Some days, our goals and plans are very motivational, and we have no problem jumping in and getting to work.  You know how it is.  When your motivation to get into shape is high, it’s not so hard to pull on your running shoes and get out the door.  When you’re excited about your business, it’s easy to come up with content for your blog or call prospects on the phone.

But some days, even when you’re still philosophically on board with your plans, it’s hard to muster up the inclination to do the thing you know you must do.  Even worse are those days when you question why you’re even in it in the first place.  You have a sinking feeling that your plans will never work, or that it will always be too hard and not worth the effort.

The problem is that when we give in to those feelings, we sabotage ourselves.  Then, on the days when our motivation is high, we kick ourselves for backsliding.

Tony Robbins says, “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.”

Often, it’s not the big decisions that causes a person to fail.  It’s the failure to make the right small decisions, repeatedly.  If you eat too much junk food today, it probably won’t have a longterm effect on your health.  In fact, if you follow a healthy food plan meticulously for just one day, you won’t see a change on the number on the bathroom scales.  So even though we know that it makes a difference, on some level, we’ve just proven to ourselves that our actions have no consequences.

Even though we know that we do.

So, on those days when we just can’t seem to slog through those small, seemingly inconsequential decisions because we just don’t have the energy or inclination, what should we do?  (After all, the article title did promise you some tips!)

1. Do a small amount.  If you’re rationalizing yourself out of your morning run, negotiate with yourself.  Promise yourself that if you just putting on your running clothes and your running shoes, you only have to run to the end of the block.  Chances are you’ll want to keep going after you get there.  But if you don’t want to keep going, do keep your promise to yourself and run on back home.  If it’s labour-intensive work you’re avoiding, set the timer on your smartphone for 15 minutes, and promise yourself 10 minutes to surf the internet or goof off after the timer goes off.

2. Go back to your vision. Why did you set this goal to begin with?  What will your life be like next year at this time, or five years from now, if you fail to achieve this goal?  And what will it be like if you achieve it?  For me, interviews with people who have achieved what I want to achieve are motivational.  I especially love to listen to podcast interviews.  Often, just hearing how someone went from where I am to where I want to be proves to me that it can be done, and helps me renew my resolve.

3. Hit the reset button. Use this tip judiciously. Don’t make it a habit.  But when you find you’re ready to throw in the towel and you just can’t do it anyore, call the day a wash, and close it down.  Have a healthy supper, spend time with loved ones, and go to bed early.  Get up early tomorrow morning, drink a full glass of water, take a hot shower, and eat a power breakfast.  I promise you that your outlook will change!

Feeling discouraged and unmotivated is normal.  In fact, you should expect to feel this way sometimes.  But don’t let these feelings derail you from your purpose.