| Motivation is a word that has been used extensively | | | | just sit back and hope it will happen. You have to |
| in recent years. Motivational speakers are | | | | make it happen." |
| everywhere and dozens of motivational books are | | | | "You are what you think of all day.' |
| published every month. But what does it mean? It is | | | | Self-talk is also of considerable value. We all have a |
| best described as a driving force -- a force that | | | | little voice going on in our head all day. Use it to talk |
| cannot be contained. It is a fire within that gives a | | | | to yourself (but be careful of doing it out loud in |
| person the passion and enthusiasm to reach the | | | | public). Use it to inspire yourself. Tell yourself that |
| highest levels of a sport, profession, or other | | | | you can do it. Think of the little voice as a |
| endeavor. | | | | motivational speaker. Talk passionately to yourself, |
| What does it take to achieve it? Will power is critical; | | | | let yourself go. Pump yourself up with enthusiasm. |
| in fact you have to have tremendous will power | | | | Encourage yourself. |
| along with a passion. Goals are also essential. You | | | | Closely associated with this is affirmations. They are |
| have to have something to motivate you, and goals | | | | brief statements you say to yourself for |
| are usually what you are striving to achieve. But how | | | | encouragement. If you say them enough, you soon |
| does super- motivation differ from ordinary | | | | begin to believe them. Examples are: |
| motivation? Basically, it's taking it a notch higher. It's | | | | "I will succeed, nothing can stop me." |
| motivation along with a fierce or stubborn | | | | "I can do it. I will keep at it." |
| determination to achieve a goal. It's what olympic | | | | Do this frequently throughout the day |
| athletes have when they are training. It's what other | | | | It's also important to visualize your goals as if they |
| athletes -- golfers tennis players and so on -- had | | | | are already accomplished. Think about how you will |
| when they were struggling to reach the highest | | | | feel. See the rewards. Feel happy and satisfied with |
| levels in their sport. Concert pianists and many others | | | | life. Don't let the hard work get you down. Thrive on |
| also had it. It's the motivation that takes you to the | | | | it, and the best way to do this is keep your energy |
| highest levels of success. People who have it push | | | | up with good health habits. This will help fuel your |
| forward with no second thoughts. Their motivations | | | | motivation. Finally, don't let mistakes slow you down, |
| is rifled in a particular direction, and they know where | | | | and don't let them depress you, Learn from them |
| they are going and what they want to achieve. | | | | and move on. |
| Few people have this type of motivation, as it takes | | | | What to Do When Your Motivation Slumps |
| a tremendous dedication and an incredible amount of | | | | We all have bad days. Even the most motivated and |
| work. But it is the fastest way to success, and even | | | | enthusiastic people have the occasional bad day, and |
| if you are not concerned with reaching the highest | | | | for most of us there will be more than a few. Don't |
| levels in your field, it can help you achieve your goals | | | | be discouraged; expect them and learn how to deal |
| faster. Many people become enthused about | | | | with them. A few things that help are: |
| something, but lose their enthusiasm when they find | | | | - Find inspiration in books and articles. When your |
| out how much work is involved. The super-motivated | | | | motivation starts to slump read about people who |
| don't let this stop them; they never lose their dream. | | | | have achieved the goal you want. Keep several |
| Super-motivation can, in fact, be used for many | | | | articles of this type ready for use. Read them over |
| things that are difficult for some people to achieve. | | | | and over whenever you need them. |
| Stopping smoking is a good example. Many people | | | | - Keep your eye on the benefits and rewards. Don't |
| are motivated to quit, but they try and try and | | | | think about the hard work you're going through, think |
| never achieve their goal. Many people also try to lose | | | | about the rewards. |
| weight and encounter the same problem. Simple, or | | | | - Squash any negative thoughts, in particular, |
| moderate, motivation isn't enough; it doesn't take | | | | thoughts about quitting, and whether it's really worth |
| them where they want to go. What they need is | | | | it. Don't let them enter your mind, and if they do, |
| super-motivation. | | | | substitute positive thoughts for them immediately. |
| Super-motivation can also be applied to learning a | | | | - Remember that this moment of your life is |
| new language, or a new technology quickly. Indeed, it | | | | precious. It will never come again, and you may |
| can be used for many things. In particular, if you | | | | never have another chance to attack your goal. Live |
| want to reach the highest levels in your profession, | | | | for today; tomorrow may be too late. |
| or any activity, you will do better with | | | | - Reward yourself for accomplishing what you have |
| super-motivation. | | | | so far. I'll leave the kind of reward up to you. |
| It's important to remember, though, that super | | | | - Face problems and challenges one at a time. The |
| motivation requires a strong desire and a passion to | | | | problem with some people is that they get |
| succeed -- a feeling of pushing forward and not | | | | overwhelmed and don't know how to attack all the |
| worrying about obstacles. It is achieved best when | | | | problems they are facing. It's important to take them |
| you have a love for what you are doing, or want to | | | | on one at a time and overcome them. |
| achieve. The hardships are not problems; you see | | | | - Don't let people deter you. If you have done your |
| only the end result -- the rewards. You know you will | | | | homework, know your abilities, and know what is |
| succeed. You train, or study, or work feverishly | | | | ahead of you and are confident you can achieve |
| toward your goal. | | | | your goal, don't let naysayers influence you. Ignore |
| How Motivation Helps You | | | | "You could never do that" talk. |
| High motivation has benefits besides letting you | | | | - Talk to positive people. Get encouragement from |
| achieve a goal faster than usual. It gives you | | | | them. Surround yourself with as many as possible. |
| self-esteem, and self confidence, particularly as you | | | | - Always finish what you are doing. You will have |
| achieve partial goals (short-term goals along the route | | | | many short term goals before you meet your major |
| to you major goal). It makes you feel better about | | | | goal. Finish each one at a time. Use determination to |
| yourself, and you learn to deal with challenges and | | | | get through each. |
| problems more effectively. You learn how to deal | | | | - Music is sometimes helpful. When you are down, |
| with worry as you become more and more confident | | | | sing a cheerful long; use it to lift your spirits. |
| you will succeed. You will also likely be happier, and | | | | The Magic Ingredient of Motivation: Hope |
| more satisfied with your life. Each day will be a new | | | | The spark that triggers motivation is hope, and it's |
| adventure. | | | | the flame that keeps it going. Hope is desire. It's the |
| How to Get Motivated: First Steps | | | | expectation of realizing your dream, and it's important |
| First of all you have to be motivated to do | | | | that you keep it alive. |
| something. So decide what you want. What is your | | | | Never lose hope; it gives you strength and it keeps |
| goal? Think about your passion for it. Ask yourself if | | | | you going. It is essential for strong motivation. The |
| you are passionate enough. It can't just be a "wish;" | | | | hope for something better gives you motivation; it's |
| a simple wish is not enough. See it as a serious goal. | | | | the fuel that keeps you going. |
| Get excited about it; learn everything about to make | | | | When you're feeling low, hope is what pulls you out |
| sure you are positive it is something you want | | | | of it. Hope is what makes you set goals. Hope gives |
| passionately. Read about others that have succeeded | | | | you faith that you will succeed. And if you have |
| in the same field or activity. Find out how they made | | | | tremendous hope for something, you will eventually |
| their way to the top, and what problems they | | | | get it. It's the magic ingredient, and something you |
| experienced on route. | | | | definitely need. |
| Build anticipation as you think about how you are | | | | How to stay Motivated for Life |
| going to achieve your goal. Set up a plan. think it | | | | Motivation for a single or even several goals is |
| through carefully as you modify, adjust and refine it. | | | | important, but even better is motivation for life. It |
| Get excited about the plan. Write out each step with | | | | gives your life meaning and makes it more complete. |
| short term goals along the way and time limits for | | | | So once you have motivation don't let it stop, and |
| each. Post the goals where you can see them. Look | | | | the best way to do this is to keep it alive by thinking |
| at them every day. | | | | about it every day. |
| How to Increase Your Motivation | | | | True motivation can be exciting. It fills you with |
| Several things can be used to increase your | | | | enthusiasm and anticipation. You bounce out of bed |
| motivation. One of the best is to use mantras, or | | | | every morning eager to go. Each new day is a new |
| slogans. Think about them as you read through them. | | | | adventure to you. And indeed you can sustain |
| Typical of them are; | | | | motivation for as long as you want, as long as you |
| "If you believe in yourself, anything is possible." | | | | try. Remember that motivation depends mainly on |
| "You can do anything you set your mind to." | | | | two things: emotions and imagination. Your emotions |
| "Challenge yourself -- you may be surprised. | | | | fire your feelings, and give you the urge to continue, |
| "If you want to accomplish anything in life, you can't | | | | and your imagination helps stoke the fire. |