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Any independent business owner who works alone knows that there are times when it is very difficult to be motivated to do one's best. Motivational speakers can help by charging up an audience and creating a gung-ho attitude. Motivation, however, goes up and down and tends to return to original levels. This is a problem because motivation must be there consistently in order to get things done and move forward.
Here are 10 valuable ways to keep yourself motivated positively and consistently every day:
Find Business Buddies Find other independent business owners - even one - who don't compete against you and share similar interests and problems. Knowing you're not alone helps keep up the motivation. As well, these people can provide different perspectives on problems and issues and help generate fresh, new and different solutions for each other. Form or be part of a group of "go to" people that motivate and challenge each other.
Share Your Expertise Share your knowledge and expertise wisely, freely and willingly with fellow business people and with those in social, neighbourhood or community groups. You will be respected. As well, people will remember you. Over the years, you will be more and more recognized and well thought of. Then you will be motivated to keep that reputation as your business grows.
Mentor Others, Especially Young People If you have kids, teach them some of what you know. "Hire" them to help when you do presentations. You will want to do your best in front of family. Guest speak at business classes in high schools or universities to tell them about what you do. Mentor young kids in business courses. Tell them how difficult it was to get started and how active you have to stay. By motivating others to do and be their best, it will rub off on you too. This is almost a form of self-therapy as you hear your own story and value the successful steps you have taken.
Motivation Chart Draw a chart or graph that shows progress - yearly income changes, number of clients, new contacts, new referrals, increase in the territory you cover, events attended, presentations completed. Is there a payoff at the end of each line? If yes, you will be motivated to go on. Dare to dream and imagine how things will be different or better. Keep your motivation chart where it can be seen regularly. Add to it. Your success is visible and shows how your business improves.
Live Your Truth Don't do stuff to impress others. Be yourself. Do YOUR best. When you stop having fun, motivation vanishes. If you are passionate about what you do, you will do everything you can to get the message, service or product out there.
Dare to Dream Use positive visualization to see yourself being successful in different ways: financially, influence, recognition. Be motivated to dream BIG and go for the challenge of achieving it. You may not get to the top but will in all likelihood land at a spot higher than where you started.
Less Talk, More Action Failure is easy; do nothing or have empty wishes. Success requires hard work on a regular basis. Hard work usually means you are acting on your ideas. Be careful you're not just being busy instead of productive. Productivity boosts self-esteem and motivation.
Go to New Places Take university courses, read related publications, attend business meetings and conferences, network regularly, go to totally unrelated meetings and learning sessions. You will be surprised who you meet and may be of value to you. (at a networking meeting I met a woman whose husband was in the music industry. He was a contact for my daughter who just graduated college and was looking for a music-related job). These new environments will all give you new food for thought. You may be motivated to try some of the ideas out in your business.Seek Higher Meaning of Your Work Don't just do a job for money or survival. Be motivated to do things for loftier reasons. Think about the impact you make on society, the difference you make in peoples' lives, the expertise you have to offer, the contribution you make within the whole scheme of things. Notice how your skills, talents and abilities are affecting others.
Keep an Idea Bank As you read newspapers or magazines, watch TV, surf on the internet, listen to the radio, ideas may pop up that you can use for future use. An idea bank - folder or large envelope full of good ideas - gives you the satisfaction of knowing you will never run out of ideas. Another door awaits to be opened. I write a monthly newsletter and have dozens of topics and articles waiting to be analyzed and used as the bases of future articles.
Otto Schmidt, Education Consultant, speaker, author - "Accent on Essential Life Skills" - http://accentonskills.com/aelsbook.htm
Contact me for professional development with a difference. I specialize in skills training. Participants in my workshops WILL be more creative, perceptive, better communicators.
Accent on Skills Consulting, Toronto, ON 416-226-2332 o.schmidt@accentonskills.com Visit my website http://www.accentonskills.com/ for further information on booking custom-designed workshops for your team, employees, administrators. Choose from 48 personal, empowerment skills.
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