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Articles
Moving Toward Motivation
Feb 11, 2010
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By: Alison Sfreddo
As we enter the New Year, many of us find ourselves outlining new goals and objectives to achieve in the coming weeks and months. For some it may be a promotion and pay raise and for others it could be a more active lifestyle. But whatever your personal or professional goal is, the one thing that will determine success – and the amount of time and ease it will take to achieve that goal – is motivation. Motivation is that special drive we each have in us whether it is intrinsic (inside) or extrinsic (outside) that propels us to conquer those mountains and overcome challenges.
Motivation is uniquely individual. What inspires one person may not move the next. It is however, the driving force toward personal change and growth. The fastest way to conquer your aspirations is to first acknowledge what truly makes one happy and gives both personal satisfaction and inner peace. When these are considered, motivation becomes effortless. There is a wide spectrum as to what will motivate different people. The following is a preliminary assessment that will serve to better align your goals with your bliss.
Happiness should be considered a priority. Before outlining new goals and aspirations for the coming months, it is important to first list what it is that brings you the most joy in and out of the workplace. Is it time devoted to family and friends or is it time spent engaged in a special hobby or activity? Will your goal initially or eventually conflict with what gives you peace and pleasure now? What sacrifices will you be making to achieve that new goal?
It is and isn’t about the money. There have been a number of articles written on workplace motivation and interestingly enough, monetary reward is not the biggest motivator of workplace employees. As a matter of fact, it usually falls toward the end of many lists. Without a doubt, monetary compensation has tremendous importance as it is what supports our life and lifestyles but will an increase in salary and the new position that comes with it decrease personal time or increase stress levels?
Sharpen those envisioning skills. Think about those new and improved skills and objectives and the effect that they will have on the new and improved you. Can you clearly see yourself walking into your new office or running that 5K? To truly embrace those new plans, you must also clearly envision yourself reaching and living those achievements.
Preparedness meets opportunity. Ask yourself what you would like to do if you were given the opportunity. Then make a systematic list of those steps that it would take for you to realize that opportunity. You would be amazed at how quickly and effortlessly your new goal can be achieved when you have a plan. Sometimes just breaking it down into manageable pieces can eliminate many motivation barriers.
Motivation not only brings results, but when it is aligned with individual preferences and personalities, it becomes an effortless tool to help reach and maintain goals and realize personal dreams. The following are additional questions to help ground and inspire you to the next level of your personal and professional development:
o Am I satisfied with what I am doing now personally and professionally?
o What would I change about my personal or professional life if given the opportunity?
o What hobbies and activities give me the most enjoyment?
o What challenges invigorate me?
o How much time am I really spending at work everyday? Do I feel as though I make a difference?
o Could I be doing other things during the course of the week that would make me happier?
o Have I actually made any specific goals for the New Year? Have I designed a plan?
This article was published in The Training Connection, Inc.'s January 2010 Newsletter.
© 2010, The Training Connection, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
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