As we are all approaching towards the end of the year of 2017, it is not unheard of to start setting new goals and targets to work for towards the next year. Something we are inevitably bound to face in the work-place or life in general is: tough situations. Whether this is brought out by change of environment, or any other factor that may or may not necessarily be within our control – being able to manage and simplify complex problems should be a skill in our daily toolkit. This requires the ability to be self-motivated. But, how can you achieve that? Here are five effective ways to help.  

1.Take control on what you can, and stop worrying about what you can’t control – we’ve all been in situations where we have absolutely no power to change the situation. We usually are aware of this, but still continue to waste our energy and time worrying about it. Stop.  Not only are we wasting our mental capacity on situations out of our hand, but we are wasting our most valuable resource – which is our time. It’s important here to learn to recognize the difference between situations you can and can’t control. Becoming overly involved can cause emotional stress and put your productivity on a halt. Remember that only you can control your own actions, and not those of others! 

2.Keep a positive mind – there are many ways of keeping your cognitive state balanced and staying in happy state of mind. Whether it’s even 20 minutes of physical exercise a day, deep breathing exercise for 5 minutes every day or just taking some time out to reflect and listing out the things in life that you are thankful for – incorporate them into your daily routine. Don’t dwell too much on the negative aspects of your life. Remember that you, and only you, have the power to change things around you.  

3.Stay focused on your goals – we can admit that at times it can be easy to focus on the bad things in life. There’s always going to be few sources of negativity around you – whether negative conversations or negative thoughts brought out by people around you. This can easily derail us from our goals and ambitions – but again, don’t allow it to happen. If you find yourself caught up in a conversation that is negative in nature – then immediately change the subject to something positive. For example, try saying “I am focused on finishing this report that I’m really excited about right now.” Keep reminding yourself of your goals. Set shorter goals and work towards them step by step and ultimately you will find yourself at the finish line of success.  

4.Gain support – whether from close loved ones, a coach, or from your workplace colleagues you trust – having someone to share your thoughts and feelings can be very empowering. This is especially true at the workplace when you have goals to accomplish – being part of a team in a highly motivated state will allow you to accomplish your goals and tasks much quicker and also increase productivity. Partner with, and exchange ideas with team members and you’ll see how much happier your mind will be. 

5.If you fail to plan, you plan to fail – yes this is something we have all heard too many times. But, in all honesty, many of us fail to plan adequately. It is recommended to list your goals and targets on a journal which will help you stay accountable. Writing down your goals and agendas can also spark up new ideas you hadn’t previously thought of. Try writing down your goals a night before and then mark your progress accordingly. This will boost productivity and improve your goal outcomes. 

Credit: Iftikhar Nadeem is an Executive Coach, Organizational Development Director at KFUPM, and Vice President of the International Coach Federation (KSA). Check out: www.highenergyexecutive.com to read articles on leadership and coaching.