Motivation: What Works?
by: William Frank Diedrich
Blame and criticism are highly overrated as motivators. You already know this. Think about it. When you spent a lot of time trying to correct someone--an employee, your spouse, your parent, your child, anyone--did it work? When someone was blaming and critical of you, did it work? Like most of us, you probably felt the blaming was unfair or inappropriate. The problem is that blaming and criticism don't inspire us. If you are sensitive, they make you feel small. There is an answer.
Blaming and criticism arise out of frustration. We see that the behavior of another is not what we want, and so we try to blame it away. As I look back on my careers as a teacher, coach, executive, and consultant I can see all of the times I was ineffective as a critic. Blaming and criticism may serve you as a way of venting your frustration, but they don't get the job done. The result is continuous struggle and/or removing the person from your sight. We stop talking to our child or spouse. We move the troublesome employee to another department or do our best to avoid them. There is a better way.
We tell ourselves that we tried and that we just couldn't succeed in getting them to change. The problem, of course, is that we were trying to change the wrong person. In fact, we cannot change other people. We can only change ourselves. Our attempts to change others create frustration, stress, and blaming. Relationships become strained and dysfunctional (meaning "not working"). Yet the answer that we thought was in the other person was within us all along.
You may be skeptical at this point. After all, you had good intentions. You knew what the other person needed to do to be more effective or happier. You were right. They were the problem. Yet, the question is still nagging us. Did criticism and blaming work? Was it effective in producing the result you wanted? Be honest. It didn't work, did it? This doesn't mean that you blame yourself. Blaming and criticizing yourself doesn't work any better. What does work?
When we blame or criticize anyone, including ourselves, we are focused on what we don't want. All of our emotional energy flows into the negative. Most of what we do and say from a blaming mode actually serves to maintain or worsen the situation. We expect people to misbehave, screw up, or fail in some way. We get so emotionally invested in our judgment of their performance that we start needing for them to fail. Their failures reassure us that we were right. Their failures justify our negative opinion. Our focus on what we don't want helps us to create what we don't want.
Their failures justify our image of self as good, intelligent, or competent. An example would be the manager who blames and criticizes the employee who doesn't perform. He's failing because there is something wrong with him (lazy, not smart, no discipline). It can't be me; I'm a competent manager. By convincing ourselves about what is wrong with the other person we prevent ourselves from finding new pathways to reaching them. Our judgment becomes an impenetrable wall that blocks us from seeing any possibilities for success.
When we blame, don't see the other person as real. We fail to consider their needs and concerns, their view of the world. We resist them as people. Their behavior is inconvenient, painful, or disruptive. It gets in the way of me making my goals. One of the biggest complaints I hear from people in the workplace is the lack of respect and consideration they experience at work. They believe that their managers don't really care about them.
So, what's the answer? It's never easy, but it is possible. First we need a vision. You know what you don't want. What do you want? If this level of performance is not okay--if this behavior is not okay--what is? Clearly state what you want. Clearly tell people what the vision is. Align yourself with that vision. Do you want a workplace (or any other group you are in) where people are treated with care and respect? Do you want a place where people feel good? Do you want peak performance? Whatever you want, be it. Communicate it clearly. Give people specific positive feedback on how they are succeeding. Offer corrective feedback when people fall short. Ask them what they need. Ask for feedback from them on how you are doing at manifesting your vision. Listen and make changes.
Second, always talk to people with care. Don't get caught up in the ineffective strategy of thinking people don't deserve your respect. Offer your help. Do all that you can to create processes and relationships that support them in doing well. If they refuse to do well, find out why. Sometimes in the workplace people refuse to improve or change. Don't judge them for this. Maybe the job isn't for them. Maybe this organization is not for them. If you can't help them to change, see if someone else can. If no one can help them to change, help them to go. Refuse to accept chronic behavior that doesn't fit with the vision.
At the same time, give lots of specific praise for good work. Constantly reinforce people, and never take good work for granted. What you focus on expands. What we reinforce we strengthen. If we constantly focus on appreciating people for successes, we increase our successes.
Listen to the way people talk to each other. Challenge negative comments that are "normal". Understand the dissatisfaction that is behind the comment, and help people find appropriate ways to address it. Do not accept negative talk as a way of life.
If you want to transform your workplace (or any group you are a part of), you need to be a visionary. You need to be so into your vision that you live it every day. Mistakes are opportunities to make positive corrections, to help people, and to solve problems. Blaming and criticism are like shooting yourself in the foot. Raise your aim to a higher level. See and encourage the best in people. Believe in their ability to add to this vision. Give them the tools and the feedback to help them. Include them in the vision by listening to them; providing direct, honest communication; and treating people with the utmost care and respect.
Self Improvement Motivation: Unlock The Good Life
Self Improvement Motivation: Unlock The Good Life
by: Matthew Hick
Have you ever taken a long, hard look at your life and felt depressed when you thought about things that it lacked? Chances are, you have. No one has a perfect life. There are countless and constant ways in which a person can improve. Self-improvement motivation comes from a place inside each of us that desires to be a better person. There are several elements that are considered part of self-improvement motivation.
Among the most popular are:
- Appearance improvement
- Intellectual improvement
- Financial improvement
Dress to impress:
Appearance improvement is one of the most popular types of self-improvement motivation. For many people, there is always a pound to be lost, a gray hair to be covered up, or new clothing to be purchased. Other people get extremely obsessive about appearance improvement, paying thousands of dollars for nose jobs, liposuction, collagen implants, hair replacement, or other such procedures. Because of the media and the influence of Hollywood stars, people who are young, old, male, and female have become appearance improvement crazy. These are the often the same people who feel that appearance is all that matters in life.
Self-improvement motivation by the books:
Intellectual motivation is another key element of self-improvement motivation. The desire to become more educated or gain more knowledge on a subject drives many minds. Well-informed people are often perceived as powerful people. After all, knowledge is power.
Today, it is no surprise that more and more middle-aged adults are going back to school to get their bachelor's or master's degrees. This desire to get more education often stems from the fact that most companies are interested with employees who know how to use the latest and greatest software and computer programs. Companies are also interested in employees that have an up-to-date education. Many companies, especially larger ones, will pay for employees to go back to school or be trained for a specific job.
Most colleges and universities even have continuing education programs. These programs allow non-traditional students to learn about a subject or become educated on how to use programs for computers.
Financial improvement:
Another important element of self-improvement motivation is financial motivation. In reality, most people desire to have more money than they have at the present time. Perhaps a person wants to purchase a home, car, or an education. Perhaps someone needs to pay medical bills or legal fees, or raise a child. Finances are key to surviving in today's world. Financial self-improvement motivation often comes in the form of taking on a second or third job, investing in stocks or bonds, or learning how to save money wisely. Financial self-improvement motivation may also include asking a current employer for a promotion or a raise.
Overall, anything that motivates and in turn improves the physical, material, or mental part of a person is a form of self-improvement motivation. No one is perfect, but many of us can try to get as close as we can.
by: Matthew Hick
Have you ever taken a long, hard look at your life and felt depressed when you thought about things that it lacked? Chances are, you have. No one has a perfect life. There are countless and constant ways in which a person can improve. Self-improvement motivation comes from a place inside each of us that desires to be a better person. There are several elements that are considered part of self-improvement motivation.
Among the most popular are:
- Appearance improvement
- Intellectual improvement
- Financial improvement
Dress to impress:
Appearance improvement is one of the most popular types of self-improvement motivation. For many people, there is always a pound to be lost, a gray hair to be covered up, or new clothing to be purchased. Other people get extremely obsessive about appearance improvement, paying thousands of dollars for nose jobs, liposuction, collagen implants, hair replacement, or other such procedures. Because of the media and the influence of Hollywood stars, people who are young, old, male, and female have become appearance improvement crazy. These are the often the same people who feel that appearance is all that matters in life.
Self-improvement motivation by the books:
Intellectual motivation is another key element of self-improvement motivation. The desire to become more educated or gain more knowledge on a subject drives many minds. Well-informed people are often perceived as powerful people. After all, knowledge is power.
Today, it is no surprise that more and more middle-aged adults are going back to school to get their bachelor's or master's degrees. This desire to get more education often stems from the fact that most companies are interested with employees who know how to use the latest and greatest software and computer programs. Companies are also interested in employees that have an up-to-date education. Many companies, especially larger ones, will pay for employees to go back to school or be trained for a specific job.
Most colleges and universities even have continuing education programs. These programs allow non-traditional students to learn about a subject or become educated on how to use programs for computers.
Financial improvement:
Another important element of self-improvement motivation is financial motivation. In reality, most people desire to have more money than they have at the present time. Perhaps a person wants to purchase a home, car, or an education. Perhaps someone needs to pay medical bills or legal fees, or raise a child. Finances are key to surviving in today's world. Financial self-improvement motivation often comes in the form of taking on a second or third job, investing in stocks or bonds, or learning how to save money wisely. Financial self-improvement motivation may also include asking a current employer for a promotion or a raise.
Overall, anything that motivates and in turn improves the physical, material, or mental part of a person is a form of self-improvement motivation. No one is perfect, but many of us can try to get as close as we can.
Daily Motivation: What Motivates You Each Day?
Daily Motivation: What Motivates You Each Day?
by: Matthew Hick
Every experience that a person has impacts him or her positively or negatively. All of the positive moments most likely enhance our daily motivation. Daily motivation is what enables us to strive to be better people, to work towards goals, and to lead fulfilling lives.
Setting goals:
Many of us set goals for ourselves. In turn, these goals motivate us to work hard to achieve success. Goals drive an individual's daily motivation. Goals such as getting a Master's degree, having a high-paying job, getting married, purchasing an expensive car, or mortgaging a home drive a person to succeed. When setting a goal, a person must remember that taking small steps to achieve it helps keep up a positive attitude. It is best not to get overwhelmed with attaining a huge goal quickly; but rather one should take small steps to get it done. The desire to accomplish a goal is what keeps people going, even on bad days.
Attitude:
A positive attitude is a source of daily motivation. Believing that one of your goals is too difficult to achieve will eventually prevent you from achieving it. Having a negative attitude will cause you both internal and external stress. A negative attitude will de-motivate you, and put you on the road to failure. To achieve your goals, you must be able to tell yourself that every goal can be attained with hard work. If you tell yourself that you can do it, chances are that you will. Never underestimate the power of the mind. Daily motivation is all about attitude and outlook.
Religion:
While not all of us are religious, many people who are will agree that religion helps improve daily motivation. Religion can be used as a great motivational tool for people from all walks of life. Religion - no matter what kind - encourages mindfulness and internal motivation. The religious depend on their beliefs to strengthen them mentally.
People often depend on their religion when things are going downhill. Prayer and meditation inspire those who might otherwise turn to drinking, food, or drugs to nurture their spirits. Religion may help some people to be more mentally and physically healthy. Therefore, religion is a positive source of daily motivation.
The desire to live:
Daily motivation also comes in the simple desire to live. Whether children, a job, or money inspires someone to get out of bed in the morning, that person is motivated by something in life.
Even things as simple as nature can motivate someone to maintain a positive attitude about life even when times get hard. A person can take pleasure in nature's beauty by taking time to smell the roses or listen to the birds sing. Studies show that people who live in warmer climates have a more positive attitude about life in general. These same people also have the tendency to go outside and exercise more often. This exercise brings about a sense of inner peace and positive feelings, thus becoming a daily motivation for many people.
by: Matthew Hick
Every experience that a person has impacts him or her positively or negatively. All of the positive moments most likely enhance our daily motivation. Daily motivation is what enables us to strive to be better people, to work towards goals, and to lead fulfilling lives.
Setting goals:
Many of us set goals for ourselves. In turn, these goals motivate us to work hard to achieve success. Goals drive an individual's daily motivation. Goals such as getting a Master's degree, having a high-paying job, getting married, purchasing an expensive car, or mortgaging a home drive a person to succeed. When setting a goal, a person must remember that taking small steps to achieve it helps keep up a positive attitude. It is best not to get overwhelmed with attaining a huge goal quickly; but rather one should take small steps to get it done. The desire to accomplish a goal is what keeps people going, even on bad days.
Attitude:
A positive attitude is a source of daily motivation. Believing that one of your goals is too difficult to achieve will eventually prevent you from achieving it. Having a negative attitude will cause you both internal and external stress. A negative attitude will de-motivate you, and put you on the road to failure. To achieve your goals, you must be able to tell yourself that every goal can be attained with hard work. If you tell yourself that you can do it, chances are that you will. Never underestimate the power of the mind. Daily motivation is all about attitude and outlook.
Religion:
While not all of us are religious, many people who are will agree that religion helps improve daily motivation. Religion can be used as a great motivational tool for people from all walks of life. Religion - no matter what kind - encourages mindfulness and internal motivation. The religious depend on their beliefs to strengthen them mentally.
People often depend on their religion when things are going downhill. Prayer and meditation inspire those who might otherwise turn to drinking, food, or drugs to nurture their spirits. Religion may help some people to be more mentally and physically healthy. Therefore, religion is a positive source of daily motivation.
The desire to live:
Daily motivation also comes in the simple desire to live. Whether children, a job, or money inspires someone to get out of bed in the morning, that person is motivated by something in life.
Even things as simple as nature can motivate someone to maintain a positive attitude about life even when times get hard. A person can take pleasure in nature's beauty by taking time to smell the roses or listen to the birds sing. Studies show that people who live in warmer climates have a more positive attitude about life in general. These same people also have the tendency to go outside and exercise more often. This exercise brings about a sense of inner peace and positive feelings, thus becoming a daily motivation for many people.
Family Motivation: The Glue That Holds Families Together
Family Motivation: The Glue That Holds Families Together
by: Matthew Hick
As many people know from experience, the family unit can be a strong source of stability, security, and happiness. It can nurture support, love, and togetherness. However, when things go wrong within this unit, it can become the opposite: a source of great stress and tribulation. Family motivation is the desire to preserve the family unit and keep it intact.
Husbands and wives:
It is no joke that newlyweds are often in for a shock during the first year or so of marriage. Even though a couple may have dated for several years, more often than not marriage tends to change things. Once a couple becomes husband and wife, their two separate lives merge into one. Sharing chores, bills, responsibilities, and intricate parts of each other's lives can be a tough adjustment at first. Family motivation, or the desire to keep a family together, is a very delicate balance of communication and compromise. It is not an easy task, but when two people are committed to each other and want to stay together, family motivation is the tie that binds the family structure.
When couples have problems, family motivation comes into play. If a husband and wife truly want to make the marriage work, they have to be willing to make sacrifices for each other. Staying together is their motivation. They cannot be self-centered, greedy, or stubborn. They have to learn to work together to achieve goals and be a team. If they are unable to do this, their relationship will fall apart.
If couples have a hard time solving their issues alone, family motivation may push them to seek marriage counseling from an outside source. Couples can visit a certified therapist or even a member of a religious clergy (if the couple is associated with a particular religion). Taking these steps can bring a couple closer together.
Love, marriage and children:
For couples that have one or more children, family motivation is especially important. A couple no longer has just their own relationship to work on, but they must also be concerned for their children. Children bring a great deal of responsibility into a relationship. Children must be raised, educated, and given good examples of how to live. Children learn primarily from their parents. Therefore, couples must make their lives an example for their children to live by.
Each parent has a certain responsibility to the children they are raising. A parent should be reliable, consistent, loving, patient, generous, and be willing to give their undivided attention whenever it is needed. Parents should also be firm with their children. All of these parenting traits will help to raise a child that is well adjusted and disciplined. This is family motivation for a parent to succeed. Family motivation will inspire a parent to be responsible, keep a job, pay bills, and save money for the sake of the child's future education or needs.
Family motivation keeps all types of families intact. Without it, family ties easily unwind.
by: Matthew Hick
As many people know from experience, the family unit can be a strong source of stability, security, and happiness. It can nurture support, love, and togetherness. However, when things go wrong within this unit, it can become the opposite: a source of great stress and tribulation. Family motivation is the desire to preserve the family unit and keep it intact.
Husbands and wives:
It is no joke that newlyweds are often in for a shock during the first year or so of marriage. Even though a couple may have dated for several years, more often than not marriage tends to change things. Once a couple becomes husband and wife, their two separate lives merge into one. Sharing chores, bills, responsibilities, and intricate parts of each other's lives can be a tough adjustment at first. Family motivation, or the desire to keep a family together, is a very delicate balance of communication and compromise. It is not an easy task, but when two people are committed to each other and want to stay together, family motivation is the tie that binds the family structure.
When couples have problems, family motivation comes into play. If a husband and wife truly want to make the marriage work, they have to be willing to make sacrifices for each other. Staying together is their motivation. They cannot be self-centered, greedy, or stubborn. They have to learn to work together to achieve goals and be a team. If they are unable to do this, their relationship will fall apart.
If couples have a hard time solving their issues alone, family motivation may push them to seek marriage counseling from an outside source. Couples can visit a certified therapist or even a member of a religious clergy (if the couple is associated with a particular religion). Taking these steps can bring a couple closer together.
Love, marriage and children:
For couples that have one or more children, family motivation is especially important. A couple no longer has just their own relationship to work on, but they must also be concerned for their children. Children bring a great deal of responsibility into a relationship. Children must be raised, educated, and given good examples of how to live. Children learn primarily from their parents. Therefore, couples must make their lives an example for their children to live by.
Each parent has a certain responsibility to the children they are raising. A parent should be reliable, consistent, loving, patient, generous, and be willing to give their undivided attention whenever it is needed. Parents should also be firm with their children. All of these parenting traits will help to raise a child that is well adjusted and disciplined. This is family motivation for a parent to succeed. Family motivation will inspire a parent to be responsible, keep a job, pay bills, and save money for the sake of the child's future education or needs.
Family motivation keeps all types of families intact. Without it, family ties easily unwind.
Keeping your motivation levels red hot
Keeping your motivation levels red hot
by Bruck shapiro
Send Feedback to Bruck shapiro
More Details about Motivation, success, business here.
Understanding motivation is really vital to attaining all your goals and aspirations. Motivation can really bring huge excitement and thrill into the most mundane tasks. We usually receive our most powerful nuggets of inspiration during periods of intensely high motivation. Motivation effectively makes us blind to hurdles, setbacks and disappointments.
It galvanizes us with a resolve that appears to emanate from some preternatural source. We will usually achieve many times more and perform many times better when our motivational levels are high.
But as humans, we soon discover that it is just not possible to many soaring levels of motivation for any considerable length of time. Given the various turbulences in life, the inevitability of disappointments, the vagaries of the economy, the problems of the workplace, it is really inevitable that we'll usually experience highs and always experience lows.
What's really important is that we come out of those low moments quickly, so that our most treasured dreams, goals and aspirations do not stand in jeopardy.
How do we achieve this? How do we find courage to fight back when it seems everything around us is falling apart?
First, talk to people who have successfully passed through similar problems. Merely listening to the experiences of people that have successfully passed through experiences similar to yours and have successfully pulled through unleashes a force within us that can cause us to return to action. The mere understanding that someone has successfully defied similar odds facing us, unleashes within us a resolve that removes all lethargy and imparts in us a fighting spirit.
More than this looks through motivation material. There's a multitude out there that have the ability to rekindle the smoldering fires of productive energy within us. Many times only the excitement of a new discovery, or a hitherto unperceived idea can spark us so much thrill in us that our motivational levels soar tremendously. Motivational materials, books, audios and CD's offer us the opportunity of tapping from the riches of superior minds where physical contact would have been a near impossibility.
As is always the case, many of our most powerful insights will come when we're under the influence of powerful motivational material.
Finally, make use of your powers of visualization. Go back to your dream picture. The more you visualize it and discover exciting new possibilities in your dream, the greater the productive energy that is unleashed within you to bring about their attainment.
Visualization has the powerful effect of fanning the embers of our productivity. If we allow our visualizations get really intense, we would literally set ourselves ablaze with boundless enthusiasm, more than enough to galvanize us into action.
It is so essential that the complexities of motivation be thoroughly understood, so that the certainty of attaining our goals will never be in doubt.
by Bruck shapiro
Send Feedback to Bruck shapiro
More Details about Motivation, success, business here.
Understanding motivation is really vital to attaining all your goals and aspirations. Motivation can really bring huge excitement and thrill into the most mundane tasks. We usually receive our most powerful nuggets of inspiration during periods of intensely high motivation. Motivation effectively makes us blind to hurdles, setbacks and disappointments.
It galvanizes us with a resolve that appears to emanate from some preternatural source. We will usually achieve many times more and perform many times better when our motivational levels are high.
But as humans, we soon discover that it is just not possible to many soaring levels of motivation for any considerable length of time. Given the various turbulences in life, the inevitability of disappointments, the vagaries of the economy, the problems of the workplace, it is really inevitable that we'll usually experience highs and always experience lows.
What's really important is that we come out of those low moments quickly, so that our most treasured dreams, goals and aspirations do not stand in jeopardy.
How do we achieve this? How do we find courage to fight back when it seems everything around us is falling apart?
First, talk to people who have successfully passed through similar problems. Merely listening to the experiences of people that have successfully passed through experiences similar to yours and have successfully pulled through unleashes a force within us that can cause us to return to action. The mere understanding that someone has successfully defied similar odds facing us, unleashes within us a resolve that removes all lethargy and imparts in us a fighting spirit.
More than this looks through motivation material. There's a multitude out there that have the ability to rekindle the smoldering fires of productive energy within us. Many times only the excitement of a new discovery, or a hitherto unperceived idea can spark us so much thrill in us that our motivational levels soar tremendously. Motivational materials, books, audios and CD's offer us the opportunity of tapping from the riches of superior minds where physical contact would have been a near impossibility.
As is always the case, many of our most powerful insights will come when we're under the influence of powerful motivational material.
Finally, make use of your powers of visualization. Go back to your dream picture. The more you visualize it and discover exciting new possibilities in your dream, the greater the productive energy that is unleashed within you to bring about their attainment.
Visualization has the powerful effect of fanning the embers of our productivity. If we allow our visualizations get really intense, we would literally set ourselves ablaze with boundless enthusiasm, more than enough to galvanize us into action.
It is so essential that the complexities of motivation be thoroughly understood, so that the certainty of attaining our goals will never be in doubt.
Leadership: Motivation Magic
Leadership: Motivation Magic
Everybody talks about motivation, but hardly anybody tells you how to do it. Here are some things you can do to get the results you want from the people who work for you.
Motivation sometimes seems a lot like magic. Some people can do it. Other people can't. Your boss tells you that you need to "motivate your people," but doesn't tell you how.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "motivate" as "to give someone a motive." It goes on to define "motive" as something that causes a person to act. In business you're told to "motivate" the people who work for you. In police work, we're told, you solve a crime by figuring out the motive.
I've got the motive, which is money, and the body, which is dead!
In the movie, In the Heat of the Night, Police Chief Bill Gillespie is sure he knows who committed the murder that Detective Tibbs was originally arrested for. After all, Chief Gillespie has figured out the motive, or so he thinks.
But he was wrong. You'll be wrong, too, if you think you can figure out people's motivations. You can only guess at motivation.
You can observe behavior, what people say and do. You can observe performance. Since that's all you can observe, that's all you can manage.
Don't worry about the horse being blind. Just load the wagon
When John Madden was the coach of the Oakland Raiders his players sometimes challenged him when he asked them to do something. Rather than explain in detail, Madden would just reply: "Don’t worry about the horse being blind, just load the wagon."
In other words, don't worry about the things you can't control. Spend your time on the things you can control.
You can't get inside someone else's head and make him or her want to do something. You can't control another person's behavior.
But you can control your own behavior. And you can use your behavior to influence the choices that other people make and the actions other people take.
Tell your people what you want. Then make sure they understand.
Do things that support what you say. We call this "walking your talk."
It's simple. If you pay attention to productivity numbers, so will the people who work for you. If you comment on people's appearance, they will pay attention to appearance.
It can work the other way, too. If you pay attention to how neatly reports are formatted instead of paying attention to the content, your people will catch on. If they have to make a choice they'll spend their time and effort on making reports look good, rather than beefing up content.
In the end, managing is all about behavior. But it's not about misbehavior.
Ain't misbehavin'.
I was a bright, active, talkative child in a world where children were expected to sit still and be quiet. Consequently, I was in trouble a lot when I was in school
Time after time my teachers would call my mother and ask her to come down to school because I was "misbehaving." When they used that word, it was a certainty like night following day that they would get one of mom's favorite lectures.
Mom would turn her mom look on Miss Smith or Mrs. Sally or Mr. Schnabel. "There is no such thing as 'misbehavior,'" she would say. "There is only behavior."
"You are calling what my son does 'misbehavior' because he's not doing what you want him to do. But he's got a reason. Now let's see if we can figure out what we can do so he'll want to do what you think he should do."
If more bosses had listened to my mom, more workers would be productive and happy. That's because people do things for their reasons, not yours. Your job is to figure out how to make their reasons work for you.
You can't control their reasons or choices, but you can control the consequences of their behavior. As one of my trainees once put it: "The just should be rewarded and the unjust punished in accordance with their deeds." There are two kinds of consequences, positive and negative.
If at first they don't succeed, praise, praise again.
Praise is the most common and easiest to deliver positive consequence. Recognition, awards, promotions and special privileges are also positive consequences.
Use praise to encourage. Encourage them to try new or uncomfortable things by praising their efforts. Encourage them to continue doing good things by praising their work. There are simple rules for praise.
Praise specific actions or performance that you want to encourage. Don't praise people just to praise them.
Deliver praise inconsistently. Don't praise every good thing or your praise loses its power. But most US managers are nowhere close to praising too much. They don't praise enough.
That's why there's one more rule. You should look for opportunities to praise that meet the criteria above.
Stop in the name of love.
A reprimand or correction is a negative consequence. So are formal punishment and discipline.
You use negative consequences like reprimand to get people to stop behavior or performance that you don't want. Be specific about the behavior or performance you want to change. Many times you will get best results with a mix of negative consequence for unacceptable behavior and praise for efforts to change.
Negative consequences of all kinds should be delivered consistently. If you promise that it will happen, make sure you keep your promise.
Be wary, though. Remember Mark Twain's Hot Stove Rule. Twain noted that a cat who sits on a hot stove will not sit on a hot stove again. But he won't sit on a cold stove either.
If you use negative consequences too much or exclusively, your people will stop the behavior you want to stop. But they'll also stop trying.
Wouldn't it be magic?
The science fiction writer, Arthur C. Clarke said that "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." In other words, if you can't figure out how it's done, it will look like magic to you.
If you use your behavior to influence the behavior of the people who work for you, it will look like magic to others. "Wow," they'll say, "That manager sure is a motivator."
Motivation sometimes seems a lot like magic. Some people can do it. Other people can't. Your boss tells you that you need to "motivate your people," but doesn't tell you how.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "motivate" as "to give someone a motive." It goes on to define "motive" as something that causes a person to act. In business you're told to "motivate" the people who work for you. In police work, we're told, you solve a crime by figuring out the motive.
I've got the motive, which is money, and the body, which is dead!
In the movie, In the Heat of the Night, Police Chief Bill Gillespie is sure he knows who committed the murder that Detective Tibbs was originally arrested for. After all, Chief Gillespie has figured out the motive, or so he thinks.
But he was wrong. You'll be wrong, too, if you think you can figure out people's motivations. You can only guess at motivation.
You can observe behavior, what people say and do. You can observe performance. Since that's all you can observe, that's all you can manage.
Don't worry about the horse being blind. Just load the wagon
When John Madden was the coach of the Oakland Raiders his players sometimes challenged him when he asked them to do something. Rather than explain in detail, Madden would just reply: "Don’t worry about the horse being blind, just load the wagon."
In other words, don't worry about the things you can't control. Spend your time on the things you can control.
You can't get inside someone else's head and make him or her want to do something. You can't control another person's behavior.
But you can control your own behavior. And you can use your behavior to influence the choices that other people make and the actions other people take.
Tell your people what you want. Then make sure they understand.
Do things that support what you say. We call this "walking your talk."
It's simple. If you pay attention to productivity numbers, so will the people who work for you. If you comment on people's appearance, they will pay attention to appearance.
It can work the other way, too. If you pay attention to how neatly reports are formatted instead of paying attention to the content, your people will catch on. If they have to make a choice they'll spend their time and effort on making reports look good, rather than beefing up content.
In the end, managing is all about behavior. But it's not about misbehavior.
Ain't misbehavin'.
I was a bright, active, talkative child in a world where children were expected to sit still and be quiet. Consequently, I was in trouble a lot when I was in school
Time after time my teachers would call my mother and ask her to come down to school because I was "misbehaving." When they used that word, it was a certainty like night following day that they would get one of mom's favorite lectures.
Mom would turn her mom look on Miss Smith or Mrs. Sally or Mr. Schnabel. "There is no such thing as 'misbehavior,'" she would say. "There is only behavior."
"You are calling what my son does 'misbehavior' because he's not doing what you want him to do. But he's got a reason. Now let's see if we can figure out what we can do so he'll want to do what you think he should do."
If more bosses had listened to my mom, more workers would be productive and happy. That's because people do things for their reasons, not yours. Your job is to figure out how to make their reasons work for you.
You can't control their reasons or choices, but you can control the consequences of their behavior. As one of my trainees once put it: "The just should be rewarded and the unjust punished in accordance with their deeds." There are two kinds of consequences, positive and negative.
If at first they don't succeed, praise, praise again.
Praise is the most common and easiest to deliver positive consequence. Recognition, awards, promotions and special privileges are also positive consequences.
Use praise to encourage. Encourage them to try new or uncomfortable things by praising their efforts. Encourage them to continue doing good things by praising their work. There are simple rules for praise.
Praise specific actions or performance that you want to encourage. Don't praise people just to praise them.
Deliver praise inconsistently. Don't praise every good thing or your praise loses its power. But most US managers are nowhere close to praising too much. They don't praise enough.
That's why there's one more rule. You should look for opportunities to praise that meet the criteria above.
Stop in the name of love.
A reprimand or correction is a negative consequence. So are formal punishment and discipline.
You use negative consequences like reprimand to get people to stop behavior or performance that you don't want. Be specific about the behavior or performance you want to change. Many times you will get best results with a mix of negative consequence for unacceptable behavior and praise for efforts to change.
Negative consequences of all kinds should be delivered consistently. If you promise that it will happen, make sure you keep your promise.
Be wary, though. Remember Mark Twain's Hot Stove Rule. Twain noted that a cat who sits on a hot stove will not sit on a hot stove again. But he won't sit on a cold stove either.
If you use negative consequences too much or exclusively, your people will stop the behavior you want to stop. But they'll also stop trying.
Wouldn't it be magic?
The science fiction writer, Arthur C. Clarke said that "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." In other words, if you can't figure out how it's done, it will look like magic to you.
If you use your behavior to influence the behavior of the people who work for you, it will look like magic to others. "Wow," they'll say, "That manager sure is a motivator."
Motivation sometimes seems a lot like magic. Some people can do it. Other people can't. Your boss tells you that you need to "motivate your people," but doesn't tell you how.
Wally Bock helps organizations improve productivity and morale, as well as deal with the challenges of massive Boomer retirements. He is the author of Performance Talk. He writes the Three Star Leadership blog, coaches individual managers, and is a popular speaker at meetings and conferences in the United States and elsewhere.
By Wally Bock
Published: 5/16/2007
Everybody talks about motivation, but hardly anybody tells you how to do it. Here are some things you can do to get the results you want from the people who work for you.
Motivation sometimes seems a lot like magic. Some people can do it. Other people can't. Your boss tells you that you need to "motivate your people," but doesn't tell you how.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "motivate" as "to give someone a motive." It goes on to define "motive" as something that causes a person to act. In business you're told to "motivate" the people who work for you. In police work, we're told, you solve a crime by figuring out the motive.
I've got the motive, which is money, and the body, which is dead!
In the movie, In the Heat of the Night, Police Chief Bill Gillespie is sure he knows who committed the murder that Detective Tibbs was originally arrested for. After all, Chief Gillespie has figured out the motive, or so he thinks.
But he was wrong. You'll be wrong, too, if you think you can figure out people's motivations. You can only guess at motivation.
You can observe behavior, what people say and do. You can observe performance. Since that's all you can observe, that's all you can manage.
Don't worry about the horse being blind. Just load the wagon
When John Madden was the coach of the Oakland Raiders his players sometimes challenged him when he asked them to do something. Rather than explain in detail, Madden would just reply: "Don’t worry about the horse being blind, just load the wagon."
In other words, don't worry about the things you can't control. Spend your time on the things you can control.
You can't get inside someone else's head and make him or her want to do something. You can't control another person's behavior.
But you can control your own behavior. And you can use your behavior to influence the choices that other people make and the actions other people take.
Tell your people what you want. Then make sure they understand.
Do things that support what you say. We call this "walking your talk."
It's simple. If you pay attention to productivity numbers, so will the people who work for you. If you comment on people's appearance, they will pay attention to appearance.
It can work the other way, too. If you pay attention to how neatly reports are formatted instead of paying attention to the content, your people will catch on. If they have to make a choice they'll spend their time and effort on making reports look good, rather than beefing up content.
In the end, managing is all about behavior. But it's not about misbehavior.
Ain't misbehavin'.
I was a bright, active, talkative child in a world where children were expected to sit still and be quiet. Consequently, I was in trouble a lot when I was in school
Time after time my teachers would call my mother and ask her to come down to school because I was "misbehaving." When they used that word, it was a certainty like night following day that they would get one of mom's favorite lectures.
Mom would turn her mom look on Miss Smith or Mrs. Sally or Mr. Schnabel. "There is no such thing as 'misbehavior,'" she would say. "There is only behavior."
"You are calling what my son does 'misbehavior' because he's not doing what you want him to do. But he's got a reason. Now let's see if we can figure out what we can do so he'll want to do what you think he should do."
If more bosses had listened to my mom, more workers would be productive and happy. That's because people do things for their reasons, not yours. Your job is to figure out how to make their reasons work for you.
You can't control their reasons or choices, but you can control the consequences of their behavior. As one of my trainees once put it: "The just should be rewarded and the unjust punished in accordance with their deeds." There are two kinds of consequences, positive and negative.
If at first they don't succeed, praise, praise again.
Praise is the most common and easiest to deliver positive consequence. Recognition, awards, promotions and special privileges are also positive consequences.
Use praise to encourage. Encourage them to try new or uncomfortable things by praising their efforts. Encourage them to continue doing good things by praising their work. There are simple rules for praise.
Praise specific actions or performance that you want to encourage. Don't praise people just to praise them.
Deliver praise inconsistently. Don't praise every good thing or your praise loses its power. But most US managers are nowhere close to praising too much. They don't praise enough.
That's why there's one more rule. You should look for opportunities to praise that meet the criteria above.
Stop in the name of love.
A reprimand or correction is a negative consequence. So are formal punishment and discipline.
You use negative consequences like reprimand to get people to stop behavior or performance that you don't want. Be specific about the behavior or performance you want to change. Many times you will get best results with a mix of negative consequence for unacceptable behavior and praise for efforts to change.
Negative consequences of all kinds should be delivered consistently. If you promise that it will happen, make sure you keep your promise.
Be wary, though. Remember Mark Twain's Hot Stove Rule. Twain noted that a cat who sits on a hot stove will not sit on a hot stove again. But he won't sit on a cold stove either.
If you use negative consequences too much or exclusively, your people will stop the behavior you want to stop. But they'll also stop trying.
Wouldn't it be magic?
The science fiction writer, Arthur C. Clarke said that "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." In other words, if you can't figure out how it's done, it will look like magic to you.
If you use your behavior to influence the behavior of the people who work for you, it will look like magic to others. "Wow," they'll say, "That manager sure is a motivator."
Motivation sometimes seems a lot like magic. Some people can do it. Other people can't. Your boss tells you that you need to "motivate your people," but doesn't tell you how.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "motivate" as "to give someone a motive." It goes on to define "motive" as something that causes a person to act. In business you're told to "motivate" the people who work for you. In police work, we're told, you solve a crime by figuring out the motive.
I've got the motive, which is money, and the body, which is dead!
In the movie, In the Heat of the Night, Police Chief Bill Gillespie is sure he knows who committed the murder that Detective Tibbs was originally arrested for. After all, Chief Gillespie has figured out the motive, or so he thinks.
But he was wrong. You'll be wrong, too, if you think you can figure out people's motivations. You can only guess at motivation.
You can observe behavior, what people say and do. You can observe performance. Since that's all you can observe, that's all you can manage.
Don't worry about the horse being blind. Just load the wagon
When John Madden was the coach of the Oakland Raiders his players sometimes challenged him when he asked them to do something. Rather than explain in detail, Madden would just reply: "Don’t worry about the horse being blind, just load the wagon."
In other words, don't worry about the things you can't control. Spend your time on the things you can control.
You can't get inside someone else's head and make him or her want to do something. You can't control another person's behavior.
But you can control your own behavior. And you can use your behavior to influence the choices that other people make and the actions other people take.
Tell your people what you want. Then make sure they understand.
Do things that support what you say. We call this "walking your talk."
It's simple. If you pay attention to productivity numbers, so will the people who work for you. If you comment on people's appearance, they will pay attention to appearance.
It can work the other way, too. If you pay attention to how neatly reports are formatted instead of paying attention to the content, your people will catch on. If they have to make a choice they'll spend their time and effort on making reports look good, rather than beefing up content.
In the end, managing is all about behavior. But it's not about misbehavior.
Ain't misbehavin'.
I was a bright, active, talkative child in a world where children were expected to sit still and be quiet. Consequently, I was in trouble a lot when I was in school
Time after time my teachers would call my mother and ask her to come down to school because I was "misbehaving." When they used that word, it was a certainty like night following day that they would get one of mom's favorite lectures.
Mom would turn her mom look on Miss Smith or Mrs. Sally or Mr. Schnabel. "There is no such thing as 'misbehavior,'" she would say. "There is only behavior."
"You are calling what my son does 'misbehavior' because he's not doing what you want him to do. But he's got a reason. Now let's see if we can figure out what we can do so he'll want to do what you think he should do."
If more bosses had listened to my mom, more workers would be productive and happy. That's because people do things for their reasons, not yours. Your job is to figure out how to make their reasons work for you.
You can't control their reasons or choices, but you can control the consequences of their behavior. As one of my trainees once put it: "The just should be rewarded and the unjust punished in accordance with their deeds." There are two kinds of consequences, positive and negative.
If at first they don't succeed, praise, praise again.
Praise is the most common and easiest to deliver positive consequence. Recognition, awards, promotions and special privileges are also positive consequences.
Use praise to encourage. Encourage them to try new or uncomfortable things by praising their efforts. Encourage them to continue doing good things by praising their work. There are simple rules for praise.
Praise specific actions or performance that you want to encourage. Don't praise people just to praise them.
Deliver praise inconsistently. Don't praise every good thing or your praise loses its power. But most US managers are nowhere close to praising too much. They don't praise enough.
That's why there's one more rule. You should look for opportunities to praise that meet the criteria above.
Stop in the name of love.
A reprimand or correction is a negative consequence. So are formal punishment and discipline.
You use negative consequences like reprimand to get people to stop behavior or performance that you don't want. Be specific about the behavior or performance you want to change. Many times you will get best results with a mix of negative consequence for unacceptable behavior and praise for efforts to change.
Negative consequences of all kinds should be delivered consistently. If you promise that it will happen, make sure you keep your promise.
Be wary, though. Remember Mark Twain's Hot Stove Rule. Twain noted that a cat who sits on a hot stove will not sit on a hot stove again. But he won't sit on a cold stove either.
If you use negative consequences too much or exclusively, your people will stop the behavior you want to stop. But they'll also stop trying.
Wouldn't it be magic?
The science fiction writer, Arthur C. Clarke said that "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." In other words, if you can't figure out how it's done, it will look like magic to you.
If you use your behavior to influence the behavior of the people who work for you, it will look like magic to others. "Wow," they'll say, "That manager sure is a motivator."
Motivation sometimes seems a lot like magic. Some people can do it. Other people can't. Your boss tells you that you need to "motivate your people," but doesn't tell you how.
Wally Bock helps organizations improve productivity and morale, as well as deal with the challenges of massive Boomer retirements. He is the author of Performance Talk. He writes the Three Star Leadership blog, coaches individual managers, and is a popular speaker at meetings and conferences in the United States and elsewhere.
By Wally Bock
Published: 5/16/2007
Mastering Motivation
Mastering Motivation
(lessons in creating forever change)
Motivation (a few definitions):
(1) A psychological concept with no single universally accepted definition, but which organisational sociologists believe concerns the determinants of intent, effort and tenacity, factors that push or pull us as individuals to behave in a particular manner.
(2) Feelings that drive someone toward a particular objective.
(3) The push of the mental forces to accomplish an action. Unsatisfied needs motivate. On the biological level basic human needs of food, shelter and survival are powerful motivators. On the psychological level people need to be understood, affirmed, validated and appreciated. On the business level motivation occurs when people perceive a clear business reason for pursuing a transfer of knowledge or practices.
If you look up the word Motivation you'll find many contrasting, and almost contradictory definitions of what it is (I found over fifty in five minutes).
It seems that even those who define it aren't exactly sure what it is.
It is definitely (in my opinion anyway) the most over-used (and mis-understood) word on the personal development landscape.
We all kinda know what it is... but at the same time, we don't.
It seems that motivation is (represented by) different things for different people.
I just asked someone (a random person in the gym) what their definition of motivation was and they said, "something which makes us do stuff".
I said "well fear can make us do stuff... so is fear motivation?"
"Er yeh, guess so."
"Well vanity makes us do stuff... so what about vanity as a motivator?"
"Yeh.. guess so."
"Food, sex?"
"S'pose."
The reality is that we are motivated by many things.
Different things.
And the same things.
But what we're talking about in this post is the motivation that helps us create that forever change, that amazing life, that incredible body, that spectacular relationship, that new and improved reality... not the motivation that sees us standing in front of the fridge an hour after our dinner.
For many people, motivation is an emotional state which helps them get certain things done (for a while).
"I felt motivated to go for a run this morning."
"That experience gave me the motivation (changed my thinking and emotional state) to create new habits."
"Whenever I read Craig's amazing, incredible, insightful, clever, witty, life-changing posts (okay, I over did it), I feel inspired and motivated to turn my life around.
The problem with motivation being (essentially) an emotional state (or a place we get to in our head) is that it's temporary. And when the motivation disappears (which it will because our emotions and mental state fluctuate from day to day and moment to moment), then so do the new-found (desirable) behaviours.
In other words, we lose momentum.
We stop doing what we need to do to create the outcomes (realities) we so desperately desire.
For others, motivation is simply a reason to (have to) do something.
"I've gotta work 'cause I have five kids.... I'm not particularly excited about that... don't love it... just needs to be done."
"I exercise three times a week because I don't want to die from a heart attack like my father did."
The truth is that most of us alternate between can't-be-bothered, kinda-motivated and totally-in-the-zone... for much of our lives. Many of us step in and out of 'motivation' on a daily (if not, hourly) basis.
"I can't be bothered today" is a line I've heard thousands of times in my job.
"Do it anyway" I say.
"But I'm not motivated!"
"So do it... despite your lack of motivation."
"Perhaps in the doing... you'll get motivated!"
"It's not normal... but it is possible."
And the amazing thing about doing 'stuff', the stuff we know we should do (even when we're not 'motivated to do it') is that once it's done, we're SO glad we did it (and we usually discover we actually are legitimately motivated after we've done it)... and then we also discover we've developed some new getting-crap-done-even-when-we-don't-feel-like-it skills!
Good skills to have.
Trust me.
If we only do the things we need to do (to create our desired outcomes and achieve our goals) when we feel like it... then we'll never achieve much because we'll be perpetually starting and stopping.
After all, nobody feels motivated (excited, pumped, positive, focused, in-the-zone) permanently.
Lesson one:
People who succeed are usually the ones who continue to do what they need to... even when their feeling of motivation isn't there.
It is my (not particularly popular) opinion (based on a lifetime of observation) that most people who start most endeavours don't finish them.
Great at starting; crap at finishing.
We don't want to think that we're like that.
We don't want to acknowledge it.
But we are.
Often.
Many of us have a history of starting and stopping all kinds of projects and endeavours... might be academic stuff, might be some short-lived, self-improvement journey, might be a potential business or money-making venture, could be a diet or an exercise program or it could be dealing with (or not dealing with) some undesirable habit.
Or a million other things.
You know what they are (for you personally).
We start reading books, we get to chapter two.
We join a gym, we go four times.
We change our eating habits... for three days.
We plan our 'new' business venture.... for ten years!
We get pumped... we lose focus.
And while there are always a range of 'reasons' why we never finish what we start (some of them legitimate, some not), the truth is, we spend far too much time rationalising, explaining and justifying to ourselves and others why we never get the job done.
Lesson two:
Motivation needs to be a commitment, a philosophy and a choice, not an emotional state.
I consider myself to be a highly-motivated person... but I often don't 'feel' motivated.
I have made the choice to be a motivated individual.
I walk into a room (to do a presentation) and I have already made a commitment and a decision to be (personally) motivated and (publicly) motivating.
This is how it works for me:
(1) I choose to be motivated.
(2) I 'behave' motivated... even if I don't 'feel' like it (body language, communication, energy, attitude).
(3) Usually within a short period of time I start to feel genuinely different (excited, positive, happier)
(4) Not only am I 'behaving' motivated but now I'm actually feeling motivated.
Tony Robbins calls this 'changing state'.
It's called different things by the various 'experts', but my experience is that if people genuinely make the effort to do this, it works.
Not everyone agrees with my thoughts on this subject.
That's okay.
I know what works for me and many others I've worked with, so I teach what I know to be true.
Some people believe I over-simplify complex issues.
I believe some people over-complicate simple issues.
Wanna be motivated?
Then behave like you're motivated.
Talk like you're motivated.
And make the decision to be motivated, irrespective of how you're feeling.
Doesn't mean you can't have a bad day or be down... it simply means that most of the time, you're doing what most people won't.
By choice.
Lesson three:
Don't make emotional (or reactive) decisions (when it comes to creating forever results).
Spur of the moment, reactive, emotion-based decisions rarely result in life-long change.
Make sure your motivation, your passion and your emotion are all attached to a sensible and logical plan which factors in the frailties of the human condition (that is, our ability to run hot and cold).
So while some people consider motivation to be something that's almost beyond our control; we either have it, or we don't (on a given day).... I believe it's something we (can) have complete control over.
For me motivation is choice.
I choose to be motivated.
I choose to be a motivator.
I choose to create my own (internal) reality.
I choose to be motivated, even on the bad days.
I choose to keep 'doing' even when I don't 'feel' like it.
By Craig Harper
Published: 4/23/2007
(lessons in creating forever change)
Motivation (a few definitions):
(1) A psychological concept with no single universally accepted definition, but which organisational sociologists believe concerns the determinants of intent, effort and tenacity, factors that push or pull us as individuals to behave in a particular manner.
(2) Feelings that drive someone toward a particular objective.
(3) The push of the mental forces to accomplish an action. Unsatisfied needs motivate. On the biological level basic human needs of food, shelter and survival are powerful motivators. On the psychological level people need to be understood, affirmed, validated and appreciated. On the business level motivation occurs when people perceive a clear business reason for pursuing a transfer of knowledge or practices.
If you look up the word Motivation you'll find many contrasting, and almost contradictory definitions of what it is (I found over fifty in five minutes).
It seems that even those who define it aren't exactly sure what it is.
It is definitely (in my opinion anyway) the most over-used (and mis-understood) word on the personal development landscape.
We all kinda know what it is... but at the same time, we don't.
It seems that motivation is (represented by) different things for different people.
I just asked someone (a random person in the gym) what their definition of motivation was and they said, "something which makes us do stuff".
I said "well fear can make us do stuff... so is fear motivation?"
"Er yeh, guess so."
"Well vanity makes us do stuff... so what about vanity as a motivator?"
"Yeh.. guess so."
"Food, sex?"
"S'pose."
The reality is that we are motivated by many things.
Different things.
And the same things.
But what we're talking about in this post is the motivation that helps us create that forever change, that amazing life, that incredible body, that spectacular relationship, that new and improved reality... not the motivation that sees us standing in front of the fridge an hour after our dinner.
For many people, motivation is an emotional state which helps them get certain things done (for a while).
"I felt motivated to go for a run this morning."
"That experience gave me the motivation (changed my thinking and emotional state) to create new habits."
"Whenever I read Craig's amazing, incredible, insightful, clever, witty, life-changing posts (okay, I over did it), I feel inspired and motivated to turn my life around.
The problem with motivation being (essentially) an emotional state (or a place we get to in our head) is that it's temporary. And when the motivation disappears (which it will because our emotions and mental state fluctuate from day to day and moment to moment), then so do the new-found (desirable) behaviours.
In other words, we lose momentum.
We stop doing what we need to do to create the outcomes (realities) we so desperately desire.
For others, motivation is simply a reason to (have to) do something.
"I've gotta work 'cause I have five kids.... I'm not particularly excited about that... don't love it... just needs to be done."
"I exercise three times a week because I don't want to die from a heart attack like my father did."
The truth is that most of us alternate between can't-be-bothered, kinda-motivated and totally-in-the-zone... for much of our lives. Many of us step in and out of 'motivation' on a daily (if not, hourly) basis.
"I can't be bothered today" is a line I've heard thousands of times in my job.
"Do it anyway" I say.
"But I'm not motivated!"
"So do it... despite your lack of motivation."
"Perhaps in the doing... you'll get motivated!"
"It's not normal... but it is possible."
And the amazing thing about doing 'stuff', the stuff we know we should do (even when we're not 'motivated to do it') is that once it's done, we're SO glad we did it (and we usually discover we actually are legitimately motivated after we've done it)... and then we also discover we've developed some new getting-crap-done-even-when-we-don't-feel-like-it skills!
Good skills to have.
Trust me.
If we only do the things we need to do (to create our desired outcomes and achieve our goals) when we feel like it... then we'll never achieve much because we'll be perpetually starting and stopping.
After all, nobody feels motivated (excited, pumped, positive, focused, in-the-zone) permanently.
Lesson one:
People who succeed are usually the ones who continue to do what they need to... even when their feeling of motivation isn't there.
It is my (not particularly popular) opinion (based on a lifetime of observation) that most people who start most endeavours don't finish them.
Great at starting; crap at finishing.
We don't want to think that we're like that.
We don't want to acknowledge it.
But we are.
Often.
Many of us have a history of starting and stopping all kinds of projects and endeavours... might be academic stuff, might be some short-lived, self-improvement journey, might be a potential business or money-making venture, could be a diet or an exercise program or it could be dealing with (or not dealing with) some undesirable habit.
Or a million other things.
You know what they are (for you personally).
We start reading books, we get to chapter two.
We join a gym, we go four times.
We change our eating habits... for three days.
We plan our 'new' business venture.... for ten years!
We get pumped... we lose focus.
And while there are always a range of 'reasons' why we never finish what we start (some of them legitimate, some not), the truth is, we spend far too much time rationalising, explaining and justifying to ourselves and others why we never get the job done.
Lesson two:
Motivation needs to be a commitment, a philosophy and a choice, not an emotional state.
I consider myself to be a highly-motivated person... but I often don't 'feel' motivated.
I have made the choice to be a motivated individual.
I walk into a room (to do a presentation) and I have already made a commitment and a decision to be (personally) motivated and (publicly) motivating.
This is how it works for me:
(1) I choose to be motivated.
(2) I 'behave' motivated... even if I don't 'feel' like it (body language, communication, energy, attitude).
(3) Usually within a short period of time I start to feel genuinely different (excited, positive, happier)
(4) Not only am I 'behaving' motivated but now I'm actually feeling motivated.
Tony Robbins calls this 'changing state'.
It's called different things by the various 'experts', but my experience is that if people genuinely make the effort to do this, it works.
Not everyone agrees with my thoughts on this subject.
That's okay.
I know what works for me and many others I've worked with, so I teach what I know to be true.
Some people believe I over-simplify complex issues.
I believe some people over-complicate simple issues.
Wanna be motivated?
Then behave like you're motivated.
Talk like you're motivated.
And make the decision to be motivated, irrespective of how you're feeling.
Doesn't mean you can't have a bad day or be down... it simply means that most of the time, you're doing what most people won't.
By choice.
Lesson three:
Don't make emotional (or reactive) decisions (when it comes to creating forever results).
Spur of the moment, reactive, emotion-based decisions rarely result in life-long change.
Make sure your motivation, your passion and your emotion are all attached to a sensible and logical plan which factors in the frailties of the human condition (that is, our ability to run hot and cold).
So while some people consider motivation to be something that's almost beyond our control; we either have it, or we don't (on a given day).... I believe it's something we (can) have complete control over.
For me motivation is choice.
I choose to be motivated.
I choose to be a motivator.
I choose to create my own (internal) reality.
I choose to be motivated, even on the bad days.
I choose to keep 'doing' even when I don't 'feel' like it.
By Craig Harper
Published: 4/23/2007
Self Talk will and Motivation
Self Talk will and Motivation
Is there something you want to do but can't get motivated? There is an answer to your problem and it's nearer than you think!
Many of you want your life to change. However, sometimes that's as far as it goes.
You desire personal development but don't get motivated towards oing anything to change. Unless your thoughts are put into action, nothing will be achieved.
You may hear yourself make excuses. "I really want to change, but I'm too busy to do anything about it", or, "I probably wont be any good at it anyway, so why bother." Unfortunately it's all too easy to make excuses to not get motivated.
You have become trapped in your comfort zone! Your comfort zone makes you feel secure, and if you stay there you know you will be safe and that nothing will happen to make you feel any different. Of course your thoughts are correct. However staying in this place of comfort is of no benefit to your personal development.
If you want to improve yourself you have to be brave and step out of your comfort zone and start to live your life in the way you dream.
It's not easy to change, but if you spend time doubting yourself before you even try, not much is going to be achieved.If you really desire to change the way you are, you have to believe that you can. Not only can, but that you will, change.You do have the ability to make your life the way you want it to be, but only if you believe this is possible.The way you see yourself is important. If you think you aren't very clever, or not particularly good at anything, this is the way you will be, because these thoughts have been programmed into your subconscious.
So what can you do about this? Change the way you see yourself. Start telling yourself that you are clever, you are capable, that you can do this.
Repeat positive statements to yourself about whatever area of life you want to improve. Re-program your thoughts until your subconscious accepts this information. If you tell your subconscious something often enough it will believe what it is told.
You may have negative self talk without even realizing. Start to re-program your thoughts by telling yourself good positive information about whatever it is that you hope to improve.Listen as you speak, you may be surprised at how often your self talk is negative. Each time you become aware of this negative thought, turn it into a positive one.
Each day tell yourself you can and will succeed. Repeat this as often as you can. Make all your thoughts about you, and what you are going to achieve, positive.
If you stay determined and don't give in you will definitely begin to feel a change in yourself and start to see an improvement in your life.
If your self talk self talk is positive you will reap the benefit in the way you desire.
By Kay Drummond
Published: 6/11/2007
Is there something you want to do but can't get motivated? There is an answer to your problem and it's nearer than you think!
Many of you want your life to change. However, sometimes that's as far as it goes.
You desire personal development but don't get motivated towards oing anything to change. Unless your thoughts are put into action, nothing will be achieved.
You may hear yourself make excuses. "I really want to change, but I'm too busy to do anything about it", or, "I probably wont be any good at it anyway, so why bother." Unfortunately it's all too easy to make excuses to not get motivated.
You have become trapped in your comfort zone! Your comfort zone makes you feel secure, and if you stay there you know you will be safe and that nothing will happen to make you feel any different. Of course your thoughts are correct. However staying in this place of comfort is of no benefit to your personal development.
If you want to improve yourself you have to be brave and step out of your comfort zone and start to live your life in the way you dream.
It's not easy to change, but if you spend time doubting yourself before you even try, not much is going to be achieved.If you really desire to change the way you are, you have to believe that you can. Not only can, but that you will, change.You do have the ability to make your life the way you want it to be, but only if you believe this is possible.The way you see yourself is important. If you think you aren't very clever, or not particularly good at anything, this is the way you will be, because these thoughts have been programmed into your subconscious.
So what can you do about this? Change the way you see yourself. Start telling yourself that you are clever, you are capable, that you can do this.
Repeat positive statements to yourself about whatever area of life you want to improve. Re-program your thoughts until your subconscious accepts this information. If you tell your subconscious something often enough it will believe what it is told.
You may have negative self talk without even realizing. Start to re-program your thoughts by telling yourself good positive information about whatever it is that you hope to improve.Listen as you speak, you may be surprised at how often your self talk is negative. Each time you become aware of this negative thought, turn it into a positive one.
Each day tell yourself you can and will succeed. Repeat this as often as you can. Make all your thoughts about you, and what you are going to achieve, positive.
If you stay determined and don't give in you will definitely begin to feel a change in yourself and start to see an improvement in your life.
If your self talk self talk is positive you will reap the benefit in the way you desire.
By Kay Drummond
Published: 6/11/2007
Motivation, The Heart Of Self Improvement
Motivation, The Heart Of Self Improvement
Pain may sometimes be the reason why people change. Getting flunked grades make us realize that we need to study. Debts remind us of our inability to look for a source of income. Being humiliated gives us the ‘push’ to speak up and fight for ourselves to save our face from the next embarrassments. It may be a bitter experience, a friend’s tragic story, a great movie, or an inspiring book that will help us get up and get just the right amount of motivation we need in order to improve ourselves.
With the countless negativities the world brings about, how do we keep motivated? Try on the tips I prepared from A to Z…
A - Achieve your dreams. Avoid negative people, things and places. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
B - Believe in your self, and in what you can do.
C – Consider things on every angle and aspect. Motivation comes from determination. To be able to understand life, you should feel the sun from both sides.
D – Don’t give up and don’t give in. Thomas Edison failed once, twice, more than thrice before he came up with his invention and perfected the incandescent light bulb. Make motivation as your steering wheel.
E – Enjoy. Work as if you don’t need money. Dance as if nobody’s watching. Love as if you never cried. Learn as if you’ll live forever. Motivation takes place when people are happy.
F – Family and Friends – are life’s greatest ‘F’ treasures. Don’t loose sight of them.
G – Give more than what is enough. Where does motivation and self improvement take place at work? At home? At school? When you exert extra effort in doing things.
H – Hang on to your dreams. They may dangle in there for a moment, but these little stars will be your driving force.
I – Ignore those who try to destroy you. Don’t let other people to get the best of you. Stay out of toxic people – the kind of friends who hates to hear about your success.
J – Just be yourself. The key to success is to be yourself. And the key to failure is to try to please everyone.
K – keep trying no matter how hard life may seem. When a person is motivated, eventually he sees a harsh life finally clearing out, paving the way to self improvement.
L – Learn to love your self. Now isn’t that easy?
M – Make things happen. Motivation is when your dreams are put into work clothes.
N – Never lie, cheat or steal. Always play a fair game.
O – Open your eyes. People should learn the horse attitude and horse sense. They see things in 2 ways – how they want things to be, and how they should be.
P – Practice makes perfect. Practice is about motivation. It lets us learn repertoire and ways on how can we recover from our mistakes.
Q – Quitters never win. And winners never quit. So, choose your fate – are you going to be a quitter? Or a winner?
R – Ready yourself. Motivation is also about preparation. We must hear the little voice within us telling us to get started before others will get on their feet and try to push us around. Remember, it wasn’t raining when Noah build the ark.
S – Stop procrastinating.
T – Take control of your life. Discipline or self control jives synonymously with motivation. Both are key factors in self improvement.
U – Understand others. If you know very well how to talk, you should also learn how to listen. Yearn to understand first, and to be understood the second.
V – Visualize it. Motivation without vision is like a boat on a dry land.
W – Want it more than anything. Dreaming means believing. And to believe is something that is rooted out from the roots of motivation and self improvement.
X – X Factor is what will make you different from the others. When you are motivated, you tend to put on "extras" on your life like extra time for family, extra help at work, extra care for friends, and so on.
Y – You are unique. No one in this world looks, acts, or talks like you. Value your life and existence, because you’re just going to spend it once.
Z – Zero in on your dreams and go for it!!!
If you are looking for more inspirational messages and quick inspirations then try http://bestinspirationline.com
By Deanna Mascle
Published: 5/23/2007
Pain may sometimes be the reason why people change. Getting flunked grades make us realize that we need to study. Debts remind us of our inability to look for a source of income. Being humiliated gives us the ‘push’ to speak up and fight for ourselves to save our face from the next embarrassments. It may be a bitter experience, a friend’s tragic story, a great movie, or an inspiring book that will help us get up and get just the right amount of motivation we need in order to improve ourselves.
With the countless negativities the world brings about, how do we keep motivated? Try on the tips I prepared from A to Z…
A - Achieve your dreams. Avoid negative people, things and places. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
B - Believe in your self, and in what you can do.
C – Consider things on every angle and aspect. Motivation comes from determination. To be able to understand life, you should feel the sun from both sides.
D – Don’t give up and don’t give in. Thomas Edison failed once, twice, more than thrice before he came up with his invention and perfected the incandescent light bulb. Make motivation as your steering wheel.
E – Enjoy. Work as if you don’t need money. Dance as if nobody’s watching. Love as if you never cried. Learn as if you’ll live forever. Motivation takes place when people are happy.
F – Family and Friends – are life’s greatest ‘F’ treasures. Don’t loose sight of them.
G – Give more than what is enough. Where does motivation and self improvement take place at work? At home? At school? When you exert extra effort in doing things.
H – Hang on to your dreams. They may dangle in there for a moment, but these little stars will be your driving force.
I – Ignore those who try to destroy you. Don’t let other people to get the best of you. Stay out of toxic people – the kind of friends who hates to hear about your success.
J – Just be yourself. The key to success is to be yourself. And the key to failure is to try to please everyone.
K – keep trying no matter how hard life may seem. When a person is motivated, eventually he sees a harsh life finally clearing out, paving the way to self improvement.
L – Learn to love your self. Now isn’t that easy?
M – Make things happen. Motivation is when your dreams are put into work clothes.
N – Never lie, cheat or steal. Always play a fair game.
O – Open your eyes. People should learn the horse attitude and horse sense. They see things in 2 ways – how they want things to be, and how they should be.
P – Practice makes perfect. Practice is about motivation. It lets us learn repertoire and ways on how can we recover from our mistakes.
Q – Quitters never win. And winners never quit. So, choose your fate – are you going to be a quitter? Or a winner?
R – Ready yourself. Motivation is also about preparation. We must hear the little voice within us telling us to get started before others will get on their feet and try to push us around. Remember, it wasn’t raining when Noah build the ark.
S – Stop procrastinating.
T – Take control of your life. Discipline or self control jives synonymously with motivation. Both are key factors in self improvement.
U – Understand others. If you know very well how to talk, you should also learn how to listen. Yearn to understand first, and to be understood the second.
V – Visualize it. Motivation without vision is like a boat on a dry land.
W – Want it more than anything. Dreaming means believing. And to believe is something that is rooted out from the roots of motivation and self improvement.
X – X Factor is what will make you different from the others. When you are motivated, you tend to put on "extras" on your life like extra time for family, extra help at work, extra care for friends, and so on.
Y – You are unique. No one in this world looks, acts, or talks like you. Value your life and existence, because you’re just going to spend it once.
Z – Zero in on your dreams and go for it!!!
If you are looking for more inspirational messages and quick inspirations then try http://bestinspirationline.com
By Deanna Mascle
Published: 5/23/2007
Just How Important Is Self-Motivation?
Just How Important Is Self-Motivation?
Motivation is a dynamic state that results in the desire, directional intensity and persistence of behavior to achieve a long or short- term goal.
Without motivation our sales performance, and consequently our results can be severely impaired. When we are, feeling motivated, we light up our performance like a Christmas tree, and equally when we feel de-motivated, everything seems to be much harder work.
As sales people, if we continually look to find motivation from outside of ourselves, then we are placing ourselves in a risky situation because it may not always be possible to have a drip feed of motivation feeding us when we need it most.
That is why, the more we can understand about what motivates us personally, the more it helps us to tap into our internal motivational power. We are all unique individuals and are motivated by what is important to us personally.
The factors that are important to us can be described as our values and are the fuel that drives our behaviour. Our values are unique to us and we each have a different set of values based on different aspects of our lives. For example:
Career
Relationships
Finances
Health and Fitness
Family and Home
Social Life
Personal Development
Spirituality
If we can discover our values in the context of our career in sales, we are consciously able to identify what is important to us and can therefore begin to notice ways to leverage our own motivation.
If we are doing a job that satisfies our most important values then we will feel highly motivated and energized.
Sometimes when we feel de-motivated, it is because we are not consciously aware that certain aspects of our job role are aligned to our career values.
The process to leverage our own motivation is:
1. Discover what is important to us in our career (these are our career values)
2. Prioritise our career values in their order of importance to us.
3. Develop reasons why our current job role can satisfy each of our career values.
Jonathan Farrington is the Chairman of The Sales Practitioners Group and CEO of Top Sales Associates.
To find out more about the author, or to enjoy his highly informative and popular daily blog, visit:jonathanfarrington.com
You can also learn more about his latest venture here:salesleadershipzone.com
By Jonathan Farrington
Published: 10/3/2007
Motivation is a dynamic state that results in the desire, directional intensity and persistence of behavior to achieve a long or short- term goal.
Without motivation our sales performance, and consequently our results can be severely impaired. When we are, feeling motivated, we light up our performance like a Christmas tree, and equally when we feel de-motivated, everything seems to be much harder work.
As sales people, if we continually look to find motivation from outside of ourselves, then we are placing ourselves in a risky situation because it may not always be possible to have a drip feed of motivation feeding us when we need it most.
That is why, the more we can understand about what motivates us personally, the more it helps us to tap into our internal motivational power. We are all unique individuals and are motivated by what is important to us personally.
The factors that are important to us can be described as our values and are the fuel that drives our behaviour. Our values are unique to us and we each have a different set of values based on different aspects of our lives. For example:
Career
Relationships
Finances
Health and Fitness
Family and Home
Social Life
Personal Development
Spirituality
If we can discover our values in the context of our career in sales, we are consciously able to identify what is important to us and can therefore begin to notice ways to leverage our own motivation.
If we are doing a job that satisfies our most important values then we will feel highly motivated and energized.
Sometimes when we feel de-motivated, it is because we are not consciously aware that certain aspects of our job role are aligned to our career values.
The process to leverage our own motivation is:
1. Discover what is important to us in our career (these are our career values)
2. Prioritise our career values in their order of importance to us.
3. Develop reasons why our current job role can satisfy each of our career values.
Jonathan Farrington is the Chairman of The Sales Practitioners Group and CEO of Top Sales Associates.
To find out more about the author, or to enjoy his highly informative and popular daily blog, visit:jonathanfarrington.com
You can also learn more about his latest venture here:salesleadershipzone.com
By Jonathan Farrington
Published: 10/3/2007
How to Motivate Yourself, and Mean It
How to Motivate Yourself, and Mean It
Motivation makes great role in achieving your targets, goals in adversity. That is why self-motivation plays more significant role when there is a absence of external source of motivation. Let us learn how to motivate ourselves.
How to Motivate Yourself, and Mean It
Self-motivation is the act of giving one’s own person incentive or encouragement to do something. In other words, it’s the way you get yourself up and moving, as well as to keep going when the going gets tough. Different people motivate themselves in different ways. I have found that before you can motivate yourself, you have to know what drives you.
Effects of Motives
Are you the kind of person that thinks about the long-term effects a certain action will have? If so, you can motivate yourself to get either the positive result or to avoid the negative one. For example, if you must report into work by a certain time, one the negative effects of getting there late would be some kind of disciplinary action. By the same token, a positive effect of being on time would be you continue to receive a paycheck. Whichever one of these motivates you more depends on which compels you more, the positive or the negative effect.
Visualization
Perhaps you are a visual kind of person. The best motivation would be to literally visualize your goals or dreams. I would go as far as to advise you to find a physical image of your goal or dream and put it up somewhere you will see it everyday.
If you want to live in a big, fancy house, then find a picture of a big, fancy house. Cut it out and hang it up over your desk, on the refrigerator, or anywhere it will be a constant, visual reminder of your goals and dreams. Then write down everything you want to have in that house. Hang that up next to the picture. The more detailed you are the more real it becomes, until that house goes from being a dream to a "one day soon" reality.
Healthy Competition
Well, if you are not one of the above-mentioned types of people, than you are probably one that likes a little healthy competition. This can also be a very effective way to motivate you. For example, if you are going to be running a race you would probably push yourself harder in order to win. You would workout more, and practice harder and longer in order to be faster, stronger, and smarter than your competition. When you are motivated to win you will do whatever it takes to achieve that.
Planning
In order to motivate yourself, and keep yourself motivated, you need to determine what your personality is and what your goals are. Then you have to come up with a plan to reach those goals. At initial stages, it is important that you should judge your capabilities impartially. Once you are able to judge your abilities, set realistic goals. Chalk out your strategy to achieve these goals. Often "Yes I can do it!" approach do wonders.
Believe in yourself, in your own abilities. Have optimistic approach towards every aspects of life, strive hard to achieve the success, reach your targets and you will come to know the magic of self-belief.
Ultimately, if you believe in yourself, you can motivate yourself to do anything!
By Shashi Rai
Published: 9/28/2007
Motivation makes great role in achieving your targets, goals in adversity. That is why self-motivation plays more significant role when there is a absence of external source of motivation. Let us learn how to motivate ourselves.
How to Motivate Yourself, and Mean It
Self-motivation is the act of giving one’s own person incentive or encouragement to do something. In other words, it’s the way you get yourself up and moving, as well as to keep going when the going gets tough. Different people motivate themselves in different ways. I have found that before you can motivate yourself, you have to know what drives you.
Effects of Motives
Are you the kind of person that thinks about the long-term effects a certain action will have? If so, you can motivate yourself to get either the positive result or to avoid the negative one. For example, if you must report into work by a certain time, one the negative effects of getting there late would be some kind of disciplinary action. By the same token, a positive effect of being on time would be you continue to receive a paycheck. Whichever one of these motivates you more depends on which compels you more, the positive or the negative effect.
Visualization
Perhaps you are a visual kind of person. The best motivation would be to literally visualize your goals or dreams. I would go as far as to advise you to find a physical image of your goal or dream and put it up somewhere you will see it everyday.
If you want to live in a big, fancy house, then find a picture of a big, fancy house. Cut it out and hang it up over your desk, on the refrigerator, or anywhere it will be a constant, visual reminder of your goals and dreams. Then write down everything you want to have in that house. Hang that up next to the picture. The more detailed you are the more real it becomes, until that house goes from being a dream to a "one day soon" reality.
Healthy Competition
Well, if you are not one of the above-mentioned types of people, than you are probably one that likes a little healthy competition. This can also be a very effective way to motivate you. For example, if you are going to be running a race you would probably push yourself harder in order to win. You would workout more, and practice harder and longer in order to be faster, stronger, and smarter than your competition. When you are motivated to win you will do whatever it takes to achieve that.
Planning
In order to motivate yourself, and keep yourself motivated, you need to determine what your personality is and what your goals are. Then you have to come up with a plan to reach those goals. At initial stages, it is important that you should judge your capabilities impartially. Once you are able to judge your abilities, set realistic goals. Chalk out your strategy to achieve these goals. Often "Yes I can do it!" approach do wonders.
Believe in yourself, in your own abilities. Have optimistic approach towards every aspects of life, strive hard to achieve the success, reach your targets and you will come to know the magic of self-belief.
Ultimately, if you believe in yourself, you can motivate yourself to do anything!
By Shashi Rai
Published: 9/28/2007
Self Motivation For Weight Loss And Exercise
Self Motivation For Weight Loss And Exercise
Have you been planning to start an exercise program to lose weight? For many people, making a commitment to their own health is the most difficult part. This article reveals the best exercises for weight loss, as well as how to build the motivation to adhere to your new exercise routine.
If you have made the difficult decision to reduce - congratulations! For most, committing to their own health is the most difficult part. But in spite of self-motivation, many people find they do not know what exercises to perform for rapid weight loss.
There are three main forms of exercise: aerobic exercise, such as skipping rope; flexibility exercises, such as yoga and other forms of stretching; and strength training, such as weight lifting and resistance exercises.
Aerobic and strength training will help you work off the most calories. Since how much weight you lose is dependent on either burning more calories or consuming less, it is best to concentrate on these at first to ensure your self motivation persists as you drop pounds.
Generally, thirty minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week is ideal. Build the duration and frequency as you improve.
But many people whose self-motivation has helped them to begin an exercise for weight loss program ignore the importance of strength training. Aerobic exercise burns more calories initially, but lifting weights increases muscle mass, and muscle burns more calories than fat. A pound of muscle uses 35 calories per day to function at rest; a pound of fat uses only two calories for the same function.
The fitness consensus used to tell us that to "build" muscle, you should use fewer reps (3-5) at higher weights, and to simply "tone," higher reps (12-15) with lighter weights was the best way. But there is no such thing as "toning." Definition that results from what's mistakenly called toning results because you have lost the layer of fat covering muscle, making the muscle more visible. The size of the muscle underneath depends on how strenuously you train.
You must "tear down" the muscle so it can rebuild itself afterward. In fact, you do not build muscle while working out but you do in the days afterward when it's "resting." The general rule for strength training is beginning with three sets of 8-12 reps at a weight that leaves you nearly incapable of completing the entire set. Then, rest for 30-60 seconds before starting your next set.
Don't be discouraged if you're not able to complete all of the reps on every set. In fact, use that to determine when to add weight. If you are doing each set without any muscle strain, you will want to add weight.
Self-motivation compelled you to start, but most have a difficult time keeping the pace. It helps understanding that the source of our motivations is a belief. Consider it: If you did not believe the gnawing sensation in your stomach meant you were hungry, you would not feel motivated to eat.
Learning what ideas motivate you is key to losing weight, because when you feel powerfully motivated, you will exercise without fail. NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) is a form of self-hypnosis. And there are NLP methods that can create exercise motivation because, over time, desire to exercise for weight loss alone likely won't be enough to keep you working out. Hypnosis for exercise motivation therapy can help.
Your primary task is naming the most important things in your life. We call these things your highly valued criteria. Highly valued criteria are usually intangibles: money would not be highly valued criteria, but the security, freedom or fun that money can bring would be.
Next, determine what you need to believe to feel highly motivated to exercise. It's vital to bear in mind that logic has nothing to do with belief. Things do not have to be logical to believe them. You may realize you already have a belief that contradicts this new idea. That’s okay.
While understanding what motivates us is important, hypnosis exercise motivation therapy can put these ideas to work by ensuring self motivation persists. Hypnosis for motivation does this by modifying the computer codes in your brain, so you believe ideas that motivate you.
Belief systems are based in our unconscious mind, which is like a computer. Computers do not have the capability to reason. The input controls the output. The methods used in hypnosis for exercise motivation therapy can make you believe almost anything, as long as you are willing to believe.
You start by creating an image in your mind that illustrates something you already believe, such as, "I love my children." Then you learn to calibrate the elements or 'Submodalities' of that mental belief picture.
Next, you make a mental picture that illustrates your motivational idea. Let's say your motivational idea is, "If I exercise, then I will look great and my marriage will get better." Then you learn how to adjust the Submodalities of this mental image to correspond with the Submodalities in your calibrated belief picture. Conversely, if a belief is holding you back, the same technique can change that belief to doubt.
Self hypnosis for motivation that incorporates NLP can give you something of an internal personal motivator. Using an exercise hypnosis motivation program ensures that the zeal you started with persists until reaching your objective, and then helps you maintain that objective.
About The Author:
Alan B. Densky, CH has specialized in all aspects of weight loss hypnosis cd recordings, including NLP for exercise motivation CDs since 1978. Visit his Neuro-VISION hypnosis website to have the benefit of Free hypnosis newsletters, articles, and videos.
By Alan B. Densky, CH
Published: 12/21/2007
Have you been planning to start an exercise program to lose weight? For many people, making a commitment to their own health is the most difficult part. This article reveals the best exercises for weight loss, as well as how to build the motivation to adhere to your new exercise routine.
If you have made the difficult decision to reduce - congratulations! For most, committing to their own health is the most difficult part. But in spite of self-motivation, many people find they do not know what exercises to perform for rapid weight loss.
There are three main forms of exercise: aerobic exercise, such as skipping rope; flexibility exercises, such as yoga and other forms of stretching; and strength training, such as weight lifting and resistance exercises.
Aerobic and strength training will help you work off the most calories. Since how much weight you lose is dependent on either burning more calories or consuming less, it is best to concentrate on these at first to ensure your self motivation persists as you drop pounds.
Generally, thirty minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week is ideal. Build the duration and frequency as you improve.
But many people whose self-motivation has helped them to begin an exercise for weight loss program ignore the importance of strength training. Aerobic exercise burns more calories initially, but lifting weights increases muscle mass, and muscle burns more calories than fat. A pound of muscle uses 35 calories per day to function at rest; a pound of fat uses only two calories for the same function.
The fitness consensus used to tell us that to "build" muscle, you should use fewer reps (3-5) at higher weights, and to simply "tone," higher reps (12-15) with lighter weights was the best way. But there is no such thing as "toning." Definition that results from what's mistakenly called toning results because you have lost the layer of fat covering muscle, making the muscle more visible. The size of the muscle underneath depends on how strenuously you train.
You must "tear down" the muscle so it can rebuild itself afterward. In fact, you do not build muscle while working out but you do in the days afterward when it's "resting." The general rule for strength training is beginning with three sets of 8-12 reps at a weight that leaves you nearly incapable of completing the entire set. Then, rest for 30-60 seconds before starting your next set.
Don't be discouraged if you're not able to complete all of the reps on every set. In fact, use that to determine when to add weight. If you are doing each set without any muscle strain, you will want to add weight.
Self-motivation compelled you to start, but most have a difficult time keeping the pace. It helps understanding that the source of our motivations is a belief. Consider it: If you did not believe the gnawing sensation in your stomach meant you were hungry, you would not feel motivated to eat.
Learning what ideas motivate you is key to losing weight, because when you feel powerfully motivated, you will exercise without fail. NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) is a form of self-hypnosis. And there are NLP methods that can create exercise motivation because, over time, desire to exercise for weight loss alone likely won't be enough to keep you working out. Hypnosis for exercise motivation therapy can help.
Your primary task is naming the most important things in your life. We call these things your highly valued criteria. Highly valued criteria are usually intangibles: money would not be highly valued criteria, but the security, freedom or fun that money can bring would be.
Next, determine what you need to believe to feel highly motivated to exercise. It's vital to bear in mind that logic has nothing to do with belief. Things do not have to be logical to believe them. You may realize you already have a belief that contradicts this new idea. That’s okay.
While understanding what motivates us is important, hypnosis exercise motivation therapy can put these ideas to work by ensuring self motivation persists. Hypnosis for motivation does this by modifying the computer codes in your brain, so you believe ideas that motivate you.
Belief systems are based in our unconscious mind, which is like a computer. Computers do not have the capability to reason. The input controls the output. The methods used in hypnosis for exercise motivation therapy can make you believe almost anything, as long as you are willing to believe.
You start by creating an image in your mind that illustrates something you already believe, such as, "I love my children." Then you learn to calibrate the elements or 'Submodalities' of that mental belief picture.
Next, you make a mental picture that illustrates your motivational idea. Let's say your motivational idea is, "If I exercise, then I will look great and my marriage will get better." Then you learn how to adjust the Submodalities of this mental image to correspond with the Submodalities in your calibrated belief picture. Conversely, if a belief is holding you back, the same technique can change that belief to doubt.
Self hypnosis for motivation that incorporates NLP can give you something of an internal personal motivator. Using an exercise hypnosis motivation program ensures that the zeal you started with persists until reaching your objective, and then helps you maintain that objective.
About The Author:
Alan B. Densky, CH has specialized in all aspects of weight loss hypnosis cd recordings, including NLP for exercise motivation CDs since 1978. Visit his Neuro-VISION hypnosis website to have the benefit of Free hypnosis newsletters, articles, and videos.
By Alan B. Densky, CH
Published: 12/21/2007
Is Self-Motivation a Problem?
Is Self-Motivation a Problem?
Do you find it difficult to get self motivated? Do you love the idea of being self motivated, but lack the drive to get started?
Want some help? OK!
The first thing to do is grab a pen and paper, put on your thinking cap, and start thinking! What is it you would like to achieve?
Before you do anything else, write this goal down. The mere act of writing your goal down will help keep your motivation strong. Make you more determined to achieve.
With me so far? Good!
Try not to make your goal one that you hope to achieve within a short period of time. Plan to make it become a reality sometime in the future. Now take this main 'big goal' and break it down into small parts.
Make sure each part is achievable. If you have any doubts about this, break that small part down to be even smaller.
Have you put them down on paper? Good! Hold on don't rush off!
It's no good writing them down if you are going to stick them inside a book, or tuck them away in a drawer! Pin them up where you can see them! Read through the list every day and cross each goal off as you complete it - wow I bet that feels good! The list is shrinking!
Don't only read through the list, visualize how your life will be when you reach the final piece of your goal. Now hold that vision in your mind.
Any time you feel your motivation begin to sag, call up that vision. Think strongly about it. Really concentrate hard on it. Imagine the sense of achievement you will feel knowing that you stayed motivated and on target with your dream.
If you have a friend who you know will help encourage your motivation, why not share your plan and ask if he/she will help you any time you feel that you want to give up?
It's not always easy to stay self-motivated, even when there is something you really want to do. Other challenges may crop up in your daily life that seem to overtake any plans you had on working towards your goal. Try to stay centered on what it is you hope to achieve.
Don't take the easy way out by saying you haven't got time to get motivated. If you do this, you may feel good about your decision to give up initially, but when there is something you really, really want to achieve, it wont belong before regret sets in and you wish you hadn't dropped your plans.
Sometimes to give in seems the easiest thing to do, but that could be because you aren't feeling in the mood and have lost your self motivation. If this happens don't forget to visualize the final successful outcome. This should give you the courage and determination to keep going.
Achieve one small goal at a time. No need to rush. Slow and easy will get you there every time.
www.positive-personal-growth.com
By Kay Drummond
Published: 10/16/2007
Do you find it difficult to get self motivated? Do you love the idea of being self motivated, but lack the drive to get started?
Want some help? OK!
The first thing to do is grab a pen and paper, put on your thinking cap, and start thinking! What is it you would like to achieve?
Before you do anything else, write this goal down. The mere act of writing your goal down will help keep your motivation strong. Make you more determined to achieve.
With me so far? Good!
Try not to make your goal one that you hope to achieve within a short period of time. Plan to make it become a reality sometime in the future. Now take this main 'big goal' and break it down into small parts.
Make sure each part is achievable. If you have any doubts about this, break that small part down to be even smaller.
Have you put them down on paper? Good! Hold on don't rush off!
It's no good writing them down if you are going to stick them inside a book, or tuck them away in a drawer! Pin them up where you can see them! Read through the list every day and cross each goal off as you complete it - wow I bet that feels good! The list is shrinking!
Don't only read through the list, visualize how your life will be when you reach the final piece of your goal. Now hold that vision in your mind.
Any time you feel your motivation begin to sag, call up that vision. Think strongly about it. Really concentrate hard on it. Imagine the sense of achievement you will feel knowing that you stayed motivated and on target with your dream.
If you have a friend who you know will help encourage your motivation, why not share your plan and ask if he/she will help you any time you feel that you want to give up?
It's not always easy to stay self-motivated, even when there is something you really want to do. Other challenges may crop up in your daily life that seem to overtake any plans you had on working towards your goal. Try to stay centered on what it is you hope to achieve.
Don't take the easy way out by saying you haven't got time to get motivated. If you do this, you may feel good about your decision to give up initially, but when there is something you really, really want to achieve, it wont belong before regret sets in and you wish you hadn't dropped your plans.
Sometimes to give in seems the easiest thing to do, but that could be because you aren't feeling in the mood and have lost your self motivation. If this happens don't forget to visualize the final successful outcome. This should give you the courage and determination to keep going.
Achieve one small goal at a time. No need to rush. Slow and easy will get you there every time.
www.positive-personal-growth.com
By Kay Drummond
Published: 10/16/2007
Stop Talking and Dream
Stop Talking and Dream
Can you remember when using your imagination used to be a teacher’s suggestion? Have we stopped dreaming about our next wonderful thing? Here’s an article to stimulate new thinking and new behavior.
Stop Talking and Dream
Adam quite literally saved his life on Monday of this week when he stopped his thought process to dream up a new approach. Imagine what is possible for you.
Collectively, society has stopped dreaming. We focus on ‘what is in front of us’ instead of dreaming of ‘how to shake things up and make them better.’ We remember the challenge and forget the rush of amazing ourselves (and others).
Unless we have stimuli to change, the pace of our days causes you and I slip into old modes of thinking and behaving. This does not get us beyond where we were yesterday. Is that where you want to be? Here are some old patterns that we easily slip into, along with dream patterns to immediately shake things up:
"It’s impossible to have time to exercise and eat right with my schedule."
--STOP--
Dream: I can control your schedule.
What small changes will create time to take care of ‘me’ first?
"Staff meetings are a waste of time as we rarely accomplish anything."
--STOP--
Dream: We are dynamic, brilliant individuals who are not living up to our potential.
How can we inspire one another to grow? What haven’t we tried?
"I feel comfortable raising my sales quota by 8% every year."
--STOP--
Dream: What if I were to raise it 33%, 50%, 120%?
What if I focused on the dream? My due diligence will follow. If I begin solely with due diligence, my dream will not materialize.
"She never listens to me, so why even try?"
--STOP--
Dream: Apparently, my approach hasn’t worked in the past. I know I can get her attention. What are her motives? What truly intrigues her?
"Life used to be simple, predictable - now it’s too complicated."
--STOP--
Dream: Life is richer than it was last year at this time. Challenging, yes, yet the possibilities are endless. Perhaps I’ll step back and appreciate simplicity rather than complexity this week. Ahhhhh.
"I’ve always been this way so…."
--STOP--
Dream: It’s a brand new day. I can be as creative, outrageous, dynamic, confident and attractive as I want. I dream of changing and creating a better me.
The biggest challenge preventing us from dreaming: We talk/think too much. As shown above, we talk/think the same statements over and over again rather than beginning to dream of new approaches. This is your week to shake things up.
How did Adam save his life this week? He had a tough Monday. Every challenge that could have presented itself to him did just that. As his weary body left work to do the typical errands on his way home, something told him to Stop. He felt like treating himself to a different route, one that presented lovely vistas, less traffic and time to breathe. He put in a soothing CD. He later learned that a fatal accident took place on his typical route home that he could easily have involved him.
Like Adam, I hope you treat yourself to time to dream this week. It could save your life, job or relationship. I love hearing your stories of how these weekly success thoughts play out in your life. Please keep them coming as I truly value each and every one.
Have an outstanding week and enjoy your discoveries!
By Ann Golden Eglé
Published: 7/23/2008
Can you remember when using your imagination used to be a teacher’s suggestion? Have we stopped dreaming about our next wonderful thing? Here’s an article to stimulate new thinking and new behavior.
Stop Talking and Dream
Adam quite literally saved his life on Monday of this week when he stopped his thought process to dream up a new approach. Imagine what is possible for you.
Collectively, society has stopped dreaming. We focus on ‘what is in front of us’ instead of dreaming of ‘how to shake things up and make them better.’ We remember the challenge and forget the rush of amazing ourselves (and others).
Unless we have stimuli to change, the pace of our days causes you and I slip into old modes of thinking and behaving. This does not get us beyond where we were yesterday. Is that where you want to be? Here are some old patterns that we easily slip into, along with dream patterns to immediately shake things up:
"It’s impossible to have time to exercise and eat right with my schedule."
--STOP--
Dream: I can control your schedule.
What small changes will create time to take care of ‘me’ first?
"Staff meetings are a waste of time as we rarely accomplish anything."
--STOP--
Dream: We are dynamic, brilliant individuals who are not living up to our potential.
How can we inspire one another to grow? What haven’t we tried?
"I feel comfortable raising my sales quota by 8% every year."
--STOP--
Dream: What if I were to raise it 33%, 50%, 120%?
What if I focused on the dream? My due diligence will follow. If I begin solely with due diligence, my dream will not materialize.
"She never listens to me, so why even try?"
--STOP--
Dream: Apparently, my approach hasn’t worked in the past. I know I can get her attention. What are her motives? What truly intrigues her?
"Life used to be simple, predictable - now it’s too complicated."
--STOP--
Dream: Life is richer than it was last year at this time. Challenging, yes, yet the possibilities are endless. Perhaps I’ll step back and appreciate simplicity rather than complexity this week. Ahhhhh.
"I’ve always been this way so…."
--STOP--
Dream: It’s a brand new day. I can be as creative, outrageous, dynamic, confident and attractive as I want. I dream of changing and creating a better me.
The biggest challenge preventing us from dreaming: We talk/think too much. As shown above, we talk/think the same statements over and over again rather than beginning to dream of new approaches. This is your week to shake things up.
How did Adam save his life this week? He had a tough Monday. Every challenge that could have presented itself to him did just that. As his weary body left work to do the typical errands on his way home, something told him to Stop. He felt like treating himself to a different route, one that presented lovely vistas, less traffic and time to breathe. He put in a soothing CD. He later learned that a fatal accident took place on his typical route home that he could easily have involved him.
Like Adam, I hope you treat yourself to time to dream this week. It could save your life, job or relationship. I love hearing your stories of how these weekly success thoughts play out in your life. Please keep them coming as I truly value each and every one.
Have an outstanding week and enjoy your discoveries!
By Ann Golden Eglé
Published: 7/23/2008
Living the Happiness Formula
Living the Happiness Formula
A 92 year-old man, small built, but with an erect posture, is fully dressed each morning at 8 o'clock, with his hair well groomed, and clean shaven, even though he is legally blind. Today he is waiting to be moved into a nursing home.
His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making it necessary for him to move. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of his nursing home, he smiles sweetly when told that his room is ready.
As I help him maneuver his walker to the elevator., I provide a visual description of the new room in the nursing home, about the furniture, including the design and color of the curtains. "I love it," he says with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old who is presented with a new puppy.
"Mr. Parker, you haven't even arrived in your room yet, just wait." "That doesn't have anything to do with it," he answers."Happiness is something you decide ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the room is furnished or arranged...It's how I arrange my mind. I already have decided to love it."
"It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice, I can spend the day in bed thinking about all the problems I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or I can get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do work."
"Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away, just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you is to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories."
"Thank you for your part in filling my memory bank. I am still depositing."
Remember the five rules to be happy:
- Free your heart of hatred
- Free your mind of worries
- Live simply
- Give more
- Expect less
Gerry Hopman is a humorist, motivational speaker and author, who believes that humor and laughter are essential to finding and maintaining balance in life and career.
Humor-Laughter.com
Humor and laughter are the most underrated and undervalued tolls in society today.
By Gerry Hopman
Published: 7/14/2008
A 92 year-old man, small built, but with an erect posture, is fully dressed each morning at 8 o'clock, with his hair well groomed, and clean shaven, even though he is legally blind. Today he is waiting to be moved into a nursing home.
His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making it necessary for him to move. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of his nursing home, he smiles sweetly when told that his room is ready.
As I help him maneuver his walker to the elevator., I provide a visual description of the new room in the nursing home, about the furniture, including the design and color of the curtains. "I love it," he says with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old who is presented with a new puppy.
"Mr. Parker, you haven't even arrived in your room yet, just wait." "That doesn't have anything to do with it," he answers."Happiness is something you decide ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the room is furnished or arranged...It's how I arrange my mind. I already have decided to love it."
"It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice, I can spend the day in bed thinking about all the problems I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or I can get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do work."
"Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away, just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you is to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories."
"Thank you for your part in filling my memory bank. I am still depositing."
Remember the five rules to be happy:
- Free your heart of hatred
- Free your mind of worries
- Live simply
- Give more
- Expect less
Gerry Hopman is a humorist, motivational speaker and author, who believes that humor and laughter are essential to finding and maintaining balance in life and career.
Humor-Laughter.com
Humor and laughter are the most underrated and undervalued tolls in society today.
By Gerry Hopman
Published: 7/14/2008
How to think creatively
How to think creatively:
1. Find new ways of doing things.
2. Believe it can be done and you’ll find a way; nothing is impossible.
3. Welcome new ideas; be receptive.
4. Soak up good ideas.
5. Ask yourself "How can I do it better?
6. Your mind has an endless memory capacity, use it!
7. Do what you do better, and do more of what you do.
8. If you want something done, give it to a busy man or women; these people do things decisively and quickly (they don’t have time not to).
9. Encourage others to talk, this way, you receive new information.
10. Test your ideas by saying "What will make this work?
11. Listen, concentrate, and emulate what other people are saying.
12. Expose yourself to ideas of intelligent others.
13. Don’t let ideas escape, write them down.
14. Present your ideas in writing, they have more power.
15. Mix with people of different occupational and social interest.
16. Do it!
In business, if we are to remain interesting and informed, we should:
1. Regularly read a good business newspaper (select only pertinent articles, save time).
2. Read at least one business magazine per week.
3. Read trade association magazines and good books in the field of your interest. Make full use of the data obtained.
4. Try to read six inspirational and self-improvement books per year.
5. Talk to other business people as much as possible.
6. Listen to business people as much as possible.
7. Observe and keep current on business procedures and conditions.
Eight (8) things we all want and need:
1. Health and the preservation of life.
2. Food.
3. Sleep.
4. Life in the hereafter.
5. The well-being of our children.
6. Money and things money will buy
7. A feeling of importance and appreciation.
8. Sexual gratification.
1. Find new ways of doing things.
2. Believe it can be done and you’ll find a way; nothing is impossible.
3. Welcome new ideas; be receptive.
4. Soak up good ideas.
5. Ask yourself "How can I do it better?
6. Your mind has an endless memory capacity, use it!
7. Do what you do better, and do more of what you do.
8. If you want something done, give it to a busy man or women; these people do things decisively and quickly (they don’t have time not to).
9. Encourage others to talk, this way, you receive new information.
10. Test your ideas by saying "What will make this work?
11. Listen, concentrate, and emulate what other people are saying.
12. Expose yourself to ideas of intelligent others.
13. Don’t let ideas escape, write them down.
14. Present your ideas in writing, they have more power.
15. Mix with people of different occupational and social interest.
16. Do it!
In business, if we are to remain interesting and informed, we should:
1. Regularly read a good business newspaper (select only pertinent articles, save time).
2. Read at least one business magazine per week.
3. Read trade association magazines and good books in the field of your interest. Make full use of the data obtained.
4. Try to read six inspirational and self-improvement books per year.
5. Talk to other business people as much as possible.
6. Listen to business people as much as possible.
7. Observe and keep current on business procedures and conditions.
Eight (8) things we all want and need:
1. Health and the preservation of life.
2. Food.
3. Sleep.
4. Life in the hereafter.
5. The well-being of our children.
6. Money and things money will buy
7. A feeling of importance and appreciation.
8. Sexual gratification.
Self Motivation: Physical is Psychical
Self Motivation: Physical is Psychical
Relations between Physical - Psychical is the foundation of self motivation and goal achievement.
Yes, It is truth.
Your Physical condition depend most of all on your Psychical and emotional condition.
I study this for many years and I discovered that connection between Physical and Psychical is stronger than I thought.
I read in Yahoo! Questions many people ask why they start loosing weight faster or store more fats than before. This is because of the stress and stress is Psychical condition.
So, first thing we should do before start weight loss or muscle gain program is to take care about our Psychical condition and keep it as better as possible.
You have to be positive, happy, think with love and joy. These emotions are our emotional guide, which help us monitor our Psychical condition.
It is very hard to go back to road after you have had some emotional problems such as: Relation break, People don't like me, I am ugly, I am fat and so on...
I have had some of these as well and I know it is hard to go on.
I discovered that solution is very close to us and it's not so hard to go back.
I suggest you some tricks and tips to prevent stress and bad psychical condition and go back to your normal healthy fitness way of life:
1) Don't close yourself. Be with people all the time.
This helps because when other people around you are in better psychical condition it is very hard to be stressed and it's easy to balance your condition. It works!
2) When you are depressed don't try to be with other depressed people.
Try to find happy company and people who are naturally positive thinkers. Don't try to find other depressed people.
3) Watch lots of comedies and funny movies.
Remember: Your emotions are your guide.
Being happy and laughing all the time is very good way to keep stress away.
Tip: If you feel yourself thinking bad thinks and feel unhappy try to think about your favorites things. Imagine a cute baby for example!
4) Find mentor.
It is very helpful when there is someone who can help you and give you advice all the time. Someone with strong valuable and moral system.
I believe fitness and health life depend most of all on our Psychical condition.
Ones we handle it our fitness training, weight loss and diet programs are going to be more effective and productive.
I hope this will be useful information for you and I am open for your stories, questions and suggestions.
If someone write me about his own successful story I will be very happy.
Visit also: BodyFitWork.com
By Miroslav Nikolov
Published: 7/28/2008
Relations between Physical - Psychical is the foundation of self motivation and goal achievement.
Yes, It is truth.
Your Physical condition depend most of all on your Psychical and emotional condition.
I study this for many years and I discovered that connection between Physical and Psychical is stronger than I thought.
I read in Yahoo! Questions many people ask why they start loosing weight faster or store more fats than before. This is because of the stress and stress is Psychical condition.
So, first thing we should do before start weight loss or muscle gain program is to take care about our Psychical condition and keep it as better as possible.
You have to be positive, happy, think with love and joy. These emotions are our emotional guide, which help us monitor our Psychical condition.
It is very hard to go back to road after you have had some emotional problems such as: Relation break, People don't like me, I am ugly, I am fat and so on...
I have had some of these as well and I know it is hard to go on.
I discovered that solution is very close to us and it's not so hard to go back.
I suggest you some tricks and tips to prevent stress and bad psychical condition and go back to your normal healthy fitness way of life:
1) Don't close yourself. Be with people all the time.
This helps because when other people around you are in better psychical condition it is very hard to be stressed and it's easy to balance your condition. It works!
2) When you are depressed don't try to be with other depressed people.
Try to find happy company and people who are naturally positive thinkers. Don't try to find other depressed people.
3) Watch lots of comedies and funny movies.
Remember: Your emotions are your guide.
Being happy and laughing all the time is very good way to keep stress away.
Tip: If you feel yourself thinking bad thinks and feel unhappy try to think about your favorites things. Imagine a cute baby for example!
4) Find mentor.
It is very helpful when there is someone who can help you and give you advice all the time. Someone with strong valuable and moral system.
I believe fitness and health life depend most of all on our Psychical condition.
Ones we handle it our fitness training, weight loss and diet programs are going to be more effective and productive.
I hope this will be useful information for you and I am open for your stories, questions and suggestions.
If someone write me about his own successful story I will be very happy.
Visit also: BodyFitWork.com
By Miroslav Nikolov
Published: 7/28/2008
How To Achieve More In Months Than In Previous Years
How To Achieve More In Months Than In Previous Years
Did you know that by being aware of, and by controlling your thoughts you can achieve more in months that you did in the past few years? Are you not where you want to be in your life? You want happiness and success, yet you can’t seem to get any closer to achieving that wonderful life, even after years of trying?
By Hani Al-Qasem
Did you know that by being aware of, and by controlling your thoughts you can achieve more in months that you did in the past few years?
Are you not where you want to be in your life? You want happiness and success, yet you can’t seem to get any closer to achieving that wonderful life, even after years of trying?
Let me ask you, have you heard these two statements before: ‘It’s all in the mind’ or ‘Stop thinking you are sick and you’ll feel better.’ Ponder over these for a minute. Do you think there is any truth in them? Sure there is. That’s the power of thought in action. Stop thinking you’re sick and sure enough you will feel and become better.
The thoughts that you hold in your mind are preventing you from living a blissful life. Your moment-by-moment thoughts shape your life, your destiny.
Everything and anything in your world and mine happens as a result of the power of our thoughts. When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone it was first a thought. Colonel Sanders first thought of the idea of his chicken recipe. Walt Disney first had the thought of a massive fairground. They all started as thoughts. Action followed. But they all began as a thought.
Look at the simple day-to-day events. You think about getting out of bed. You think about what to have for breakfast, what clothes to wear, to remember to take your umbrella. Every step of your life is preceded by thought. Everything you do is directed by your thoughts.
Your principal, core thoughts that you have held over the years form and shape your life. These ‘inner’ thoughts create your present and future ‘outer’ world. In other words, your thoughts affect your circumstances and outcomes.
Since your thoughts affect your life and what you think about materialises, it goes to say that it is imperative that you mind your thoughts; that you keep a watchful eye on your moment-by-moment thoughts.
If someone constantly talks about their lack of money, or that they cannot afford to buy this or that, for example, then their predominant thoughts are, ‘I don’t have enough money in my life.’ And since lacking money is their primary thought and focus, they will continue to lack money. The same goes for lacking self-confidence. If they walk around saying ‘I can’t do this or that’, then they will remain where they are in their life; unable to progress because they have no self-confidence. That’s the way the brain works. What you focus on happens.
Things do not get better or improve until you change your thoughts. You need to change your thinking patterns.
Your financial situation will change when you take charge of your life by establishing new empowering money thoughts. You will take action by having the thoughts that drive you to take action. Similarly, you will have joy and happiness in your life when you adopt the happiness thought patterns.
You create your circumstances with your thoughts. Your thoughts are creating something every moment of every day. And the scary thing that you must realise is that most events, outcomes and circumstances are created unconsciously; without any awareness or conscious effort on your part.
How did that come about? If you went through life saying statements like, ‘I’ll never be rich’ ‘I don’t deserve this’ ‘Life sucks’ ‘Life is just one pain after the next’ ‘I can’t do this,’ you have created thoughts that you will never have any money, that you will remain unhappy in your life and stay stuck where you are now.
When you question yourself later in life why you feel unconfident in certain situations, or why your financial area has not improved, you will have forgotten that you programmed yourself not to feel confident or to have any money years ago.
Then no matter what you do at a conscious level, irrespective of how much you want to be rich, live a happy and joyful life, or be a success, your predominant, unconscious thoughts dictate the opposite, which is your reality.
The thoughts you hold bring about circumstances in your life that are in complete opposition to what it is you want in your life.
Rather than being unaware of the power of thoughts, you can choose to have the thoughts than will change all that, so you may truly live the life you desire. And you do so by reprogramming your thoughts.
Instead of lacking money to do what you want or have, instead of not having the motivation to get ahead in life, you can replace these damaging thoughts with powerful thoughts that can give you all that you want in life and more in a short period of time.
Always remember than your unconscious thought patterns dictate what is produced in every aspect of your life. Take charge of your unconscious, core, habitual thoughts now. You deserve to live a happy and successful life.
For more information on how to have a meaningful life and to expand your personal capacity for happiness and success, visit: http://www.insight4you.com Hani Al-Qasem is a self-improvement expert. He co-authored the e-book “Self-Confidence Building in 7 Steps.” Go to the website above now and download your FREE copy of the e-book and start today to change your life for the better.
Article republished from Copy & Paste Articles
Did you know that by being aware of, and by controlling your thoughts you can achieve more in months that you did in the past few years? Are you not where you want to be in your life? You want happiness and success, yet you can’t seem to get any closer to achieving that wonderful life, even after years of trying?
By Hani Al-Qasem
Did you know that by being aware of, and by controlling your thoughts you can achieve more in months that you did in the past few years?
Are you not where you want to be in your life? You want happiness and success, yet you can’t seem to get any closer to achieving that wonderful life, even after years of trying?
Let me ask you, have you heard these two statements before: ‘It’s all in the mind’ or ‘Stop thinking you are sick and you’ll feel better.’ Ponder over these for a minute. Do you think there is any truth in them? Sure there is. That’s the power of thought in action. Stop thinking you’re sick and sure enough you will feel and become better.
The thoughts that you hold in your mind are preventing you from living a blissful life. Your moment-by-moment thoughts shape your life, your destiny.
Everything and anything in your world and mine happens as a result of the power of our thoughts. When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone it was first a thought. Colonel Sanders first thought of the idea of his chicken recipe. Walt Disney first had the thought of a massive fairground. They all started as thoughts. Action followed. But they all began as a thought.
Look at the simple day-to-day events. You think about getting out of bed. You think about what to have for breakfast, what clothes to wear, to remember to take your umbrella. Every step of your life is preceded by thought. Everything you do is directed by your thoughts.
Your principal, core thoughts that you have held over the years form and shape your life. These ‘inner’ thoughts create your present and future ‘outer’ world. In other words, your thoughts affect your circumstances and outcomes.
Since your thoughts affect your life and what you think about materialises, it goes to say that it is imperative that you mind your thoughts; that you keep a watchful eye on your moment-by-moment thoughts.
If someone constantly talks about their lack of money, or that they cannot afford to buy this or that, for example, then their predominant thoughts are, ‘I don’t have enough money in my life.’ And since lacking money is their primary thought and focus, they will continue to lack money. The same goes for lacking self-confidence. If they walk around saying ‘I can’t do this or that’, then they will remain where they are in their life; unable to progress because they have no self-confidence. That’s the way the brain works. What you focus on happens.
Things do not get better or improve until you change your thoughts. You need to change your thinking patterns.
Your financial situation will change when you take charge of your life by establishing new empowering money thoughts. You will take action by having the thoughts that drive you to take action. Similarly, you will have joy and happiness in your life when you adopt the happiness thought patterns.
You create your circumstances with your thoughts. Your thoughts are creating something every moment of every day. And the scary thing that you must realise is that most events, outcomes and circumstances are created unconsciously; without any awareness or conscious effort on your part.
How did that come about? If you went through life saying statements like, ‘I’ll never be rich’ ‘I don’t deserve this’ ‘Life sucks’ ‘Life is just one pain after the next’ ‘I can’t do this,’ you have created thoughts that you will never have any money, that you will remain unhappy in your life and stay stuck where you are now.
When you question yourself later in life why you feel unconfident in certain situations, or why your financial area has not improved, you will have forgotten that you programmed yourself not to feel confident or to have any money years ago.
Then no matter what you do at a conscious level, irrespective of how much you want to be rich, live a happy and joyful life, or be a success, your predominant, unconscious thoughts dictate the opposite, which is your reality.
The thoughts you hold bring about circumstances in your life that are in complete opposition to what it is you want in your life.
Rather than being unaware of the power of thoughts, you can choose to have the thoughts than will change all that, so you may truly live the life you desire. And you do so by reprogramming your thoughts.
Instead of lacking money to do what you want or have, instead of not having the motivation to get ahead in life, you can replace these damaging thoughts with powerful thoughts that can give you all that you want in life and more in a short period of time.
Always remember than your unconscious thought patterns dictate what is produced in every aspect of your life. Take charge of your unconscious, core, habitual thoughts now. You deserve to live a happy and successful life.
For more information on how to have a meaningful life and to expand your personal capacity for happiness and success, visit: http://www.insight4you.com Hani Al-Qasem is a self-improvement expert. He co-authored the e-book “Self-Confidence Building in 7 Steps.” Go to the website above now and download your FREE copy of the e-book and start today to change your life for the better.
Article republished from Copy & Paste Articles
How to Show To Employers You Are Motivated
How to Show To Employers You Are Motivated
By: Amelia Turner
Employers are not always selecting the best candidates in term of academic results or the most experience in the field to fill up their job vacancies. What actually make those success candidates in an interview session stand out of crowd and be successfully secured the job? You must be surprised to the answer from most employers: Self-motivation on how a person is committed to the job that made them being offered to the job position.
You might know this is the key differentiator that can make you stand out of crowd. The question is how are you going to demonstrate to the employers that you are motivated and be able to commit to the job if you are offered with the job?
During the interview session, you can tell the employer that you are motivated with the job offer, but the employer may not be able to see through your action if you don't demonstrate it. How to demonstrate you are self-motivated? You may ask. Fortunately, it isn't all that difficult as you may think to prove that you are a good self-motivation person. In fact, it can be surprisingly easy to do through some simple actions that may, on the surface, seem like nothing special. If you demonstrate these actions, you are showing that you are self-motivated that will automatically make you stand out from crowd and being noticed by employers.
What actions are we talking about? Here are some examples:
1. Conducting Informal Interviews with Employers
Let the employers see your self-motivation by contacting the prospective employers to learn more about the career opportunities in their company. The companies may not have any vacant position for new hiring at the moment, but you can show your initiative by contacting the employers and have an informal discussion or a short interview with the employers to see any possibility to start your career there in the future. You could also hand in your resume to the employers to review and remind the employers to call you for a formal interview when there are vacant positions that meet your career interest.
2. Tailor Your Resumes and Cover Letters To Each Company's Need
Do you know that some differences on your resumes or cover letters may make you stand out from crowd? Most of job applicants are using the standard format of resumes and cover letters. Imagine that when the employer screen through the stack of application letters and reviews the resume of each applicant, if they see one that is tailored to the company's need, they definitely will pay an attention on it and resulting in positive impression. You are showing the employer that you are spending time and effort to write your resume and application letter to their specific needs. With that, you have offered tangible evidence of your self-motivation.
3. Doing Something Out of the Ordinary
During your internship or summer job or any volunteering work that you have done for a company for free or specific projects during your college time, try to do something that is out of the ordinary. For example you may offer yourself to develop a website for a local nonprofit organization or volunteer yourself for doing the evaluation tests to help in finding solution for a problem, or you can even develop a project to meet the company specific needs. In these cases, you are showing a self-motivation behavior and these companies may approach you for a job after your graduation.
Summary
Self-motivation is very important to make you stand out from crowd and being noticed by employers. Don't just tell employers that you are a self-motivated person, instead, show to them with your actions.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
Amelia Turner, an educational article writer for http://www.your-online-degree.info You can find more details information and free resources about accredited online universities, distance learning programs, financial aids and other accredited online education
Tags: business, careers-employment, self-motivation, career advancement, resume, cover letter, job application, online education
By: Amelia Turner
Employers are not always selecting the best candidates in term of academic results or the most experience in the field to fill up their job vacancies. What actually make those success candidates in an interview session stand out of crowd and be successfully secured the job? You must be surprised to the answer from most employers: Self-motivation on how a person is committed to the job that made them being offered to the job position.
You might know this is the key differentiator that can make you stand out of crowd. The question is how are you going to demonstrate to the employers that you are motivated and be able to commit to the job if you are offered with the job?
During the interview session, you can tell the employer that you are motivated with the job offer, but the employer may not be able to see through your action if you don't demonstrate it. How to demonstrate you are self-motivated? You may ask. Fortunately, it isn't all that difficult as you may think to prove that you are a good self-motivation person. In fact, it can be surprisingly easy to do through some simple actions that may, on the surface, seem like nothing special. If you demonstrate these actions, you are showing that you are self-motivated that will automatically make you stand out from crowd and being noticed by employers.
What actions are we talking about? Here are some examples:
1. Conducting Informal Interviews with Employers
Let the employers see your self-motivation by contacting the prospective employers to learn more about the career opportunities in their company. The companies may not have any vacant position for new hiring at the moment, but you can show your initiative by contacting the employers and have an informal discussion or a short interview with the employers to see any possibility to start your career there in the future. You could also hand in your resume to the employers to review and remind the employers to call you for a formal interview when there are vacant positions that meet your career interest.
2. Tailor Your Resumes and Cover Letters To Each Company's Need
Do you know that some differences on your resumes or cover letters may make you stand out from crowd? Most of job applicants are using the standard format of resumes and cover letters. Imagine that when the employer screen through the stack of application letters and reviews the resume of each applicant, if they see one that is tailored to the company's need, they definitely will pay an attention on it and resulting in positive impression. You are showing the employer that you are spending time and effort to write your resume and application letter to their specific needs. With that, you have offered tangible evidence of your self-motivation.
3. Doing Something Out of the Ordinary
During your internship or summer job or any volunteering work that you have done for a company for free or specific projects during your college time, try to do something that is out of the ordinary. For example you may offer yourself to develop a website for a local nonprofit organization or volunteer yourself for doing the evaluation tests to help in finding solution for a problem, or you can even develop a project to meet the company specific needs. In these cases, you are showing a self-motivation behavior and these companies may approach you for a job after your graduation.
Summary
Self-motivation is very important to make you stand out from crowd and being noticed by employers. Don't just tell employers that you are a self-motivated person, instead, show to them with your actions.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
Amelia Turner, an educational article writer for http://www.your-online-degree.info You can find more details information and free resources about accredited online universities, distance learning programs, financial aids and other accredited online education
Tags: business, careers-employment, self-motivation, career advancement, resume, cover letter, job application, online education
Student Motivation: Inspiring The Future
Student Motivation: Inspiring The Future
By: Matthew Hick
One of the most important aspects of a teacher's job is to motivate students. In order for a student to be motivated, he or she must possess a desire to learn and be willing to aim this desire toward achieving academic goals. For successful student motivation to occur, a student must want to participate in the learning process.
This is not a simple task for teachers to accomplish; but when done correctly, student motivation can have great results. A high school student who has little or no interest in attending college can be motivated enough to change his or her mind. It only takes one teacher, and sometimes the guidance of parents - but it certainly can be done.
There are several factors that have a direct effect upon student motivation. Among them are:
- Academic challenges
- Parental involvement in a student's academic life
- The building of a student's self-esteem
Let us take a more in-depth look at each one of these factors.
Academic challenges:
Praise, enthusiasm, positive feedback, rewards, and a positive environment are just a few ways a teacher can help stimulate student motivation. Praising a student for positive efforts he or she makes in the classroom encourages learning. Through praise, a student will understand that he or she is on the right path. More often than not, praise will make the student continue to do a good job.
Rewards also work well for student motivation. Students love getting a piece of candy from the teacher's candy jar, or even a day of no homework because of good classroom behavior. Student motivation can be achieved simply when the teacher puts a gold star on an A+ exam.
While praise and rewards promote high levels of student motivation, positive feedback from the teacher is also key. A teacher commending a student for a job well done or sending a letter to the student's parents expressing how well their child is doing in school can greatly motivate a student. By giving positive feedback, a teacher can let a student know that they are doing well and can also suggest how a student can improve on any weaknesses. Through feedback, a student will understand what the teacher expects.
Students also benefit when a teacher is motivated to teach. Teacher enthusiasm increases student motivation. When a teacher shows excitement about a subject, he or she can motivate students to learn.
Parental involvement:
Student motivation begins when the toddler is at home learning the basic functions of life, such as walking. When the toddler is just about to take his or her first step, the parent is providing support so that the child does not fall. Every time positive recognition is received, the child is motivated to achieve more goals. This is why it is vital for parents to show support and enthusiasm during these experiences.
Another helpful way to start a young child on the right path to learning is providing educational toys and books for the child. A parent can also view educational television shows with the child. A simple toy can help a child learn ABC's and 1, 2, 3's. This helps build future student motivation. Coloring books, magnetic letters, building blocks, and television shows like Sesame Street are all great motivational devices. A parent should encourage a child to ask questions about such games, books, and shows. Once a child is old enough to be a student, he or she will then understand that there is nothing wrong with asking the teacher for help. After a child becomes a student, responsibility lies with the parents to become involved in his or her academic life.
Student self-esteem:
Student self-esteem comes from within the student. It can fluctuate depending on daily experiences. Students who do not receive a grade they were hoping for can experience low self-esteem. However, when a student answers a question correctly in class and gets recognized for a job well done, his or her self-esteem will be raised. A student's self-esteem can also rise by participating in extracurricular activities. A student will feel accomplished when he or she is able to perform in a play, win a key club competition, or score a point for the basketball team.
Student motivation comes from within the student. However, there are many factors and people who can help the student remain motivated. With the will to learn and the enthusiasm of others, students will be inspired to do well in school.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
Visit http://eWebCreator.com to learn how to operate successful Adsense Websites. Matthew Hick has been designing Niche Adsense Websites for 5+ years. Motivation Tips at http://Motivation-Today.com
Tags: self-improvement, inspiration, motivation, motivation coach, motivation theory, student motivation, self motivation
By: Matthew Hick
One of the most important aspects of a teacher's job is to motivate students. In order for a student to be motivated, he or she must possess a desire to learn and be willing to aim this desire toward achieving academic goals. For successful student motivation to occur, a student must want to participate in the learning process.
This is not a simple task for teachers to accomplish; but when done correctly, student motivation can have great results. A high school student who has little or no interest in attending college can be motivated enough to change his or her mind. It only takes one teacher, and sometimes the guidance of parents - but it certainly can be done.
There are several factors that have a direct effect upon student motivation. Among them are:
- Academic challenges
- Parental involvement in a student's academic life
- The building of a student's self-esteem
Let us take a more in-depth look at each one of these factors.
Academic challenges:
Praise, enthusiasm, positive feedback, rewards, and a positive environment are just a few ways a teacher can help stimulate student motivation. Praising a student for positive efforts he or she makes in the classroom encourages learning. Through praise, a student will understand that he or she is on the right path. More often than not, praise will make the student continue to do a good job.
Rewards also work well for student motivation. Students love getting a piece of candy from the teacher's candy jar, or even a day of no homework because of good classroom behavior. Student motivation can be achieved simply when the teacher puts a gold star on an A+ exam.
While praise and rewards promote high levels of student motivation, positive feedback from the teacher is also key. A teacher commending a student for a job well done or sending a letter to the student's parents expressing how well their child is doing in school can greatly motivate a student. By giving positive feedback, a teacher can let a student know that they are doing well and can also suggest how a student can improve on any weaknesses. Through feedback, a student will understand what the teacher expects.
Students also benefit when a teacher is motivated to teach. Teacher enthusiasm increases student motivation. When a teacher shows excitement about a subject, he or she can motivate students to learn.
Parental involvement:
Student motivation begins when the toddler is at home learning the basic functions of life, such as walking. When the toddler is just about to take his or her first step, the parent is providing support so that the child does not fall. Every time positive recognition is received, the child is motivated to achieve more goals. This is why it is vital for parents to show support and enthusiasm during these experiences.
Another helpful way to start a young child on the right path to learning is providing educational toys and books for the child. A parent can also view educational television shows with the child. A simple toy can help a child learn ABC's and 1, 2, 3's. This helps build future student motivation. Coloring books, magnetic letters, building blocks, and television shows like Sesame Street are all great motivational devices. A parent should encourage a child to ask questions about such games, books, and shows. Once a child is old enough to be a student, he or she will then understand that there is nothing wrong with asking the teacher for help. After a child becomes a student, responsibility lies with the parents to become involved in his or her academic life.
Student self-esteem:
Student self-esteem comes from within the student. It can fluctuate depending on daily experiences. Students who do not receive a grade they were hoping for can experience low self-esteem. However, when a student answers a question correctly in class and gets recognized for a job well done, his or her self-esteem will be raised. A student's self-esteem can also rise by participating in extracurricular activities. A student will feel accomplished when he or she is able to perform in a play, win a key club competition, or score a point for the basketball team.
Student motivation comes from within the student. However, there are many factors and people who can help the student remain motivated. With the will to learn and the enthusiasm of others, students will be inspired to do well in school.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
Visit http://eWebCreator.com to learn how to operate successful Adsense Websites. Matthew Hick has been designing Niche Adsense Websites for 5+ years. Motivation Tips at http://Motivation-Today.com
Tags: self-improvement, inspiration, motivation, motivation coach, motivation theory, student motivation, self motivation
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