How do I even start to get motivated?

I was asked to do a presentation in Winchester based around ‘Motivation’ and it was received well with many asking for the slides after the event.

This then made me think that maybe as a nation, motivation may be under a little pressure and having done some research, yep, it is. That drive, that energy, that impetus to push forward and make those changes have dwindled due to work overloads or draining energy to obtain dwindling work.

So Coaching to Success decided it might prove beneficial to write a feature on this subject and here we have it.

What motivates people in the world of work? One BIG motivator is clarity.  People need to know…

• Exactly what it is that they are supposed to do.
• Why they are supposed to do it.
• How it fits into the big picture.
• How it will be measured.
• When it is due.
• What standard of quality is expected
• How their efforts affect the work of others.

“The greater the clarity that a person has about their assignment and the order of priority in which it’s to be done, the happier and more empowered they feel right from the start.”

However, all too often we visit clients to find, at least in part, the opposite applies. With clarity, yes, something as simple as this, can offer a direction for people to aim towards, even if it’s yourself, find that clarity and you gain the motivation to reach it.

Self-motivation is complex but there are four main factors

• Confidence
• Positive Thinking
• Focus and Tangible Goal Setting
• Motivating environment

You need ALL FOUR to help move self-motivation forward quickly so let’s take each in turn:

5 steps to help you improve Confidence…

• Think about the achievements in your life
• Set achievable and realistic goals (S.M.A.R.T.)
• Seek those who model the competencies, skills, attributed that you desire
• Examine your Strengths to understand what you can build on
• Ascertain what others see as your strengths and key capabilities

Think positively … Not just about ‘now’ but also ‘positively’ about the future!

Quote by an unknown author…

“Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and choices you make today”

To help with moving your thoughts forwards, try the following:

• Create a strong vivid picture of what it would be like to achieve your goal
• Become aware of your daily thoughts. Write them down throughout the day. Stick them in a jar!?
• Develop positive affirmations about yourself. Repeat these to yourself throughout the morning, day, evening.
• Challenge negative thoughts – Replace with positive outcomes
• Practice ‘positive’ thinking about events, people, situations, the world and yourself every day until it becomes automatic!

With regards Goal Setting, Edwin A. Locke, established that ‘Goals’ should have the following characteristics:

• Clarity – Effective goals are clear, measurable, specific, and based on behaviour, not outcomes.
• Challenge – Goals should be difficult enough to be interesting, but not so difficult that you can’t reach them.
• Commitment – Goals should be attainable, and should be relevant –contribute significantly towards the major objectives.
• Regularity of Feedback – Monitor progress regularly to maintain sense of momentum/enthusiasm. Enjoy the progress.
• Sufficient Respect For Complexity – If the goal involves complex work, make sure that you don’t over-commit yourself.

With regards Motivational Environment, it’s best that we don’t rely entirely on those around us but we can occasionally look to them for support, and here are some things you could try:

• Ask or Look for interesting assignments
• Set up some ‘Easily Achievable’ goals (quick wins are great motivators)
• Look for ‘Team Work’ opportunities (makes you accountable to others)
• Ask or Look for ‘Specific’ targets and objectives (these help measure your success)
• Buddy up with someone you trust (there’s both support and accountability)
• Try not to work alone! Balance time spent working from home with time spent working with others.

In summary, no one can motivate anyone to do anything. All they can do is provide the incentive to motivate themselves! So here’s 9 effective strategies to help towards un-tapping your potential:

1. Cease indulging in self-limiting thinking
2. Train yourself to finish what you started
3. Live ‘fully’ today – refrain from dwelling what was in the past or simply ‘dreaming’ of things yet to come
4. Be willing to leave your comfort zone.
5. Choose to be happy! Don’t let others influence this, happy people are easily motivated.
6. Don’t fear making mistakes – Wisdom helps us avoid them and comes from making a million of them!
7. Never quit when you experience a setback or frustration
8. Spend an hour a day on self-development – Listen to inspiring MP3s, CDs or audio files, read good books etc
9. Dare to dream BIG! – Reach for the stars, the worst that can happen is you’ll hit the moon.

Coaching to success is renowned for the motivation it offers individuals in the coaching/training/workshop sessions so if you or members of your team are looking for that lift with ideas to get you going and believe in what you’re aiming for, contact Neil on  07761 187238 or email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk who, with tools and techniques, can assure you the buzz you need and to be amazed at what you will be able to achieve.