The Art of Self-Support and Motivation: Nurturing Your Inner Drive

As things change fast and demands are high, your biggest source of support should be yourself. Develop the habit of supporting yourself and boost your motivation for lasting strength within yourself.

Because our world moves so quickly, people can easily feel overwhelmed by the pressure in their lives. The high demands over a long period can be exhausting, confuse thoughts, and create uncertainty about which way to go.

But there’s also some great news here:

“You are your longest commitment. Learn to support and motivate yourself, and you’ll always have someone to rely on.”

When you know how to nurture your inner drive, you’re less dependent on external validation. You’re more likely to bounce back from setbacks, stay aligned with your goals, and grow from your experiences.

Self-support is when you decide to encourage, lead, and defend yourself. It involves:

• Recognizing your worth is crucial.
• Marking the things you have accomplished
• Helping yourself when you meet challenges

 

When you overlook self-care, it’s easy to see external setbacks as personal failings. Yet, this experience helps you grow stronger, more confident, and clearer in your path forward.

Regardless of how little they might feel, victories large or small should be recognized.

“Don’t wait for a milestone to feel proud—each step is progress.”

Each thing you check off your list helps you believe in yourself. Realize that your changes matter, however not obvious they may be.

Just as you’d care for a close friend in difficulty, try to care for yourself.

• Instead of criticizing yourself, treat yourself with care.
• Remember this: Everyone makes mistakes while learning, so it’s natural!

If you try to do too much without a plan, you will end up burned out. Set your objectives one step at a time rather than all at once.

• Use SMART guidelines to create your goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
• Recognize and appreciate the important steps in your journey of achievements.

Your environment shapes your way of thinking. Connect with:

• People who make you feel better
• Groups encouraging development
• People who believe in what you can do

“You become the energy you absorb—choose wisely.”

Being motivated gets you to act. It’s the fuel that powers your goals.

• Intrinsic:  Coming from your desire or reason
• Extrinsic: This means people are motivated by being rewarded or recognized.

If you want results to stick, make sure your motivation comes from within.

Your purpose helps you stay grounded emotionally.

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” Friedrich Nietzsche

Ask yourself:

• Why should this goal matter to us?
• Is this a way I can feel good about myself?

Close your eyes. Picture yourself:

• Achieving what you want
• Getting a feeling of being accomplished

Guide yourself by that feeling.

Create a list of things you’re thankful for each day. Showing gratitude can improve someone’s mood and make them more resilient.

Instead of telling yourself you’re not good enough, try

• ”I am getting better and stronger each day.”
• “I’m learning and growing every day.”

Taking the same steps daily prevents feeling tired from deciding and helps you form habits.

• Try to go to bed and get up at about the same time every day.
• Make sure you have time for all three: working, resting, and enjoying yourself.
• Try to use tools like planners or apps that help you become more organized.

Motivation is strongest when your body and brain are working together.

• Sleep well.
• Make sure you have healthy food every day.
• Try to move your body every day.

Reading and Listening to inspiring stories can help you view things differently and stay excited.

“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.”-Jim Rohn.

Podcasts provide listeners with daily motivation from leading thinkers, expert speakers and non-famous heroes.

List out those you feel inspired by. Observe their

• Mindset
• Habits
• Reactions in the face of difficulty

Failure is not the end; it is a stepping stone.

Replace the thought of failure with the usefulness of feedback.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that count.” Winston Churchill

Ask:

• What mistake was made?
•  how was the mistake made? 
•  why was the mistake made?
• What should I do next time in similar situations to correct the mistake?

Placing too much pressure on ourselves for too long can make us lose motivation. Make sure to take breaks throughout your schedule.

• Short walks
• Deep breathing
• 5-minute journaling

There are days when everything we try to motivate ourselves just doesn’t seem to work.

• Therapists help people overcome difficulties they have with their emotions.
• Coaches give you tools and keep you accountable.
• Sound groups are opportunities to experience and share difficulties.

Taking steps to get assistance- supports you.

Self-encouragement is a process that you continue all of your life. Guiding makes you focus, take care, and keep practising.

• Every little thing you achieve counts.
• Being good to yourself makes you stronger.
• Figuring out why you’re doing something makes it easier to stay motivated.
• There will be failures along the way.

“You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise L. Hay.

• Self-support means realizing how much you are worth and remaining nice to yourself.
• Purpose, structure, and inspiration help to keep motivation alive.
• Doing small actions every day, like visualizing, being grateful, and keeping to routines, helps a lot.
• Failures don’t mean you failed; they mean you’re learning.
• Bring in assistance if you need it—doing so is a powerful thing.

• When times get tough, what inspires you? 
• Which of the suggested strategies do you think would work best for you? 
• Share your thoughts in the comments.

“Inside Out: How to Embrace Happiness, Authenticity, and a Positive Outlook on Life” https://observations.in/live-happy/