STAY MOTIVATED IN 2023

DO YOU WANT TO STAY INSPIRED, ENERGISED, AND FOCUSED ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS THROUGHOUT THE COMING YEAR? OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS OF PANDEMIC, UPHEAVAL, AND NOW ECONOMIC TURMOIL, IT IS NO WONDER YOU MIGHT BE FEELING BURNED OUT.

By Courtney Hancock

None of us can solve these big problems or foresee what new ones may challenge us in 2023, but if we can stay focused on our goals and keep tackling each new day with gratitude and resilience–we can handle everything that life throws at us and achieve almost anything we set out to do.

To help with that mental resilience, we sat down with Courtney Hancock, Champion Ironwoman, three-time Coolangatta Gold winner and first person in Australian Surf Sports history to win the triple crown of elite events in the same year. Courtney is also a Red Paddle Co Ambassador, a mentor and a coach

Here’s how she does her very best to stay focused on the end goal.

Set your goals HIGH

But make sure you section these out into smaller stepping stones in order to get yourself there. Most importantly, you’ve got to back yourself and be your own biggest supporter.

Move your body every day!

You have all heard it before and I am saying it again. We expect so much from our body and mind each and every day. You need to give back. This can be a walk with the dog, a stand-up paddleboarding session, whatever you fancy. It will do your mindset wonders too. Health for life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.

Being in nature really does feed the soul

Once a week try to take the time to be in and around nature and appreciate its beauty. This could be a hike in the Hinterland or an early morning beach walk, it’s up to you, but it will do wonders for you. You’ll feel lighter, calmer and be able to handle that work deadline that gets thrown on your desk at 2pm on a Friday afternoon.

The 80/20 guide

Motivate yourself to go hard early in the week on good veggies and wholefoods. Come the weekend, you’ll not only feel great about yourself (your body will love you for it), but you have also created a healthy balanced diet for yourself. And if you are going to treat yourself, Why not?! Don’t feel bad about it, life is there to enjoy.

Do what makes you happy

We are all here for a certain amount of time and I feel we need to appreciate that. Aim to get to every Sunday night and be excited to start the week ahead for yourself.

Be your own inspiration

I am a believer that you certainly have role models, but I am also a believer in striving to be a person that others would like to look up to.

Make time for you

If you do this, you can get the best out of yourself, which means everyone else gets to enjoy the best of you too. A few examples are once a week sauna, hot/cold baths, massages, bubble bath at home with your favourite book and a face mask, meditation in nature, time with your girls or even a nana nap mid-week (I know everybody loves those). My favourite way to unwind on the weekend is exploring new areas via my Red Paddle Co inflatable SUP, you can find the best beaches via hidden waterways.