Everyone from athletes
to astronauts has trouble getting motivated from time-to-time. What
works for your co-worker may not work for you, so here's 5 sure-fire
strategies for getting yourself fired up. One's sure to do the trick.
Set Dynamic Goals
Write them in your
appointment diary. Every month, Monthly Goals. Every week, Weekly Goals.
Every day, To-Do Today. Putting things in writing represents commitment
in our culture. You are five times as likely to accomplish what you
write down. Reduce these goals to formula; If you want to make $100,000
this year, and that means 40 new accounts of $10,000 each, your mantra
for each months becomes "four-forty-ten." Use visual reminders. 4-40-10
big and bold on a sticky-note on the wall, on the phone, on the inside
of your briefcase, on the mirror. Keep them in your face.
Keep Score
Bowling would be
a lot less interesting if they took away the pins. And yet so many times,
we give it our best shot, then fail to tote up the points. Measure everything;
renewal business, new business, new prospects, face calls, phone calls,
outbound mail. Count it all. Go public with your results. Post them
where God and everybody can see them. Make yourself a "goal thermometer"
and fill in the red each week.
The Salami Approach
A big, hard, dry
salami can hang around for a long time without attracting much attention.
But take a slice off of it and get a taste, you want more, and more,
and more. Before you know it, you've eaten the whole thing. Break big
projects down into bite-size pieces. Make momentum work for you. A little
success is a lot more gratifying than a big failure.
Reward Yourself
"I'm going to finish
writing this article (or proposal, or contract, or direct-mail piece)
then I'm going to have a cup of coffee (or candy bar, or walk in the
park). Chocolate is a powerful motivator. So are vacations, new cars,
clothes, records, toys, whatever. Decide on something you really want,
set your sights, then go for it. Never cheat.
Loose to a Jerk
Develop a healthy
rivalry with someone you truly dislike. Dare them to a challenge, then
rise to it. Whoever said "winning is it's own reward" never watched
their rival grovel for second place. Go get 'um!