BE CONTAGIOUS

Motivated people are contagious. They are bubbly with energy, focused, and eager to do what it takes to achieve their goals.  The challenge comes when your initial motivation fades as life gets super busy or an unexpected personal crisis knocks the wind out of you.  

It is at times like these that you need to reach for these motivation boosters - the CD's that are really special for you personally and the books that have guided you.  

The first steps in any goal setting system, involves getting clear on what you want to achieve both in the short and long term. You can get a shot of motivation by actively fleshing out what your ideal outcome will look like after you have achieved your goals. 

For example, if you are focused on Hamilton Island, you can make a scrapbook of pictures of the area where the spa is and put pictures of you in the spa. Or pictures of you snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef; or of you eating in one of the great restaurants. Find advertisements of Hamilton Island from travel brochures and cut yourself into the pictures instead of the person in the advert. 

If you are working on shedding some extra pounds and getting fit before you go to Hamilton Island,  cut pictures out of a thin body and then put your head on the shoulders of that picture. You can cut out pictures of clothes that you will be able to wear comfortably when you have achieved your weight loss goals.  Don't try to "loose weight" because we are psychologically upset when we loose things and we always are excited when we find them again. Often we celebrate when we "FIND" something and then you gain the extra pounds to add to the old that you have "found". See yourself "discarding" weight that you don't want and throwing it away like you would old things in your wardrobe. You celebrate when the wardrobe is cleaned out and you don't go looking for those things again. You replace them with new.... and we replace the old pounds and figure for vitality and good health and longevity.  

Remember Your "whys" 

The "why" behind what you want to accomplish can also be a big source of long term motivation. It is important to mentally remind yourself why you need to read that extra chapter or run that extra mile.  

This boost is particularly powerful when that why involves others who are dear to us or goals that are bigger than just ourselves. 

Maybe you will be the first in your family to ever retire when you are young..... Perhaps your "big why" is to thank your mom for all the tireless sacrifices that she made to support you. If that QI phone call looks especially tough, think for a moment just how proud your mom will be on your recognition day.  

When that drive to keep going wanes, reflect on your "why" and get back on track. 

Little Successes Can Go A Long Way  

When you are pursuing long term goals it is easy to lose sight of the finish line. At times when your long term goals seem far away or lost in a fog of uncertainty, refocus your attention on achieving short term goals.  

Remember to acknowledge and celebrate in some tangible way your achievement of these intermediate goals.  

Bring Your Own Cheerleaders  

Unfortunately, many people in your life will not be supportive of your dreams.  While this lack of support can be a real drain on your energy and motivation, do not let your enthusiasm for your dreams drop.   

Instead, be on the look out for those people who are willing to be your cheerleaders. Get with your up-line and those on your team who understand your achievement and can encourage you. Congratulate proud team members at the centre, recognize peers with similar goals, struggles and triumphs, start acknowledging their support of your goals. Remember as you support and are happy for others they will support your goals in return. 

Even the most determined IBO, or the dogged athlete goes through emotional slumps when they lack their usual zeal. Build up your own inner circle of supporters as no one climbs the mountain of success alone. 

Fall Forward 

A popular quote from motivational speaker Les Brown is, "to fall forward, because if you can see up, you can get up".  

It is normal that your motivation suffers when unplanned personal setbacks or a family crisis occurs.  Take the time that is needed to address the unfortunate situation, with an eye towards returning to your old schedules that supported your goal achievement. Remember that delay is never denial unless you choose to throw in the towel. 

Above all remember that when our personal levels of motivation are the lowest, we can look to any one of these motivation boosters to get us back on track on our personal success journey.  

Take action and achieve. 

The Coach