Some days you’re up, some days you’re down. That seems to be the natural course of life. There are also those days when you need an extra push to keep yourself going. Yep, you know the ones – where you keep putting off tasks and procrastinating or get distracted by the TV show you have on in the background or you spend hours just staring at your screen. Those are the absolute worst.

Most of the time we can hype ourselves and get through the hard days, no problem. It’s nothing a good playlist and a pep talk can’t fix. Sometimes, though, those days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months, and then next thing you know you’re in the middle of a slump.

Almost all people are going to go through darker periods at points in their lives. It’s part of the human journey. If you’re one of those people who feels like they have never hit a rough patch, I would invite you to look deeper into your life experiences and explore whether you are avoiding or disassociating from any and all challenges.

Anytime I come across someone needing motivation, I often suggest turning to personal mantras and shifting thought patterns. Both Ayurveda and the Law of Attraction teach that like attracts like, so staying positive and envisioning yourself where you want to be will help it happen faster.

I also suggest surrounding yourself with friends, mentors, PEOPLE who listen, offer advice only when asked, and motivate you to keep going even when you want to give up.

Sometimes none of that works. Sometimes you have to try something different or try something you haven’t done before to find motivation. For me, the three things that I tend to find motivation from the most are books, podcasts, and music.

Books

When you read the right book, you want to go out and conquer the world. It motivates you to succeed, it hands you the tools you need to thrive, it opens up your eyes to new perspectives, creativity, life experiences – that is what makes great life-changing books.

Some books that have really caused me to think deeply about what I want in life are:

1. You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

2. Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith

3. Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad

4. Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

5. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Podcasts
Podcasts have quickly become my favorite way to multitask. After all, there’s nothing that makes cleaning your house or sitting in NYC traffic go faster than having interesting conversations in the background. Through these conversations, you can learn from perspectives that you would never imagine listening to in your own daily life.

Some podcasts that have really broadened my horizons are:

1. Unlocking Us by Brené Brown

2. Supersoul Conversations by Oprah

3. On Purpose by Jay Shetty

4. Under the Skin by Russel Brand

5. Weekly Weather Astrology by Anne Ortelee

Music

Music is a powerful force. Since I was young, Music has been a huge part of my life. My father was a drummer, and I grew up with MTV, Madonna, and Michael Jackson, and literally every single type of music you could find. I’ve learned that the right song can inspire you to clean your house instead of laying in bed. Some songs make me cry simply because I remember listening to them with people who aren’t here anymore. Sound created life – remember that God SAID let there be light, he didn’t just create it. Every spiritual tradition begins with sound vibration, so it makes sense that music and sound are a critical part of my life. You may be surprised, however, at my top 5. It’s probably not what you expect.

Here’s some music that is on my forever playlist:

1. Beyoncé – Lemonade

2. J. Cole – Forest Hills Drive

3. Drake – Views

4. Kanye West – The Life of Pablo

5. Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death

What people find inspiration and motivation from is going to be different for everyone – after all our life experiences and purposes all vary. For some people, it’s art, nature, sports, or even food. You never really know what is going to spark inspiration or light a fire within you until it actually does.

What do you find motivation from?