Feeling demotivated is no fun. It can be like being stuck in a dark tunnel that’s hard to get out. You try to crawl out, but the walls seem to close in at times. But what if I told you that there's a way out? Mindfulness and meditation can be the shining light that guides you out of the darkness and onto the path of greater motivation and peace!

Take Oprah Winfrey for example. This powerhouse of a woman starts her day with a meditation practice, which she credits for helping her stay motivated, despite the many challenges she's faced. She grew up in poverty and suffered greatly as a child. Meditation has helped her on her healing journey, and she certainly seems very motivated.

So, if you're feeling like you're stuck in a rut, here are three tips to help you use mindfulness to give yourself a little boost:

Start super small. This is one of my favourite tips, and I use it every time my motivation wanes. Whatever task you face, begin with taking one, conscious breath. Then, break your task down into the smallest, most manageable steps possible and focus on completing just one step at a time. This will help you to stay motivated and on track, instead of feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand. For example, if you can face doing all the dishes, just wash one piece of cutlery. Don’t want to get out of bed, but you need to? Just lift a tiny corner of your duvet up. Try it - it works!

Practice self-compassion. Being hard on ourselves can be demotivating. Instead of criticising yourself for not being motivated, try to be kind and understanding towards yourself. Remember that it's normal to have ups and downs, and that everyone struggles with motivation from time to time. Say to yourself ‘I’m not feeling pumped today and that’s ok. It’s probably because of X, Y and Z. If I’m hard on myself, I’ll feel even worse. Let me be my own best friend and say kind words to myself’.

Make micro mindfulness a part of your daily routine. Why wait for motivation to hit you like a bolt of lightning when you can make it a daily habit? Make "micro mindfulness" a part of your daily routine, and you'll see a steady stream of motivation flow through you. Instead of thinking of mindfulness as a big, time-consuming task, think of it as small, manageable moments of focus and intention. Take a mindful walk during lunch break, focus on your breath while waiting for the bus or simply take a few deep breaths before starting a new task. These micro mindfulness practices can be done anytime, anywhere, and they can make all the difference in your motivation levels. By weaving mindfulness into the fabric of your daily routine, you'll be able to stay motivated, focused, and present in the moment, so you can tackle whatever challenges come your way.

Summary

Feeling demotivated doesn't have to be a permanent state. By incorporating mindfulness and meditation into your daily routine, you can give yourself a little boost and guide yourself out of the darkness and onto the path of motivation and light. Happy mindfulness journey my friends!