How to stay inspired?

Inspiration is the key to success in today's world. It doesn't matter whether you are talking about inspiring yourself to study, create, work out, eat better, think positive etc. If you want to get ahead in life, you have to have a goal, an inspiration, call it however you want. 
Bare in mind that I am not an expert, but in the following weeks I plan to give you an insight into what keeps me motivated and helps me get ahead when I am stuck in a rut, having a bad day or am simply bored. 

I am sure this has happened to everyone, you are lying in your bed, with your laptop on your lap, watching youtube videos about how to be healthy, how to be successful, how to be happy....
Well, nothing is really going to change unless you do something about it, so these are some of my personal experiences that I would like to share with the world. Also, I will be posting some additional links and inspirational people who might help in the process. 

In this first post I have decided to give a general overview about the things you can do every day in order to keep going towards the goals that you want to achieve, in the next ones I will be speaking of more specific things. Stay tuned for that as well. So here are my first few tips to stay inspired:

1. DO!
This is the first and probably most important thing. And nobody but you can make it happen! While there are some tips and tricks that can keep you going, you and only YOU have to take that first step to get where you want to be. This is much harder than it sounds, I know, believe me. But once you take it, every next step is going to be so much easier. It applies to pretty much everything. You want to start working out? Do it! Don't you even start looking for excuses! You don't have the equipment, you don't need it - use your bodies weight! You have to go to the gym to work out but don't have the time? Do an at home work out! There is an answer to every excuse, and you know it, you just have to choose to protest!
The same thing applies to everything else, studying, working, eating healthy, organizing....

2. Set realistic goals and take baby steps!
...and when you can't reach those, keep trying. If not, you are setting yourself up for failure before you even begin. Now I think it is really, really, really important to have goals. They make you work hard for what you want, but we should have boundaries and be very aware of what we are trying to achieve when setting them. It's hard not to be self critical and while that will take you far, remember to really think it through before you start criticizing. 
So don't expect things to happen over night. Work for them! But take one step at a time. 

3. Plan ahead!
This is something I find very helpful. If you have 1000000.. of things going on in your head, it is very soon going to turn into a huuuuge mess. So, first thing to do is to buy or make a planer (I personally prefer those weekly planners, but it is completely your choice) and start writing down what you have to and want to do. Another good thing to do is set reminders on your phone, so you can stay organized and know what's coming. This way every change you are making is going to be incorporated into your routine. There are so many helpful apps that can help you with this as well.

4. Have fun!
Your goals are the final destination you want to reach. But not being happy and enjoying the journey that will get you there is terrible. Try to enjoy the process. Choose what you love to be the path. If your goal is to get a degree, suck up the knowledge that is being offered to you every step of the way. Be a sponge! Don't just go through college thinking about the final result. Find what you like in every step of the way and research, inform yourself, put yourself out there. 

5. Mutual inspiration
Grab your friend, colleague, boyfriend, parent, sister... Whoever has the same aspirations as you do. Feed off of their positive energy and thoughts. But stay away from negativity and criticism. Don't let those into your life. If you want to stay on the right way towards your achievements, don't allow anyone to tell you what you can and can't do! 
Finding someone to keep you company is going to also help you enjoy the process.

6.Find your muse
This is very different for everyone, but try to find your own muse. Maybe the word muse doesn't really perfectly describe what I'm trying to say, but I think you get the picture. This can be anyone, it can be the person you chose to go through the inspiration process with, it can be a famous person, a person you know who inspires you, social media (I personally really like Pinterest), a fictional character and it can also be religion. Find what inspires you most. But don't bluntly follow others. Always keep your own personality and brain involved in the process! 

7. Think!
But don't overthink! Think about what you are doing and how your current actions are benefiting the present and future you. Instead of playing a computer game, call some friends and play a board game. Instead of drinking a can of soda, pour yourself a glass of water. The choices you consciously make are the ones that are important. 
But don't get wrapped up in your thoughts, because this can bring you to negative thinking and that you do not want in your life!

8. Relax
Allow yourself non productive moments. Go out, play a game, listen to some music or (my personal favorite) take a nap. While these things will not directly bring you closer to your goal, they will help your process. Sometimes you just need to chill so you don't get all stressed out and give up. So don't forget to make place for those moments in your day as well (as hard as that might sound).

So these are some basic tips for staying inspired that I have acquired in my life. In the following weeks I will be giving some specific tips about how to inspire your body and mind. 

That's all for now, 
stay inspired!