MANAGING MOTIVATION: MY DOS AND DON’TS

WHAT EXACTLY IS MOTIVATION?

The Business Dictionary says it’s “Internal and external factors that stimulate desire and energy in people to be continually interested and committed to a job, role or subject, or to make an effort to attain a goal.”

Internal factors can be related to your health, mental and emotional states. If you’re feeling ill, stressed, or depressed you’re not going to be at your best. Your motivation will suffer.

Some conditions are out of our control - such as catching a flu bug. But there are lots of other things, both external and internal, that we can control. 

DIET AND EXERCISE

These are among the most important things we do control. Eating unhealthy food and living a sedentary lifestyle can seriously diminish our motivation. A balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables can go a long way to upping your energy. 

As for exercise, even a brisk walk around the block at lunchtime can result in a boost of your motivation if you’re at the office or home. Even better results can be had if you’re able to engage in more strenuous activities, like jogging, swimming, or playing your favorite sport.

 ME TIME

We all know finding time for yourself in a hectic schedule can be incredibly challenging. Meetings, conference calls, and a constantly ringing cellphone can all drive motivation down if there’s no break.

Distractions cause you to lose focus and reduce your chances of successfully completing tasks. And when you fail to accomplish something, you’re motivation will take a hit.

Time spent unwinding and kicking back can ward off feelings of wanting to toss in the towel. It could be as simple as pursuing a hobby, getting caught up on some fictional reading, or tending to the garden. Or, muting your cellphone. 

Don’t leave ‘me time’ to chance. Put it in your schedule. Make an appointment with yourself. That way you’re more likely to treat it like any other obligation.

SPEAKING OF GIVING UP

After Britain had endured more than 50 bombings during World War II, the great Winston Churchill spoke in front of a group of students. "Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give up,” is what he said in no uncertain terms. 

There’s an interesting article in Goalcast (a site I highly recommend) that cites the inventor Thomas Edison as saying: “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work. Our greatest weakness lies in giving up." 

Sticking to a plan and following through can be very difficult. Self-doubt, fatigue, and the opinions of others can all cloud your thinking and take you off track.

Take time to step outside the fracas of your daily routine and see the big picture. It’s bound to give you some much-needed perspective. It might also lead to a solution to a problem you hadn’t thought of before.

TAKE STOCK OF YOURSELF

Carpenters and mechanics have a saying, ‘The right tool for the right job’. That means not every tool in the toolbox won’t work in every situation. 

Here’s an exercise: Do an inventory on yourself, listing those things you do well, and those you don’t. Your motivation could be suffering because you’re trying too hard to manage a part of your business that might be best handled by designating to others. 

It could be a simple as hiring a good accountant if numbers intimate you. Or, securing a PR person if you’re uncomfortable tooting your own horn. 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

In business, trying different solutions to problems is something you’ll do every day. Some will work, others won’t. Don’t let that discourage you from making the effort. You can’t hit a home run if you don’t swing the bat.

Even completing small tasks can go a long way to keeping your motivation up. A sense of accomplishment when you achieve success is undeniably beneficial in maximizing your motivation. 

Maintaining and managing your own level of motivation is work and requires both energy and discipline. If you are willing to commit to these precepts, you’ll increase your level of motivation, and likely your success, exponentially.

HOW ABOUT YOU? 

Have you found some tricks to maintain your motivation that I didn’t mention? If so, please leave a comment below and a give a thumbs up if you found this article helpful.