Spice Up Your Brain
Has it been a while since you've been a student? Are you trying to decide if continuing your education is the right path for you? Do you want to improve your job skills or learn a new one? Do you want to improve your brain, be better you, and improve your situation in life? There are any number of reasons people go back to school as an adult, but getting motivated to do so is almost always a chore. There are some simple things you can do that will help you get and stay motivated to go back to school and achieve your education goals. Here are some steps to get the motivation ball rolling:
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Step #1: Make a plan.
A plan help you see how far you've come and how far you have to go. Knowing is the first step to getting motivated to do. As part of your plan, set goals and stepping stones to get you where you want to go. Goals motivate you to a better future, and stepping stones help you see how you are achieving your goals of a better you. Write down the dates you plan to achieve your goals. If you have a date in mind, it keeps you motivated to work on your goals now rather than later. A plan keeps you motivated to move in the right direction, especially when it comes to going back to school and learning new skills.
Step #2: Ensure your supports.
You can't go back to school and stay motivated to get it done without support. Your family, friends, and teachers all have to be with you. One person working against you can do more to slow your motivational ball than fifty people behind you. Ensure that those who are close to you will support you every step of the way. Talk to them and share your plan, dreams, and goals so they know what you are doing and what you expect from them. Support for your goals may be the one factor that makes or breaks your willpower. Ensure your supports before you start.
Step #3: Take the plunge.
If you have a plan, have support, and you still don't know if you are ready to go back to school, get yourself motivated by taking the plunge. Do something (or have someone else do something) that gets you moving. Sign up for classes, pay for your testing, buy books, or take a sabbatical from work. Do something for yourself that doesn't leave you room to turn back and lose your motivation. For example, if you are lacking motivation to go from a bachelor's straight to a master's degree, pay for the MCAT or equivalent exam for your master's program. Take the plunge, take a step that doesn't give you room to loose heart without making a big sacrifice. When the sacrifice will cost more than staying motivated to go back to school, you'll stay on target and get it done.
Step #4: Take time for yourself.
Once you are in the midst of school, getting busy, not having time for anything can make you lose your motivation to keep going. Don't cut out the activities that give you joy in the journey just because you are trying to make time for everything else. If you play a sport, keep participating. If you enjoy games, keep playing. If you need a break, take one. Taking time for yourself to relax and have fun is important to achieving your goals.
