February is the time of the year when people start to see their New Year’s resolutions fall flat. The endeavors of the new year may have overwhelmed them to the point that making further personal or professional changes become a burden they don’t want to deal with. The result is that they just fall back into routine, any new plans going out the window altogether until December, when they become a New Year’s resolution once again.

Of course, giving up on goals is no way to move forward. When there is plenty of work to do and people who depend on the whole team performing, you have got to find a way to get up to speed. Here are the seven ways I get motivated and start moving forward again.

1. Start something new and meaningful.

Chances are those resolutions you have no desire to take on were never all that appealing to begin with. If this is the case, look for a new project to spark some energy. It can’t be a just a simple distraction. This project needs to be relevant to the work at hand. Just the act of getting moving on something will create valuable momentum.

2. Shut off the world.

So often I allow distractions to get in the way. I rationalize email, web surfing or TV as productive or motivational when I know they aren’t really either. At some point, you just have to shut off all the noise and focus on the tasks at hand. At most, I turn on music to encourage some rhythm.

3. Revisit your preferred future.

Procrastination is about the here and now. True motivation comes from the promise of the future to be. If you have designed a clear vision of your desired destiny, reengage with that powerful possibility. Commit mind and body to the goals that energize you and get things moving in the right direction.

4. Set up rewards.

No doubt there is something you’ve been wanting. Make yourself the promise of a reward if you get certain key initiatives accomplished in a reasonable timeframe. Once you get the momentum going, the regular motivation will kick in.

5. Have someone hold you accountable.

Sometimes if I can’t get going on my own, I will enlist the support of a friend. This requires a little discipline, since engaging the wrong friend can simply provide additional distraction. The key is to instruct your friend to help you not get in your own way. A good friend will know just which buttons to push to get you started. Or better yet, they may know which embarrassing info to release on Facebook if you don’t get moving again.

6. Challenge yourself to beat the clock.

Time is a powerful metronome. Often when I struggle with motivation, I use the power of the pendulum. I set myself small tasks in specific, small time increments. Getting the first few completions triggers good feelings that make me want more. Set up three or four 10-minute tasks and drive for the finish.

7. As a last resort, caffeinate.

Personally, I strive to stay as mood-enhancer-free as possible, but when I can’t seem to find the will any other way, I will turn to coffee. The stimulant creates energy that must be spent, so I buckle down and find a useful channel.

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Want more Kevin? Here are 3 more columns by Kevin available on Inc.

• 17 Ways Great Leaders Motivate Their People
• 7 Ways to Empower Future Leaders
• The 8 Traits of Lucky Leaders