The dictionary defines motivation as the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal. Motivation is what gives you purpose and direction for a specific behavior. If you are motivated to lose weight, you will consume fewer calories; if you are motivated to pay your bills you will get out of bed and go to work! Motivation provides the incentive for the actions that we take. However, we can sometimes find ourselves decidedly unmotivated even in the face of “needing” to do something.
Motivation is like food for the brain. You cannot get enough in one sitting. It needs continual and regular top up's.—Peter Davies
Getting motivated is the key to any kind of success in life, be it personal, spiritual or financial. And as there are many forms of success there are also many forms to get motivated. Get the motivation right and you can achieve anything. You just need to use what is right for you.
The act of setting goals provides a framework for your vision. It is difficult to get motivated about a vague or fuzzy target. Even if you love what you do, motivation must be constantly renewed. Setting your own specific and measurable desired results will ignite your enthusiasm for achieving them. Your goals may encompass the organizational goals or not but the important element is that they are set by you. Your goals will reflect what you value and will motivate you to achieve them. Rather than simply working, you are working for something specific that you desire.
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Your goals should challenge you. If they are too easy you will not get excited and your motivation will be short lived. Goals should be written down and reviewed daily. You can make adjustments as necessary. Writing your goals down makes them more real and it becomes like a contract with yourself. We have been conditioned to honor contracts so establishing a self-contract will fuel your desire to honor the conditions you have set.
Break your goals down into short and long term, and make it a practice to set new ones as you achieve those on your list. Set the bar a little higher and continue to challenge yourself. The challenge will keep you excited and motivated. Set milestones and visualize your success.
In my experience, there is only one motivation, and that is desire. No reasons or principle contain it or stand against it. --Jane Smiley
Visual reminders of your goal are a great source of motivation. In example, if your goal is to exceed quota so that you can treat yourself to a luxury vacation, you might have a picture of the location on your wall or you might carry around a brochure that you can pull out during the day. Perhaps your goal is to earn enough to buy a new home. Take a picture of yourself in front of the home you’d like to own. The visual reminder creates an emotional connection with your goal and renews your motivation. Each time you see the goal it reinforces the passion and desire to reach it
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All action begins with a thought and taking time to harness your thoughts is not only beneficial but necessary. Meditation and visualization are mental motivators. Daily meditation will help you to clear the clutter from your mind. Many successful business people have validated the motivational value of spending time each day visualizing your success. You can meditate in silence or use meditation tapes or CDs to help you. The meditation and visualization process trains your mind to think successfully. In this time you are programming your brain to focus on success. You can rid your mind of doubts, confusion and any negative thoughts that sap your energy. Your daily meditation renews your desire and from desire comes motivation.
The time of meditation provides an opportunity to quiet your mind and soul and connect your thoughts to your goals. Achieving a healthy mental state is energizing and motivating. You may repeat a personal affirmation during this time or quietly visualize yourself performing the actions to achieve your goals. In example, if you are working with a particularly difficult client trying to close a deal, you may visualize yourself winning them over. See yourself closing the deal and the client smiling. Visualize handing them the pen as they sign the contract. As you train your mind to focus on positive outcomes you will find that you will consciously and subconsciously take actions that will fulfill them.
You have a very powerful mind that can make anything happen as long as you keep yourself centered. --Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
Motivation requires interest. If you are not interested, you will not be motivated. Learning is a life long pursuit that will help to keep your skills and your perspective fresh. Challenging yourself will keep you interested and motivated. You can accomplish this by reading or listening to experts in your field. We all have an innate desire to be good at what we do. No one sets out to be a failure. Reading books and listening to tapes that help advance or refresh your knowledge can inspire you to try new methods, tools or set new goals. Listen to those that have succeeded in your field or even those outside of your field to refuel that “I can do it’ spirit. You will have the benefit of learning new techniques or tools which can provide a much needed energy boost. Hearing someone else detail their success also provides the motivation needed to keep working toward your goals. Knowing that it can indeed be done encourages you not to give up.
Motivational books and tapes are also a worthwhile tool. These tools provide a source of positive energy that replenishes your motivation. You can listen to tapes while driving to appointments to keep you energized during the work day. You can read in the morning before starting your day to give you that extra boost and again at night to end your day on a healthy note.
Affirmation tapes are another tool. You can play these tapes throughout the day to keep your mental energy focused on positive and successful thoughts. Many sales people spend a great deal of time in the car and affirmation tapes can provide much needed stimulation during the work day. The tapes are like a mental cheerleader encouraging you that you can do it.
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Enthusiasm is contagious. Spending time with people that are motivated will rekindle your own motivation. This can be accomplished through live or virtual networking methods. Mastermind groups are an effective method of networking. Your mastermind group is comprised of a small group of like-minded people. The group can meet by phone, via message boards or in person. Members of the group mutually support and challenge one another to success. Together you can brainstorm new ideas, work through challenges and support one another in achieving your goals. Members of the group have a common interest – whether it is industry, role, spiritual pursuit, gender – there is a thread that unites members. In example, a mastermind group could consist of women in sales, or start-up business owners. The shared interest links the group together.
In a mastermind group or other network, it is important that all members are highly motivated. One member’s negative energy can drag down the entire group. Your networking environment can be a catalyst to success or a barrier that hinders you from moving forward.
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It is impossible to be motivated when you lack energy. Physical energy will drive your mental energy and hence your motivation. We often overlook the impact of our physical self on our ability to succeed. How can you motivate yourself to make cold calls when you barely dragged yourself from bed? If you find yourself slumping physically, take a quick inventory of your life.
Are you eating foods that generate energy? Sugar provides a short term rush, followed by a slump. Pack fruit and energy bars to take with you during the day to keep your energy level high. Take time to have a healthy breakfast or make a high energy breakfast drink that you can take with you.
Are you sleeping well? Diet, exercise and stress can significantly impact the quality of your sleep. Five hours of quality sleep is far better than tossing and turning for 8 hours.
If you need an energy boost during the day, try deep breathing. Taking slow deep breaths through the nose refreshes the brain. Take a quick walk, the fresh air will provide a boost to the mind and body. Play music in the car. We all have music that provides an instant energy boost; keep it with you for that quick fix on tough days.
People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily. --Zig Ziglar
Stephen R. Covey was quoted as saying, “‘Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly.” To stoke the fires of motivation, it requires a synergy of mind, body and soul. Motivation is not something that simply happens one time and lasts forever. You must consciously choose to renew your motivation daily. Those choices include your internal and external environments. There are many tools and resources that will help you to stay motivated and continue to achieve your goals.
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”Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going”.—Jim Ryun