STAYING MOTIVATED TO STAY ON TOP

By Caterina Rando, MA, MCC

Some people arrive early and stay late happily and productively performing work throughout the day.  Others watch the clock and putter around the office, performing the minimum requirements.  What separates professionals that survive from those that thrive? Motivation. 

I am an entrepreneurial coach because I believe the richest and most fulfilling aspect of life is to take what you love and make it your work.  The challenge is that unlike working for someone else, entrepreneurs are totally responsible for creating the motivation they need to get the job done and move forward toward success.

Without motivation, it is difficult to jump over hurdles in our path or navigate when we get sideswiped.  Motivation keeps us going as our competitors fall by the wayside.  Motivation is the fuel that takes you where you want to go.

You cannot become and remain successful if you lack motivation.  Like public speaking or running a meeting, motivation is a business skill that can be developed by anyone. 

The three key factors to staying motivated and successful are a definiteness of purpose, ongoing planning and a positive sense of self.  

Definiteness of Purpose  
Everyone has a different purpose to honor in their work and in their lives.  There is no right answer and, in fact, your purpose or how you describe your purpose, will change over the years.  To be fully engaged and participate in your career advancement you must be clear about what you want and where you want to go.  Recognizing your purpose might come easy for some and more difficult for others.  

Here are some questions to ponder when creating your purpose statement:
	
If you could do anything, what would you do?
What is your dream job?
What is life all about to you?
What do you want to look back on with pride?
What traits do you admire in others?

A purpose is often called a personal philosophy about what you want your life to be about.  It is a general statement like, " I want to help people live better lives. "  " I want to enjoy my life and provide well for my family."  "I want to continue to develop personally while enjoying everyday to the fullest."

Ongoing Planning 
Life happens when we're making other plans, and if we don't plan, we are reactive to our personal and professional occurrences rather than proactive in gaining benefit from each event and making it work for us. Consistent, comprehensive, specific planning is a vital skill to master to remain productive and on-track professionally. 

Planning Success Strategies

•	Recommit daily to your life purpose, short-and long-term goals, and mission statement for your career.

•	At the end of every week, plan for the next week.  Write out the actions you need to take that week to achieve your goals.

•	Create personal and professional Daily Success Practices.  Daily Success Practices are those things you do everyday to have a good life today and move you closer to your goals, such as arrive at the office by 8:30, return all phone calls within 24 hours, take vitamins, exercise, and always ask for what you want.

•	Take time at the end of each workday to organize yourself for the next day.  Plan your phone calls and obtain the numbers ahead of time. Put a star next to those things that need to be finished the next day. 

•	At least once a quarter, hear a motivational speaker or attend a professional development workshop.  This recharges and rejuvenates you. 

•	Have some down time.  Take time to be away from your work and enjoy the other aspects of your life.

•	You would avoid someone who criticizes and invalidates you all day; yet, we often treat ourselves in a way we would not tolerate from someone else. Be your strongest asset, not your largest liability.

•	Acknowledge yourself and your successes.  I encourage my clients to track their wins.  Create a board where accomplishments are listed.  One client puts gold stars in her daily planner. 

•	Use positive self-talk all day.  I start my day with 30 minutes of positive affirmations.  I say them to myself while I am on the Stairmaster at the gym.  One client of mine has made an hour-long tape in her own voice over classical music that she plays in her car.  

•	Eat right; do not skip meals; get regular exercise and maintain a regular sleeping schedule.

•	As Shakespeare wrote, "Nothing is good or bad, but thinking make it so." Look for the opportunity in every challenge, the possible "no" in every "yes", the lesson in every mistake.

•	Make sure that you have positive business support in your life, and surround yourself with positive, successful people who support you and whom you can consult for resources and referrals

Read Only Copyright 2002 Used with permission of author Caterina Rando, MA, MCC, is the author of "Learn to Power Think," and a keynote speaker and success coach. She helps people invigorate their professional and personal lives and create the results they want. To find out more, visit http://www.caterinar.com. Caterina can be reached at 800-966-3603 or by email at cpr@caterinar.com.

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