How to have Good Days and be More Motivated

Despite your willpower and efforts to succeed there are times that your motivation seems to fall off a cliff.

These situations are quite normal and luckily there are some simple tips to help you get through these times, so you can have good days and lift your motivation.

Start The Day With Positivity

Have you ever woken up on the wrong side of the bed? Most of us have, and it can influence your whole day. If negativity can last from the moment you wake up until you lay to rest at night, then so can positivity.

Create a routine that gets you into the frame of mind required to keep you going through the day.

Decide on a routine for the start of your day that sets you up for a positive day. That might be exercising, journaling, meditating, reading. listening to podcasts, walking the dog, or something else.

Remember the way you stand and if you smile can have a positive impact on your mood.

If you don’t know what starts your day best for you, just try something. Think back to days that have been really positive, how did you start those days?

The right mindset at the right time can be a game-changer.

Declutter Your Environment

Clear away things that get in your way, in your home and in your studio. Throw out, give away or repurpose things that bring you no joy and that you never use.

Having an environment you enjoy can help reduce stress and support a positive mood, as well as give you space to create more new things.

You could declutter:

Broken tools, dried out paint tubes, your collection of 1000 jars (even though you have new jars added every week)

Art materials you will never use again

Anything out of date lurking in your bathroom cabinets and kitchen pantry.

Clothes that don’t fit or you no longer like.

Emails crowding your inbox

Apps on your phone that you never use

Old papers – documents, bills, receipts etc. (Be sure to upload and save receipts for taxes, and keep at least one copy of all documents relating to your career like opening invitations, catalogues, press clippings and so on).

Rejection letters (who needs them?! Answer – nobody)

Artworks that you would never show another person (be sure to document them for your own records though)

Things you have kept ‘just in case’

Meditate using Your Own Mantra or Affirmation

Meditating is an all effective, cost-efficient method of motivating yourself. It’s long been referred to as a means of finding inner peace.

Meditation can help you clear up your mind, rid yourself of anxiety and frustrations. You can add in a positive affirmation or mantra to repeat during mediation and anchor in your art goals.

There are no exact means of meditating so you can come up with your own. As long as you’re comfortable and you can find calm, that will do fine.

Check Your Health

Good health and self-care have a big impact on mood, especially getting enough good sleep. Exercise, eat a healthy diet and drink enough water.

Give yourself sufficient time for self-care, you can incorporate your favourite art activities – set yourself an “art miles” target for exercise – walk around galleries, walk around the park for inspiration.

End the Day with Gratitude

Take some time to wind down at the end of the day and reflect on the day. How is your art going? Did you manage to get some work done today?

Think of:

Three things you are grateful for – write them down, say them out loud, share them with a loved one

Two things you are pleased that you did that day- write them down, say them out loud, share them with a loved one

One person who you want to express appreciation to, (and do that within 24 hours)

I hope some of these tips help you to have more good days