We all go through periods of feeling stuck.

Breaking through our limitations can feel impossible at first.

So, where do you start?

Here are a few simple ways to get motivated.

Embrace a Growth Mindset

Build resilience into your perspective by asking for growth, leaning in toward discomfort, and being willing to try new things. If you give yourself permission to fail, you might empower yourself to take a greater risk. Ask yourself, what would happen if I went for it instead of holding back?

Set Realistic Habits and Goals

Be realistic with your goals. Break them into small chunks. You will build momentum and avoid discouragement if you take on a reasonable amount of change at a time, rather than trying to do too many things at once.

Own Your Time

Time management is key. How often do you find yourself thinking, “I don’t have time for that.” Or, “I would go for my goals, but there’s not enough time.”

Shift your perspective on time, own your calendar, and figure out what parts of your day are wasting your time.

Understand Your Biggest Challenges

In order to uncover what’s been holding you back, you may need to untangle some of your subconscious beliefs. Are there fears that are keeping you from trying to reach your goals? Are these fears rational or irrational?

What do you believe to be your biggest weaknesses or areas for improvement?

How open are you to exploring these and working toward change?

Consider Your Perspective

How can you embrace the most authentic version of yourself?

What beliefs have led you to this moment?

Can you explore new, more open-minded philosophies? For example, the theory of non duality emphasizes that you are never apart from your most basic self, the self that has likely always existed and likely always will. This can help you identify with something outside of the chaos of the outside world, and instead provides a universal constant that grounds you and helps you feel more secure in yourself.

Take Small Steps

What is one concrete action that you can take today to lead you toward your goal?

Consider making this something very small, so that you have no excuses not to do it. Say your goal is to run a marathon. For today, just hold yourself accountable to putting your running shoes on and taking a two minute walk. Just two minutes.

Chances are, once you’re out, you may end up wanting to walk for longer but this way there is no pressure requiring you to take on too much at once. As you move through small goals, you build momentum and can help avoid feeling discouraged, shameful or frustrated in the process.

Small steps matter, and they will help you move toward a new norm that is sustainable.

View Challenges as Opportunities

As we all know, adversity affects each of us in different ways. We can’t avoid it. But what if we could extend gratitude towards the struggles we face?

What if our challenges are the moments that will make us the strongest, best versions of ourselves?

Make a practice of asking questions that start with, “What if…?”

What if this challenge that feels insurmountable is actually going to be easier than you think?

What if you could achieve double what you’ve planned on achieving?

What if the love in your heart could outweigh your fear and take you farther than you ever thought possible?

Have a Plan for the Hard Days

Motivation doesn’t last forever. What will you do on the days when you feel tired, defeated or lonely? What purpose sits behind your action? What will you focus on when you want to give up?

Visualize Success

Can you picture what it will feel like to cross the finish line?

Have you imagined yourself stepping into the office on the first day of work at your new job?

Imagine the money in your bank account, imagine hugging the partner you’ve been searching for, imagine your dream vacation booked, imagine feeling more at peace with yourself.

Let yourself visualize success.