Motivation is the encouragement you need to perform better and achieve more. Motivation comes from within yourself. You need it to succeed just like a plant needs water.

To be successful you not only need confidence but you also must take the actions you have to take. You do things you are motivated to do.

Focus on your achievements, and your future goals to become more motivated. Decide what achieving those goals will mean for you, your friends and family, your community and the world as a whole.

To be more motivated:

Start with your goal: 'what do you want?'
Start each day focusing on your main priorities.
Think about your goal all day long.
Have an action plan.
Make sure you take a small step towards what you want every day.

Some days you may have bigger bursts of activity in relation to your goals and on those days you find a huge amount of motivation. Motivation must be self-generated: it's an inner energy. Surround yourself with things which energise, challenge and excite you daily.

If you feel stuck then think about whether you could approach your goal in a different way. Think about your goal in relation to the 'logical levels' and recognise you will be motivated more when you are in the right environment, doing what you have to do, have the right skills to reach your goal, believe in yourself and your ability to succeed, are confident that what you want to do is congruent with your values and that by succeeding you will have a wider effect than just the goals achieved.

Discover '15 ways to change your life' on http://www.youcanchangeyourlife.co.uk Susan Kersley is a retired doctor who is now a Life Coach and Writer.