1) Choose Who You Want To Be.

One of the most effective ways to keep yourself motivated towards achieving your goals in life is to decide what sort of person you want to be. First of all look at the areas of your life that you want to be different, e.g.: losing weight, finding a new job, stop smoking. Then ask yourself "Who do I need to BE in order to make this happen?" "What qualities to I need to bring out of myself in order to achieve my goals?"

For instance, I recently made the decision that I wanted to become slimmer, fitter and healthier so in order to achieve my goal I told myself that I needed to BE someone who took good care of her body. I needed to BE someone who was determined and had the ability to keep going when the going gets tough. Having made the decision to BE this person I then asked myself what actions do I need to take in order to achieve my goal.

One of the most important questions you can ever ask yourself is this: "Who do I want to BE?" It's your choice. You can BE that person.

2) Make Up Your Own Rules

This is such a simple and yet very powerful concept.

The idea is that you make up rules that you will follow in order to achieve your goals. For example: I made up the rule that I would go to three gym classes every week. I also made up a rule that I would get up and out of bed by a certain time every day and go for a long walk every Sunday. I would suggest that you start off with small easy to achieve rules and work your way up.

Or you could make up a rule to do less! e.g.: leave work by a certain time each day. Whatever you want - they are your rules!

I've found this strategy especially helpful when I just lacked the self-discipline to get moving and make change happen. It also has the add on effect that if all you do for the day is follow your rules then you will have the satisfaction from knowing that you have done something towards your goals.

Taking appropriate action towards your goals can lead to feeling more motivated as success becomes within sight and more motivation stimulates more action. Action and motivation complement each other.

What rules do you want to make up to keep the momentum going?

3) Set Up a Structure

A structure can be anything that will help to remind you of your goals, vision, purpose or actions that you need to take on a daily basis it can also provide you with a means of measuring the action you are taking towards success.

Some examples of structures are:

- using your diary or calendar on your computer to remind you of a specific action you need to take. Computers or mobile phones are good for this as they usually have some sort of alarm.

- set up an achievement list. At the end of every day write down everything you have achieved towards your success.

- if you have a favourite ring or piece of jewelry wear it as a visual reminder to be who you want to be.

What structure would work for you?

4) Make Sure Your Goal Is Something You Truly Desire.

If you goal does not honour your most deeply held values, then let it go. Simple as that.

5) Hold Yourself Accountable.

As a coach I hold my clients accountable for the actions they have agreed to take and you can do this for yourself by telling a good friend, parent or spouse about a specific action you have agreed to do. There is something very powerful about being held accountable for your actions. You are more likely to follow through.

Janice Robertson is a very experienced Certified, Professional Life Coach and Career Transition Coach. She specialises in helping people to make successful career transitions into exciting and fulfilling new careers. Subscribe to her newsletter at Website: http://www.designyourlife.uk.com and receive your FREE e-course: "5 SECRETS TO A SUCCESSFUL CAREER TRANSITION" Janice coaches by telephone so you can connect wherever you are in the world and she also offers face to face coaching if you live in London, UK. Tel: 020 8 341 6698