Hello everyone and welcome to Your Educational Podcast, I am your host, Dr. Anthony and today's podcast is titled "Why not create a motivational checklist?" What is motivation? For me, motivation helps me achieve my goals. Motivation is the bridge between my dream and my reality. For example, if I need to lose twenty pounds I first have to make a pledge to doing so. I would visualize myself being twenty pounds lighter. I would then arrange to make the essential steps to begin achieving my goal. I will start by reading books on weight loss, listening to dietitians, talking with more people who have successfully lost and achieved their perfect weight, and to consistently expose myself to motivational elements to maintain a healthy positive attitude.

But how can you maintain a strong positive attitude? It may be foolish to rely on an individual to keep you motivated. So that is why I created my own motivational checklist. It is merely a listing of activities that I incorporate into my daily living to help me stay focused and motivated. I would like to share with you a tiny sample of my motivational checklist. The foremost thing on my list is to read inspirational stories. Reading about an individual's journey, accomplishments, successes, and triumph over impossible odds, reassures us that it is practical to make our dreams come true. Next, I decorate my room with motivational posters. Whether I am sitting at my desk or lying on my bed, I am being continually bombarded by good images. Number three on my list is a reminder that I should exercise a little every day. Actually, I set aside anywhere from thirty to forty five minutes a day for some type of physical exercise. Not only will you look good, but it also helps reduce stress. Number four; surround yourself with positive minded people. If you desire to thrive in life and reach your goals, you need to identify yourself with people that have similar attitudes, and with those that also desire to be successful.

Number five, watching movies also helps me stay focused, and release stress. You need to be smart and choose movies that will lift up your spirits. You should leave the movie theater feeling excited, motivated, and saying to yourself "wow that was a great film". Number six, another powerful motivational tool is music. Now that MP3s have become as commonplace as the cell phone, we can take our favorite music with us anywhere we please. I customize my music for the morning, afternoon, and evening. I occasionally love to hear to a little classical music, while I am studying. Listening to music while you read may not function for you, but give it a shot and see how it works. You can listen to your favorite music while you are traveling on the bus, train, or anywhere that is designated a safe area. Number seven, every month I buy something new for myself. It doesn't have to be very expensive; the crucial thing is that you are doing something for yourself.

Having a motivational checklist is an interesting way to keep yourself focused on your short and long-term goals without getting bored. Do you have any motivational ideas, if so; I would wish to hear from you. So mail in your motivational ideas to us and tell your friends about our website. I like to thank my students around the world for listening to Your Educational Podcast; this is your host, Dr. Anthony, signing off. All parts of Your Educational Podcastand Video is written and published by Dr Anthony.