Not long
ago, a business owner who reads my column asked me this question:
I was
wondering what do you do when your motivation level is lacking, as well as your
self esteem? What do you do to regain the motivation needed to move on with
your plans and pursue your networking endeavors?
This is a
great question, and here’s my answer:
First of
all, let me say that I am as certain of what I’m about to say as anything in my
life: Motivation comes from within you, not from
outside you. No one can motivate you but yourself. I’m speaking long-term
motivation. Many years ago, author Frederick Herzberg wrote about motivation in
the Harvard Business Review, where he said that others can motivate you but
only in the short term. He called that KITA (Kick in the… Anatomy – that’s
really what he called it).
On the other
hand, long-term motivation comes from within. So, that begs the question: As a
business person, how do you motivate yourself when your motivation is low?
First, you
should understand that virtually all people have to deal with this at some
point throughout their professional lives. I’ve never met anyone who was immune
to this (I certainly am not). So, what do I do as an entrepreneur and
businessman when I feel down?
Here are
some of the things that have helped me:
1. Minimize
contact with negative people. This isn’t always completely possible but do it
as much as you can. At least do this for a short while. I really believe
that some people complain as though it were an Olympic event! Keep clear of
them while you are trying to get your mojo back.
2. Maximize
time with people that refuel your energy. You become the five or six people
with whom you hang out the most. Hang out with people who make you want to “do”
and “be” better. Set some meetings with them. Go to some business
events together – anything that puts positive people around you.
3. Read/listen/watch
positive things. If you are feeling down, read a positive book. Listen to an
audiobook or podcast with a positive message. Watch something that makes you
laugh. Surround yourself with some things you love to be influenced by. Let
that in to your life as much as possible.
4.
Prioritize the things you want to do and must do. Make a list. As a
businessman, I live by lists. The more I can get a handle on the things I need
and want to do – the easier it is to tackle them.
5. Eat the
elephant one bite at a time. Take that list you’ve created and tackle some of
that list EVERY DAY. If you really do this, you will be amazed at how much you
get accomplished. The more you accomplish, the better you will feel. They feed
each other.
There’s
plenty more we can do to generate motivation, but I believe the list above is a
good start. Also, keep this in mind: If your motivation is low it helps to step
out of the small picture (the day-to-day) and remember the big picture (why are
you doing what you do?). Allow yourself to be motivated by your bigger vision,
and let goals drive you. Remembering why you are doing what you do in business
can most certainly help you find some new energy to keep going.
If you’re
still struggling with motivation after reading and trying the above, one of my
friends had a great suggestion: Let your to-do list (suggestion no. 4) be
driven by a short-term goal: What would you like to achieve in the next week or
-- at most -- next month, that inspires you to act today? A small “win” can be
very motivating.
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