Motivation

Where does motivation come from?  We all have multiple things that motivate us from friends and family to our children.  Our motivating factors take all shapes and forms.  But where does the motivation really come from?  It comes from within yourself.

 

Think about it.  How can seeing a suffering children motivate you to help them?  There isn't some magnetic attraction caused by these children that motivates you or makes you move.  The initiation of all movement comes from within you.  This is a key factor to understand.  As you go through life and work towards your accomplishments, the only person that can really push you along is you.  I can hear people saying, "but my boss motivates me, if I don't perform I'll get fired."  Well the truth is, all your boss does is push certain buttons that bring thoughts into your mind.  In this case the thought of your boss firing you makes you perform but really the thought of the pain of losing the job is really what motivates you.  If you didn't need the job, what would be you motivator?

 

Understanding this key concept is very important in your success.  You also need to understand that the inner motivation is shaped by your values, beliefs, wants and goals.  If you look closely at your values and the things that motivate you, you will see a direct correlation between the two.  You will find that you are easily motivated to do things that align with your top values.  You will also find that the opposite is true as well, you will be less motivated to do things that don't align with your values. 

 

So next time you are having a hard time getting motivated to do something, review your values and the task at hand.  Associate one of your core values with the completion of the task.  If it doesn't fit any of your values then determine if it is something you really need to do.  If it is something you can't avoid then create a different road map that will associate the task to one of your core values.  Re-define the task into something that fits into your values.  For instance, say you need to finish a financial report for your boss by the end of the day and you can't get motivated because you really don't like financials and the work is boring.  Stop looking at the report as an exercise in financials find a different way to look at the work that fits you.  Maybe one of your core values is knowledge, so look at the report as an opportunity to showcase your breadth of knowledge to your boss.  I know this sounds a little fru-fru, but it works.  You have to learn how to make the changes in yourself to motivate yourself.

 

All motivation comes from you and the more you master your motivation the more you will succeed.

 

Cheers to Success!

Tony Booth

Keeping Values Fresh

As you go through life it's very easy to get caught up in the rat-race and lose track of things.  To stay on course you need to keep your values fresh and constantly in your mind.  This is a key factor in the Focusing on Success program.  The best way to keep your values fresh in your mind is to review them regularly and keep them posted where you can see them.

 

Having a clear understanding of your values helps you make clear and decisive decisions.  When you are faced with an important decision you can reflect on your values to help you make the right choice.  We all make mistakes and bad decisions but the biggest mistake is not making a decision or making a decision that you regret later.  If all your decisions are in line with your values then there is no reason for regret.  Sure, it might still be the wrong decision but you will maintain your integrity with your values. 

 

If your boss walks into your office at 5:00 pm and tells you that he needs your report by 8:00 am (a day earlier then planned) and that same night is your daughter's school play you now have an important decision to make.  Do you skip the play and work late to meet your bosses new deadline or do you tell you boss you have somewhere to be tonight and you will not be able to complete the report in time.  There is no easy answer here, but there are consequences.  If you tell your boss you can meet the deadline that might hurt your chances of promotion or even get you fired but on the other hand if you miss your daughter's play, she will be heart broken.  Both decisions are wrong with someone but only one decision is right for you.  You need to make a value based decision so that you can be sure you make the right decision for you.  If I was faced with this problem, the decision would be easy.  In my key values, my family ranks higher than my success.  I would tell my boss I cannot complete the report on time because of a family commitment.  This may not sit well with him but I would never second guess my decision.  It is the right decision for me.

 

So remember, review your values regularly and make decisions that fit you.  We are not living our lives for other people, we live them for ourselves.

 

Cheers to Success!

Tony Booth