Set your intention to do so first thing upon awakening. As soon after as possible, sit in a comfortable place and allow your body to be as relaxed as possible. Take at least three long, slow, deep breaths, so your stomach expands as you inhale as opposed to your shoulders and chest. Imagine you’re drawing in relaxation. With each exhale, imagine you’re releasing any stress or tension.

Imagine next that you’re at the top of a flight of twenty steps, with as much light as you need and handrails on either side of you. When you’re ready, begin to descend the stairs, allowing yourself to become more relaxed with each step down, counting each step backward from twenty to zero. Use the pace that works for you. When you reach the bottom, you’re at zero.

Pretend you’re standing in front of a lovely, closed door. On the other side of this door is the most relaxing place you can think of. It may be a real place or one you make up. It may be somewhere you’ve been or somewhere you’d like to go. It may be indoors or outdoors. Take a moment to bring that place to your mind, then open the door, and step into that most relaxing place.

Notice whatever there is to notice around you. If you’re able to see things, notice what they look like: their size, their shape, and their color. If you’re able to hear sounds, notice what they sound like, and whether they’re near to you or far. If you’re able to reach out your hand to touch something, do that, and notice how it feels against your skin. This is your place of perfect relaxation, where you are able to bring about positive changes in your life, simply by setting the intention to do so.

Take a few moments to imagine yourself being motivated at work. Think about how you feel when motivated. Consider how you act when you’re motivated. Imagine what you’re able to accomplish when you’re feeling motivated. Make a statement to yourself about setting your intention to remain motivated at work. “I choose to be motivated when I’m at work,” or “I set my intention now to be motivated when I’m at work.” Choose wording that resonates with you.

When you’re done, imagine leaving through the same door through which you entered, closing it behind you, and, as you count up to five, become more awake and alert with each number. When you say the number five, open your eyes, and say, “One, two, three, four, five. Eyes open, wide awake.” Repeat that phrase at least once.

It may seem that imagining isn’t enough to effect change, however, using your imagination is very powerful. Your subconscious mind doesn’t like change, but, f you take the time to imagine it happening, it will believe it’s experiencing the state of motivation, will realize that it’s positive, and will be more likely to allow you to be motivated.