We’re almost a full month into 2017, which means almost a full month into those New Year’s resolutions, so I figured it was a good time to talk about motivation.

We’ve all been there. Whether it’s doing research at work, drafting a brief, working out, or cleaning the house - there are always days when whatever we NEED to do is the absolute last thing we WANT to do. That’s when we need to light a little fire under our ass to get going. Coffee is good for that, but what else can we do to get motivated?

Here are some of my best motivation tips:

• Set goals

There’s no better way to get going than when you know exactly what you’re working for. Set “SMART” goals - specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-based. A simple example - to meet goal of losing 5 lbs this year, workout with personal trainer once per week and eat at least 1 serving of vegetables at every meal.

• Reward Yourself

Whether it’s buying new workout clothes (p.s. scroll to the bottom for an exciting announcement and to shop some motivation-boosting workout clothes!), a new book, or a brand new pair of red bottoms, treat yo’ self! Since I started working, I started treating myself more and more. If I get a crappy case, have to draft an emergency motion, or go out of town for a trip, I make sure to order myself a little something. Sometimes (a lot of times) it’s shoes, sometimes a new skirt, sometimes cute stationary, but I ALWAYS have it delivered to my office. The best part of my day is when the mail room is making their rounds and dropping off packages. I usually get something at least once a week and it always puts me in a better mood. When I was in law school (paying $50k a year and not bringing in any income) I would reward myself on a smaller scale. I’m not going to lie - law school sucks for 347238492734 reasons and the hundreds of pages of reading every single night is only one of them. After every paragraph in my textbook I would put a gummy bear or another piece of candy. Once I reached the gummy bear, I got to eat it. Then I wanted to read more so I could have another gummy bear. This is basically the way you would bribe a 6 year old, but hey, it worked perfectly.

• Inspirational quotes

I am a sucker for a good inspirational quote. The right one always gets me into work mode. The day I found out that I passed the Texas Bar exam, my parents sent flowers to my office with the following quote, which is now one of my absolute favorites:

It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things. - Leonardo da Vinci

Another one I like, that I see quite often on instagram: Throw your hair up in a messy bun, put on some gangsta rap, and HANDLE IT.

• Remind Yourself of the Journey

Look back at how far you’ve come. If you’re starting a new workout/meal plan, take progress pictures. If you’re a blogger, look back at the first pictures you ever posted. If you’re a lawyer, give yourself a pat on the damn back because no matter where you went to law school or where you took the bar, that shit was NOT EASY - remember the first case you ever read? It was like gibberish to me.

• Start small

Make a to-do list and start with the tasks you can easily knock out. I have a running to-do list in my office at work, and I almost always start the day with my easiest tasks on it - email opposing counsel; email the client; prepare exhibits to a motion. I do things that I know I can knock out pretty fast so I can cross them off the list. After I cross them off, I already feel accomplished and ready to tackle the bigger tasks.

• Coffee

I wasn’t kidding. I don’t drink coffee often, but when I do, I’m a beast at checking off my to-do list. First I drink the coffee, then I do the things.

ATTENTION ALL DALLAS BRIDES - TO - BE: EXCITING NEWS!!!!!!!

Along with Wedding Wire, I’m hosting a BRIDE RIDE at SoulCycle - Dallas Uptown location - on SATURDAY, January 28 at 1:00pm. Come join me for a fun, MOTIVATING ride and some delicious treats! We can chat about all things fashion, fitness, and of course, wedding. CAN’T WAIT TO MEET Y’ALL!!!