The Art of Motivation
“Being and staying motivated is the key to success.”
Yeah, that’s what all the top moneymakers say. But I’m here to tell you – it’s hard. Really hard. Hard to get motivated, and sometimes harder to stay motivated. Day after day, call after call, failure or success, money or not – you have to stay motivated.
But, as I said, it’s not easy.
I know a lot of people that seem to always be motivated, full of energy and happiness, always a positive outlook. And that is great – that is what it takes to be successful!
But how in the world do they do it? Drugs? Caffeine? Energy drinks? Electroshock therapy?
For me, I am nearing the end of a long two-year bout of being unmotivated. Terribly unmotivated. Why? Well, I had to shut down my first business about two years ago. I have always had a dream of working for myself, ever since I was a little kid, knee-high to a grasshopper. After I shut it down, I shut down.
Don’t get me wrong – I went out and got a “real” job. Stress free, but also challenge free. It’s taken a while, but I am starting to get back in the groove – but, like I said, it is by no means easy.
So what am I going to do to get motivated, and stay motivated? There are many ways, some will work for you, some won’t. Every person is different, but here is what I do:
1. Imagine what your business will eventually look like. Imagine your own building, your own big office with a large window looking out at a wonderful day. Imagine your employees bustling about, and the orders pouring in. Imagine the feeling of everthing working out, and the freedom that comes with it.
2. Set deadlines. I really don’t like deadlines, but they work. They help you stay focused. To take it one step further, call your customer and tell them that you will be at their office next Wednesday with everything in hand. I find it much more difficult to cancel or re-schedule an appointment than to get done what I promised.
3. Tell your friends and collegues what you are doing, and what comes up every day. That keeps you going, looking forward to the next thing you can brag about. Your friends will be amazed at what you get accomplished as well.
4. Meet other small business owners. That will give you other people to relate to and share stories with. You will want to “keep up” with the other entrepreneurs. You will want to stay in the “club”, so to speak.
Every one has their own secret to staying motivated. Some people find it easier than others, and, for some, it just comes naturally. If you do what you love, and love what you do – sometimes you don’t need to focus on staying motivated. You just are.
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