Keeping My Motivation

Hi, its great to see you back!

How Can I Stay Motivated Enough to Never Give Up.

Have you noticed that when someone is facing a terminal illness, they are much more likely to fight it and often win the fight when they have “something to live for”.

If there are no goals, no specific purpose in their life, then there is no motivation to fight and it is easier to give in and die. Sadly I have seen that happen in my own family and circle of friends.

To ensure we stay motivated in our life and business, we need to:

1. Have Clear Concise Goals.
We were created to be people of purpose. We need goals, we need purpose in life. If our purpose and goals are vague, then we can give in to discouragement far too readily. Having clear concise goals gives a clear sense of direction.

I have driven many times in Mexico city, and on the Periferico (one of the main axles of that city) there is a sign the says Cuernavaca and then a few exits later another sign says Insurgentes. If you didn’t know that Insurgentes leads out of the city and onto the road to Cuernavaca you were in trouble.

The first time we entered Mexico City we WERE in trouble. We drove around in circles for well over an hour at 1 in the morning. (Disclaimer: They have finally upgraded their signs last time I was in Mexico City, they signs WERE MUCH better)

The signs there were not consistent, and it was easy to lose direction and of course motivation went out the window. We were tired and discouraged.

Check List:
How clear are my goals?

Are my short term goals consistent enough to lead me to my long term goals?

2. Have Goals That Are Challenging But Realistic
One of the things which brings fulfillment in life is achievement. We all need to achieve, and how nice it feels to know we wanted to do something, and we actually did it!

That is why it is good to have our goals written out, both long term and short term. The short term goals need to be just challenging enough to keep us alert and yet achievable. The satisfaction of that achievement will keep us motivated.

Checklist:
How realistic are my goals?

Are they helping me keep my motivation level high?

3. Look After Our Health
We live in a digital world, where everything is capable of moving at a fast pace around the clock. Everything that is except the human body.

Sometimes we get so involved in our daily activities, we forget to eat and so grab a hamburger at the nearest fast food restaurant. A fast pace life style leads to a unending list of physical and emotional problems, none of which help us to stay motivated.

Checklist:
Am I paying attention to my health?

Am I eating right?

Am I getting enough sleep?

Is my motivation level being affected by my health?

4. Look for a Mentor.
The dictionary tells us that the word “Mentor” is defined as a “Teacher” or “Trusted Counselor”. With knowledge increasing at the pace it is today, we are always faced with so many new things to learn. It is good to find a Teacher, or perhaps Teachers.

Perhaps you can’t think of anyone in your immediate social circle whom you could trust to fill this role. However today with the evolving of the Social Media technologies it is easy to find many Teachers or Mentors on the Internet with whom we can develop varios degrees of relationships and learn much.

I recently discovered Twitter. In the past month I have learned so many valuable things just listening to conversations. (I can be found on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/kiwichamp) – Just click the “Follow” button.

Checklist:
(I recently read somewhere that every good business owner should spend at least 2-3 hours daily reading new material to broaden their knowledge of their field as well as general knowledge).

Do I have at least one or two mentors from whom I learn?
Am I keeping my motivation level high by learning something new every day?

Am I putting into practice the new things I learn that are relevant to my life and business?

5. Find someone to be accountable to.
It is good to have at least one or two closer friends with whom we have built a closer relationship of trust. They can help hold us accountable to our goals and keep us on track. (I have noticed conversations on Twitter where this is happening).

Checklist:
Am I accountable to someone?

Is the person I am accountable to the right person? Do they help me keep my motivation level high?

Am I putting their suggestions into practice?

6. Focus on the goal.
I am sure you have are familiar with the Fox Hunt sport that is famous in England. The fox hound that wins is the one who refuses to chase rabbits crossing its path because he has his eye on the main prize, being the Fox. He keeps his focus and is able to resist the temptation of an attractive juicy rabbit.

Checklist:
How many juicy rabbits cross my path every day?

Do I run after them?

Am I keeping my focus on my goals for the day?

7. Be Determined to Reach Our Goals.
There may be obstacles, in fact there will be. The “mountain of success” we are climbing may get steep. “Life happens.” Sometimes, not everything we try may work the first time and we may be tempted to get discouraged.

If we don’t give up, WE WILL SUCCEED!

Checklist:
How is my motivation level today?

58 successful entrepreneurs were given 30 days to start again from scratch and recover their wealth, Could they do it? They had already reached success once.

Now with everything taken away from them could they recover in just 30 days? Were they really able to keep their motivation and achieve success? Read their stories here.

How determined am I to achieve what I set out to do?