Motivation. Motivation is not something that you should have every now and then. Motivating yourself to excel at what you do, or to be an example for others, is something that a true entrepreneur or dedicated employee will always be doing. It’s an ongoing process that includes all aspects of your professional life. Your attituide, appearance, spiritual well-being, and interactions with others all come into play.
Staying motivated is much easier than you think. “Experts” would charge you a pretty penny to “lay down the law” to professionals and entrepreneurs alike, conveying a road map for motivational success. I’m going to tell you something interesting: you don’t need to pay anyone anything to learn the secrets to staying motivated. Well, unless you want to pay me. I think I’d be fine with that.
But in all seriousness, the question certainly remains: how do you do it?
Simple. Follow five steps, and what the changes as they happen.
- 1) Maintain a Positive Attitude
– There’s something that you should know. Life is 10% about what happens to us, and 90% about how we react. Think back to every argument you’ve ever had and try to imagine something that you could have done to defuse the argument while it was in its infancy. Chances are it has something to do with how you reacted.
We, as people, are responsible for our own actions. When you are around people that are positive, you’ll find it much easier to act in hte same way. You’ll have more confidence in yourself, you’ll smile more often, and your “problems” will be easier to solve. The same can be said for your workplace: enter the office with a smile on your face and a hop in your step and you’ll create the mood. Watch how quickly others follow suite.
- 2) Leave Personal Problems at Home
– Life can get you down. We all know that, as we’ve all experienced one thing or another that has “sank our ship”, so to speak, and left us feeling less than ecstatic. Your problems don’t belong at work, so when you enter your workplace turn your attention (and energy) to your job. This has the added benefit of, along with making you a much easier person to deal with, giving your mind a mental break from whatever your problems are. You know how a lot of people say that stress isn’t good for your health? They’re right, so give your mind a chance to chill out.
- 3) Create Positive Affirmations
– Close your eyes and think of three great things you’d like to do or accomplish. Write them down. Now, open your eyes and read what you wrote. The reason why you write your goals and objectives down is because it’s the first step in making them tangible. Having your goals recorded on paper will allow you read them whenever you want, and having them written down means that they are unchanging. Short of destroying the piece of paper, there’s not much you can do to change what you’ve written, is there?
Try coming up with a few new affirmations every couple of weeks. Make them things that are attainable and valuable, such as “I know I’ll make good use of my time today”. Repeating them out loud is always a great way to reinforce what you’ve written.
- 4) Take a Break
– Are you one of those people who works during their breaks? Stop immediately. It may be hard to believe, but your mind needs time where it can relax and unwind. Taking regular breaks will allow you to focus better, as well as give your mind to digest any challenges or problems that you may have. Taking breaks relieves tension, and if you’ve been working on a computer, gives you a prime opportunity to move around a bit.
- 5) Exercise
– I already know what you’re thinking, “oh no, here he goes again preaching about exercise”. Yes, yes I am preaching about exercise, and there’s a reason for it. Exercise is kind of like cigarettes: at first, your body doesn’t know how to handle the stress, and as a result you’re sore. After a little while, however, exercise becomes that sweet, soothing rush that helps you relieve stress and cope with your emotions. Every mile on the treadmill burns calories, strengthens muscles, and gives your mind the physical stimulation it needs to be healthy. There’s a reason why health nuts say that working out is more addictive than crack: because it is.
At least this addiction won’t eventually kill you.
All it takes on your part is concentration. Stay motivated, stay positive- it always leads to success.
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I have been told that exercise will really do the trick, but I guess I was a little skeptical at first. I am still unconvinced. But I’ll try to engage in some physical activity, just so I can see for myself whether it applies to me or not. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. =)
You know, it takes a couple of weeks before you’ll notice it. At first, you’ll be sore and tired and you’ll wonder what the heck we’re always beaking off about. But, then, slowly you’ll notice that you’re more energetic and alert, and you’ll look and feel better to boot.
great tips. unfortunately, i am lacking in #5 perhaps i will be more motivated if i get my @ss onto my elliptical trainer…