stress that comes from a struggling marriage and the relief that comes from fixing it.) Will success give you more energy? Will it reduce or eliminate disease? Will it make you live longer?

How will working toward and achieving your goal affect your family? Will it give them more safety and security? Will it make you into a smarter/stronger/better father or mother? Husband or wife? Will it strengthen your marriage or your bond with the kids?

How about your friendships? Will it give you more free time to spend with them? More opportunity to help them?

How will working toward and achieving your goal affect your job? Will it open doors? Will it lead to a raise or promotion? Will it secure your position in the company? Will it give you the chance to strike out on your own?

How will working toward and achieving your goal affect your money? Will it give you more? Will it ease financial worries? Will it make a comfortable retirement possible? Will it make donating to charities, causes, and people easier? Will it save your house? Marriage? Sanity?

These questions skim the surface. Because you know your goals better than anyone, you'll be able to dig deeper and ask more pointed questions.

But the key is to start asking questions.

As you do, the compelling reasons you need to feel motivated will be yours.

Talk soon,

Jason
Founder, Motivation123
Author, Shifting the Balance