Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. – Henry David Thoreau
Why is motivation so important? Let me tell you…It is the fire in your soul that keeps you yearning for the heat of accomplishment.
Whether you’re trying to achieve something yourself or lead others towards a goal, the ability to be self-motivated or to motivate others is crucial. When we meet people who are regarded as successful or high achievers, it’s tempting to assume that they are innately self-driven, or are natural leaders with high levels of motivation. This might be true, but it is just as likely that they learned and applied some motivational techniques.
The benefits of motivation to an individual are fairly obvious, since people who are motivated tend to be more successful in achieving their personal and professional goals,this internal motivation has benefits to self-esteem and confidence.
Three Golden Rules of Motivation
Motivation does not take place on its own. In order to be motivated or to motivate others, it’s important to remember three golden rules of motivation before considering any specific approach.
Rule 1 – Motivation with Clear Goals
Motivation and goal setting are inevitably linked. Without a goal or purpose, motivation is meaningless, at the same time motivation is a vital part of intentionally achieving any goal. Two of the most basic motivators are: knowing exactly what you are trying to achieve, and striving to achieve it. Not having a clear idea of your goal or not believing that the goal is attainable will negatively impact your levels of motivation.
Rule 2 – Motivation and Goals need to be Aligned
In order to achieve your goals, you need to be passionate about what you are working towards but more importantly, you need to do something daily that is linked to your goal. Whether you spend time visualizing, planning, reading or just talking to someone about your goal, it will all add up to keep your motivation high and the goal at the forefront of your mind. I find it useful to keep track of my accomplishments toward my goals in a journal. I even write down the things that got in the way that day and make a plan for how I will avoid the disruption the next time it pops up.
Rule 3 – Motivation is Fluid
Motivation is not a one-time event. Something that motivates you at one particular time may not work in the future, which is usually due to changes in your environment or circumstances. Even if circumstances stayed the same, the most powerful motivational factors will lose impact over time. For example, you may watch a Ted Talk and feel energized by a particular speaker, and feel highly motivated afterward to put what you heard into action. How long will the impact of what you heard last before you go back to your old ways of doing things?
A great place to start is by figuring out your vision, creating a plan and setting manageable goals to keep you motivated. You can find out more about Motivation and Vision or explore the FB group for support from the Tribe.
Inhale. Exhale.
Violet Buddha
Violet Buddha Blog 