Your Personal Growth Guide

In life, we all get to the point where we feel we need to do something to spice things up a little, for whatever reason. Perhaps you do not feel as fulfilled in your career as you would like to be, or perhaps there is something about your life that you want to change. If you are feeling like there is something missing in your life, know that you have the most control over those feelings and that you have more power to impact your life than anybody else does.

There are a whole lot of things that you can do to help improve your life; setting goals is one of them and finding people to share your goals and dreams with you is very important. Know what it is that you want out of life and make it clear to yourself and to others, but know that only you and those who are closest to you are going to be able to help you in your self improvement.

Latest Articles
How to Use Failure to Succeed

There are times in everyone’s life where they will fail. Even the most successful people in the world have troubled times. The difference between these people and the rest of the world is that when they failed, they used the experience to better themselves. Anyone can turn a failed situation into a winning one, if they know how. Failure is not the end of the line for anyone. When you don’t get that job promotion you wanted to when your business goes under, there are ways to turn your situation around. While you may want to cry and ponder upon the failure for a while, you should not do it for more than a day. Allow yourself time to grieve a bit. Tell yourself that you are allowed to wallow in your self-pity for the rest of the day. Then tell yourself that in the morning you will push it aside and begin again. Use these three tips to use your failure as a catalyst for success.

Motivation to Do Better

When you really screw something up, you may feel like you have ruined your life. Students often feel this way when they bomb on a big test in college. When these events occur, you should not let them determine your immediate course. There is always room in life for improvement. You should use your failure to help better yourself. When you turn failure into motivation to do better, you will find it can be easy to want to better your situation. If you need to do better in school, make a study schedule to follow. If you need to do better at work, take classes to make you better qualified in your field. No matter what the failed task consisted of, you can use it to motivate yourself to get more done.

Redirection in Life

Sometimes we fail at things because they were not what we were meant to do. If you have planned your whole life to go to medical school, but cannot get in, then you might want to think of it as a sign rather than a failure. There are specific things that each person is meant to do in life. When something does not work out as planned or even when you fail at something, it could be because you need to redirect your life. When you hit a brick wall and fail, try thinking about your life plan. It may seem that a redirection is in order. Use failure as an opportunity to look at your life in an evaluation manner and decide what you need to do to get back on track. The track may be a different one, but it also may be a more successful one.

It Doesn’t Get Worse

When you know you have failed and feel like you have hit rock bottom you can always use the failure as motivation to climb back up. Tell yourself that it does not get much worse than the point of failure and let yourself know that the only way to go is up from there. Use the failure as motivation to climb to the top. When you do this, you will see that instead of running from failure you will look it in the eye and overcome it. Allow yourself to fail without ripping yourself apart. Everyone fails. Just take it as the worst you have to offer and deal with it.

If you have failed at something, it is very easy to ponder up on it for weeks, or even years. When you do this, you will find that the failure can be more destructive than you ever thought possible. When failure does occur, allow it to be destructive to your attitude and your life for only a short period of time. After that period passes, be sure you move past it without letting it swamp your entire life. Your future should not be a product of your failure. The past can be filled with failures as long as your future is dedicated to success. So, use these three tips to help you take failure and turn it into success. Once you learn how to do this, you will never be afraid to fail again!

November 21st, 2007 |  Permalink |  Trackback URL |  Comments(0)
Three Ways to Motivate in the Face of Disaster

There are times in life when you will be staring disaster right in the eye. These are the times to either run away and tuck your head under a rock or use your situation as a motivational tool. When you are working with a group of people, it is even more important for someone to step up when struck with a disaster and motivate the group to go on. This may occur in your workplace or even in your family life. The motivator role is one that can be filled by different people at different times. If you are overdue to take on the role, consider learning these three ways to motivate in the face of disaster, just in case the opportunity presents itself. You will be ready to be the group motivator when you learn what to do beforehand.

Be Confident

The most important thing you can do during a disaster to motivate people is to present yourself in a confident manner. If you are at work and your team is about to lose a major deal for the company, just remain confident that everything will get done in time. With you putting off that confident vibe, your other team members will be able to stress less and get more productive. When they are working without the stress they will be able to accomplish more and you will likely meet that deadline. If you stress out yourself, everyone will waste time worrying and not working.

If you are at home and have a natural weather disaster or a family crisis, you will need to motivate your family just as you motivate your co-workers. Your family will need someone to be confident that no matter what happens, everything will work out. If a fire damages your home, be confident that you will find another place to stay while the home is repaired. If you are faced with a family death, show how confident you are that healing will begin and everyone will be able to deal with the death eventually. When disaster hits at home, it can be difficult to stay confident. Even if you are not confident, just pretend to be so your family will be motivated to move on and heal.

Lead by Example

A great way to show people that motivation can help a situation that could be disastrous is to lead by example. Show co-workers that even if you are having a work disaster that you will continue to do the best job you can. By voicing what needs to be done and by actually doing it yourself, you will be able to motivate them to do the same. When a team is lead by example they are strong and more productive. The same can be done at home. If your spouse has lost their job and you need to cut back on unnecessary spending, show your family you are dedicated to the task by not taking your weekly manicure.

Turn Up the Positive Attitude

It is proven that people can be motivated when influenced by a positive attitude. Ignoring the potential disaster is not a great idea. You can discuss it and be clear about what could happen if necessary. However, after the discussion, you should put it aside and get on with life in a positive way. Talk with positive dialogue and smile a lot. By showing that despite everything you will be positive, you will in turn influence those around you to be positive as well. When you have a positive attitude you will accomplish more than others with a less than positive attitude. Be sure not to overdo the positive attitude to the point where people don’t take you seriously however. Practice adding just enough of a positive outlook to your normal attitude.

Use these three things when you are staring at disaster and want to motivate those around you. You might be surprised to know that while you are trying to motivate those around you, you will be motivated yourself. Concentrate on these three tips and remember to apply them in difficult situations. Remember that there will still be people who need to worry or grieve in order to get through situations. But, there will also be many people who are motivated by your confidence, leadership, and positive attitude.

November 21st, 2007 |  Permalink |  Trackback URL |  Comments(0)
Twenty Ways to Stay Motivated

Staying motivated is not always easy no matter what you are trying to accomplish. For those that are trying to get fit, motivation can even be harder. Whatever it is that you are trying to get motivated to do; there are a few tips that can help. You can stay motivated to accomplish almost any goal.

Visualize and imagine your goals: When you have the ability to see your goals and imagine what the end results will be, you are more likely to stay motivated. You may feel more motivated by a picture of what you are working towards or need a daily visual reminder of that dream vacation you are saving money for. By keeping a visual picture in your mind and imagining yourself at your end result, you can stay motivated to accomplish any goal.

Reward and treat yourself: Staying motivated can be easier if you take the time to reward and treat yourself when you reach small milestones along the way. If you are trying a new fitness plan, try to reward yourself with a new pair of gym shoes or maybe new workout equipment. Knowing that there is something good along the way to your goal will help keep you excited about achieving your goals and you will stay motivated.

Watch a movie or listen to motivating music: You can get excited and motivated to reach your goals by watching a motivating movie or listening to music that will get you pumped about your goals. Look for movies that will help you see others work hard to reach their own goals. You will come out of the movie feeling ready to get busy and accomplish your goals. Music can also help you stay motivated. If you want to walk more, invest in a good portable music system and listen to upbeat music to keep you moving.

Set small goals and take a break: Whether you are working towards saving money for a new house or trying to eat healthy to lose a few pounds, set small goals for yourself and take a break every once in awhile. By setting small goals, you will not feel too overwhelmed at one time. You can work on each step that will equal to big results in the end. Also, if you do get overwhelmed, take a break. Achieving your goals will not happen overnight. If you feel frustrated, take a day off and rethink your plans.

Find a partner and do it for yourself: You can accomplish anything if you do it because you believe in yourself. If you work on a goal because you believe you can do it, it will be easy for you to stay motivated. While working on your goals, if you do need an extra push, find a partner who can keep you on track. You may have a friend who wants to lose weight or get in shape, too. Work with that person to motivate each other when your own motivation starts to sag.

Prove them wrong and impress others: Everyone is motivated for different reasons, but one way to stay motivated is to remember all the times someone told you that you couldn’t do it. Prove the negative people around you wrong and accomplish your goals to show them you can. While you should never try to live your life for the approval of others, you motivation may improve when you try to impress others. Feel good about what you can do, and others will notice the hard work.

Do it because it is fun and you want to do it: You may want to achieve a goal that you find very difficult. It may help to stay motivated by finding something fun about what you are doing. Achieve your goals because you want to do it and not because others want you to. When you find intrinsic motivation, it will be easier to focus on your goals.

Take advice and help others: Talk to others who have worked hard to accomplish the goals you are working towards. Listen to what they have to say and take their advice. For people who have already been there, they can offer valuable advice and this should help you stay motivated. Also, help others while you are accomplishing your goals. If you know someone else is depending on you, it will be easier for you to stay on track.

Change your routine and do it for your health: This can apply for those who are trying a new fitness routine. Schedule time for workouts and start cooking healthier meals at home. Achieve your goals because it will make you healthier. Anything you can do to make your goals easier to accomplish will help you stay motivated.

Compare and critique: When you compare your goals to others and find what worked or did not work for them, you can stay motivated because you will find what will help you. Look at others around you and see the mistakes they may have made and try to keep yourself in line by not making the same mistakes.

November 21st, 2007 |  Permalink |  Trackback URL |  Comments(0)
Motivation Tips for Work at Home Moms

If you are a mom and you work at home, you might find it near impossible to concentrate on your work when you have a sink full of dirty dishes or your phone keeps ringing. The most important part of working at home is finding motivation everyday to get the work done. You must decide on your priorities and concentrate on what is most important first. There are several tips you can use when you work at home. When you follow these important tips, you will find it easier to get your work done.

Organization: Staying organized is the number one way to keep yourself motivated when you work at home. Have a place where you work and leave “home” stuff behind. Keep your desk clear of distractions, such as the thank you notes that need to be done from your son’s birthday party. Your desk should have only what you need for work and nothing else. If you have a cluttered work area, you will feel that your job is difficult and never ending. Take a few minutes before you work to clear the area and concentrate on what needs to be done.

Stay on track: This goes along with staying organized. When you work at home, it is very easy to be distracted by the going-ons of your household. You can be working along when you suddenly remember a phone bill you forgot to pay. This is the time to leave at home behind and concentrate on work. One way to do this is to set up a work schedule and be committed to stick to it. Tell yourself that you will work three hours and then take a break. Working at home should be like working in an office. Take breaks and remember you are there to work.

Set goals for your work: When you work from home, you should have a schedule and goals in mind. When you stay on schedule and accomplish one goal, it is time to move on. Try to make lists of the things you need to accomplish before the day is out and work your hardest to stick to it.

Leave work behind: While it is easy to become distracted by what is going on in your house when you should be working, the opposite can also be true. You can just as easily become distracted by work when you should be spending time with the kids. When your workday is over, try not to pick it back up. Make time to have a set work schedule and try to stick to that workday. This can be beneficial, too. If you are working hard and come to a point where you feel frustrated, leaving your work behind can give you a fresh perspective when you take some time out.

Make time for yourself: When you are working hard at home, you may need to set aside some time just for you. It is easy to become wrapped up in your work and neglect the things you need to do for yourself. When you overwork yourself, you will come to resent work and will not be motivated to continue.

Take breaks: Taking frequent breaks during your workday can help you stay motivated and on task. Instead of sitting at the computer and eating your lunch, take time out to walk away from your work and eat lunch at the table. Take an hour break and relax or read a book. Take ten minutes out of your work schedule and stretch. When you take breaks during the workday, you will feel ready to begin your work again.

Exercise and eat right: If you exercise frequently, even if it is a quick walk around the neighborhood you will feel better and want to work. The same is true for eating right. Take the time to exercise and eat healthy foods. You will feel refreshed and ready to work when you feel good about yourself.

Staying motivated to work when you work from home is not always an easy task. There are distractions from home and you can feel overworked if you do not take care of yourself. When you work from home, take the time to follow these tips and you will stay motivated to get your job done.

November 21st, 2007 |  Permalink |  Trackback URL |  Comments(0)
Positive Attitude Can Instill Increased Motivation

Have you ever heard the saying that attitude is everything? If you have, then you may know it to be true. While it can be difficult to be positive all the time, being an optimist has been linked to many things, including better health. Doctors will tell you that patients who are optimistic about treatment are those that always recover faster than those who are pessimistic. When you are positive, you can accomplish things that some may have thought were unrealistic. A positive attitude can help you build strong relationships as well as create increased motivation. If you have a goal in mind that you are having a hard time finding motivation to meet, try having a positive attitude. Although it may seem challenging at times, try these easy tips in order to be more positive each day.

Wake Up Nicer

Your whole day really starts with waking up. If you want to have a more positive attitude, make sure you can wake up in a calm environment. Those with children know too well that this can be difficult. However, you can practice doing things in advance to prepare for the morning so everything will flow smoothly. For instance, try laying out everyone’s clothing the night before. Pack lunches and stick them in the fridge as well. Do anything you can to make your morning a little easier. You will find that with the ease, you will be more apt to have a positive start to the day.

Wave at Your Neighbors

Although this seems a little old fashioned to some people, when you are leaving home, try to wave at your neighbors. Offering a little smile and a quick wave is a great way to spread your positive attitude to everyone around you.

Take Your Time

Be sure that you leave for work or school each morning in plenty of time to get to your destination. When people have to rush, they tend to become flustered. You will be more motivated in general if you give yourself enough time to accomplish tasks.

Eat Lunch

People who claim they are unmotivated are often those that eat poorly, never exercise, and work over 40 hours a week. When you are not taking care of yourself, it is difficult to stay positive and be motivated to do anything at all. Even the simplest tasks like laundry on the weekend can seem overwhelming. Be sure to eat healthy meals throughout the day and never skip lunch!

Socialize With Friends

Part of staying positive has to do with your personal relationships. If you are trying so hard to do as much as possible, then you probably have little time to socialize. Take the time to socialize with friends as much as you can. This will help you stay positive and help your motivation continue.

Limit Media Influence

As informative as it can be, watching or reading too much media news coverage can be harmful to a positive person. The tragedy of it all is that the news is typically filled with depressing and over-dramatized events. The news crews choose the most dramatic things to put on the air or in print. Therefore, you are only seeing the worst of the worst. Try limiting yourself to this type of influence and you will be more positive altogether.

Pretend To Be Happy

One key trick to staying positive is to act positive even when you are feeling down. By acting like you are positive, you will find that you can lift your own spirits faster than anything else. Although it may seem like you are faking it, chances are no one will even know. The next time you are feeling down and not motivated, take on a positive attitude role and your motivation will come naturally with your character.

As you can see, there are many things you can do in order to keep a positive attitude throughout your days. These are minor changes in your day and in your attitude that can be done daily in order to train yourself to be a more positive person. When you are a more positive person you will be a more motivated person. This will all lead to a more successful life.

November 21st, 2007 |  Permalink |  Trackback URL |  Comments(0)
Why Making Changes Can Get You Motivated

People tend to be creatures of habit. We do not look forward to changes and usually changes in our lives or daily routines can upset our balance. Children are especially upset with changes in daily routine. Ever seen a two year old without an afternoon nap? Adults are no different. Changes are however, a part of life. Changes can be good, though. Changes are often the reason why many people are motivated.

Many people are motivated by changes in their lives. The changes they experience might be small, such as adding a new pet to the family or getting a new hair cut or style. Or, there could be more life-changing experiences such as moving, getting married or having a baby. Some changes can cause serious stress in emotions and people can become resistance to change. There are ways to channel the emotions surrounding a change and become more motivated.

Change can get you motivated to something or change something in your life. By definition, motivation means the mental force that causes change or the reason why a person works towards a goal or accomplishment. It is usually agreed that unsatisfied needs or situations causes people to become motivated. A change that can cause a person to become more motivated to do something that is beneficial is desirable. For example, if you just had your first baby, you may find that this life-changing event is the perfect time to motivate yourself to change careers or to save money so that you can stay at home. Maybe you get laid off from your job and suddenly find yourself unemployed. This change in your life, while it can be quite stressful and upsetting, can motivate you to change careers or go back to school to further your education. Many people will tell you that they are motivated to do something because there has been some kind of change in their life.

After you have realized that you have the perfect opportunity to change or to get yourself motivated to change, you have seized the moment. If you do not take the time and motivate yourself right away, you might find that your motivation will slip away. It is very important use the opportunity from this change in your life and makes a difference in your life and those around you. Even if you are dealing with small changes in your life, these can still be used to motivate you to make even more changes that will benefit.

Another reason why change can motivate people is because change often causes stress. Stress is very real and some people have a difficult time dealing with the stress. When a person experiences a change in their life, they can be very resistant. Usually, change is coupled with a fear of the unknown or the unexpected. Every person is different when they deal with change. Those who are easily motivated by change are able to perceive change and channel that energy in a positive way. Those who have difficulty with change are usually not well equipped to deal well with that change in their lives. As a result they may not be motivated at all.

Some people are better equipped to deal with change when they know what to expect out of a situation. For these people, their motivation may come out of learning what changes they will face. One example might be moving. If a person lives in one city all of their life, they may not want to move and resist moving to another area. They might be motivated to research the area where they are moving to so that they can deal better with the change of a new place or city. Because motivation comes in many different forms, change is one way many people will be motivated.

Another type of change that can cause a person to be motivated is when someone is asked to change his or her opinion or point of view about a certain subject. Most people are extremely resistant to changing their thought patterns and onions. When they are asked to do so, some people may immediately shut down. Others that are better equipped to deal with changes may be motivated to look at another point of view more objectively.

November 21st, 2007 |  Permalink |  Trackback URL |  Comments(0)
Stay Motivated in a Fitness Plan

Many of us make promises to work out more, to eat healthier and lose weight. It is easy to get motivated to get started, but as the days go on, many of us find our motivation lacking. Those who succeed in fitness plans, whether it is losing weight or living a healthier lifestyle, do so because they have the drive and determination to stay motivated. If you find that your motivation is sagging during your new fitness plan, think about the following tips to stay motivated.

One important tip in staying motivated when trying a new fitness plan is to plan for overall health and fitness. It is easy to say you are going to lose twenty pounds, but really what you want to do is to promote a healthier way of living. When you look at the overall picture of a new fitness plan, you will exercise more and eat better. Losing weight is a fringe benefit of finding overall health.

You will also stay motivated during your new fitness plan when you can find a workout partner. Try to find a friend, a neighbor or maybe your spouse that has the same goals as you. Decide when you will work out and rely on each other to get the workout completed. When you know that someone is depending on you, it is easier to get to the gym and stay motivated. In addition, when you have a partner, you know you can talk to that person in your weakest moments. That person can help get you through the tough times of dieting and exercise when they also have a common goal.

Another important aspect of staying motivated in a fitness plan is setting goals. You may know you want to lose weight, but you should also know how to get to that point. Write down each step to reach the end result and it will help you stay on track during your fitness plan. Another good idea when you set goals is to mark each step off of your list after you have completed them. It will help you stay motivated because you will have a visual reminder of everything you have accomplished so far.

You will want to stay motivated with your new fitness plan by setting time aside for your workouts and make a commitment to stick to it. A lot of people join gyms right after the New Year in hopes of getting in shape. Most of the time, the gyms are packed in January, but as time goes on, participation drops because people lack the motivation and do not stick to their commitment of getting in shape. Set time aside in your busy schedule and write it down on your calendar. Also, make time to prepare healthy meals so you are not so tempted to run through a fast food restaurant at the end of a busy day. Make time for yourself and you will soon see the benefits.

It will be easy for you to stay on track with your new fitness routine if you keep your things organized and create a good environment for your workouts. If you have equipment at home, keep everything clean and in good working order. When you work out at the gym, lay out your clothes and shoes the night before. If you always know where to find the things you need for your workouts, you will find that you will have more motivation to get to the gym.

Use a visual aid to keep your self motivated to stick to your new fitness plan. Find a picture of yourself that you do not like and hang it where you see it every day. Find another picture of what you want to look like and keep that nearby, too. As you continue with your fitness plan, refer back to those photos to remind yourself of where you have been and where you are going. You can even help keep yourself motivated by taking measurements of your body and writing them down. As you work out and begin to lose weight, retake your measurements so that you feel encouraged to continue.

When you start a new fitness plan, you might need a little help to stay motivated. When you succeed at motivating yourself, you will find that you will go a long way in accomplishing your new fitness goals.

November 21st, 2007 |  Permalink |  Trackback URL |  Comments(0)
Motivation at Work

Those who are successful in the workplace are usually those with a lot of drive and determination. These are the people who are motivated to work. Every person who works has a different reason for working. While most people do work for money, many others work because they love their jobs and because they want a sense of fulfillment. Others work because they want to help others or to feel accomplished in a certain field. There are lots of reasons why people are motivated to work. People work because they are motivated by certain reasons.

One reason why people are motivated to work is because of the money. This is the main reason why people work. Money is a major factor in working. Money is also the reason why most people are motivated to get degrees or higher training for their jobs. They want to better themselves in their workplace to make a higher salary. Compensation for work helps pay the bills, puts food on the table, buys clothing for the kids and allows for people to enjoy leisure activities such as vacations. When people receive good pay for the work they do, they are more motivated to work harder and do better at their job. An employer who underestimates the power of money is making a mistake. Not fairly compensating an employee can mean losing that person to a high paying job. Money can motivated almost any employee to work harder.

After money, another reason why people spend eight hours or more a day at work is because they want recognition for their performance. Without proper recognition, employees will not be as motivated as they are when they are properly praised. Recognition can come in many forms though. Employees want raises, promotions and recognition among fellow employees. In fact, after money, recognition is one of the main reasons why people search for better jobs. They want to work for a company where they feel secure with their future and know that they have a chance for promotion. In addition, employees want others that work with them to feel equally responsible and work just as hard. Most employees feel that fellow workers should be fired or suffer demotions if they do not work as hard as they do. The failure to discipline non-working employees can result in a lack of motivation.

Another reason why people feel motivated to work is because they want their employer to recognize what is important to them. Those who work want flexibility in their schedules and feel that if their employer cannot offer this, then they will look for another job. They feel more motivated to do a better job when the employer can offer good communications. Workers want their supervisors to know that they have good ideas too and they do not want to feel bad about expressing their ideas. Employees also will feel more motivated when they feel comfortable about talking to their supervisors even if it is a complaint. They will take comfort in knowing that they have sympathetic supervisors and can go to them when they need to express problems or concerns in the workplace.

Employers can also boost morale and motivation among employees by understand what each employee needs. Some may feel that they want to be in control of their work environment. They will not feel motivated if they constantly have a supervisor looking over their shoulder and critiquing their work. On the other hand, if they understand and know what to expect, they can give you better work, too. Workers will feel more motivated if they can start their work and know that their supervisors trust them and what they do each day. They want to know when they make mistakes so they do not make the same mistake again. This helps them have the self-confidence at work.

The best way to promote motivation throughout the workplace is to provide an environment where all employees feel valued and important. It is necessary for supervisors to understand that each individual is different and is motivated for different reasons. They need to understand what each employee wants and their reason for working. There are many opportunities to motivate employees and they will respond to this by giving their best work they possibly can.

November 21st, 2007 |  Permalink |  Trackback URL |  Comments(0)
Finding the Motivation You Need to Stick With It: Exercise

Exercise is hard enough without all the temptations of life. Sticking to an exercise program requires motivation and persistence. Often times we find excuses to not work out or eat right. A busy schedule, illness, work, tiredness and lack of equipment are just a few of the most commonly thought of excuses. But what is the answer to staying motivated to reach goals? Some swear by the S.M.A.R.T. system. The S.M.A.R.T system works because it is simple and gives you some structure with your plan. It is effective for both short and long term goals and works with any diet and exercise program.

What does the S.M.A.R.T system consist of? This is an overview of the system and how it can work to motivate you to stick with the goals that you have set for yourself. Remember that goal setting and the S.M.A.R.T. system are only as strong and useful as the person doing it. You must have the “want-to” to achieve any goal. The S.M.A.R.T system only works when you work it! Use the system to motivate you to stick with your goals and you will find yourself with more confidence and a better body!

“Gimme an S”

1. Specific Goals. Goals are an excellent way to stay motivated. Research has shown that setting both short and long term goals is the most motivating thing that you can do for yourself. An example of a good goal is to run one mile without stopping. An example of a less effective goal is simply “to run more.”

“Gimme an M”

2. Measurable Goals.

It is easy to say that you want to run more. It is imperative that you are able to measure the amount of progress that you are making. You should be able to chart the amount of time that you spend working towards your goal and also to be able to see the improvement.

“Gimme an A”

3. Adjust. You need to make goals that are attainable. There will be times when you will not be able to meet these goals and you should be able to be flexible with your goals. This will give you the feeling of accomplishment and motivate you to keep trying. You should be able to change your goal so that it is still a challenge, but one that you can physically do. For example, if your goal is to compete in a triathlon in October and you break your ankle, you may not be able to reach this goal. However, if your goals are flexible, you will be able to change it to a different time in which you are able to achieve the goal.

“Gimme an R”

4. Realistic Goals. It is important to be realistic in your goal setting. You shouldn’t set a goal of running five miles in the first month if you have not been exercising in the past. Start small. Obtaining smaller goals will help to build confidence and morale in order to meet more challenging goals. You can always add more goals as you reach those that are already set. You should be careful though not to set goals which will not give you satisfaction. If your goal is to lose one pound a month, then you might not have to work as hard and thus might not get as great of a pleasure from achieving that goal.

“Gimme a T”

5. Time Based Goals.

If your goals are not time based, then there is a chance that you may become bored with the goal. It is important to set a goal that you can measure not only in speed or distance but in time. For example, it is a good idea to set a weekly goal to run one mile in 45 minutes. For the next week it might be 30 minutes. Be sure to push yourself each week to meet these goals.

Setting goals is one of the best ways possible to stay motivated throughout any kind of weight loss or training plan. Using the S.M.A.R.T system you can achieve your goals of fitness and become the person that you want to be!

November 21st, 2007 |  Permalink |  Trackback URL |  Comments(0)
FAQ’s About Employee Motivation

The success of your business depends on the people who work for you. By working hard and exhibiting all their talents, your employees play a critical part in keeping your customers satisfied. This is where employee motivation is critical. It is the “bosses” responsibility to motivate employees which in turn will give them an overall better outlook on their job and will help them to strive to do their jobs to the best of their ability. One of the hardest and most important things that a boss can do is to keep good employees, not just manage them. Motivation is a key aspect in keeping employees happy and to creating a positive work environment.

The ways to motivate your employees will differ depending on who you ask, since there are so many viewpoints that are all different and the majority of the answers are right ones. A manager should realize that there are many ways that one can be motivated and be open to suggestions about how to do this. Since each person is different, then it makes sense that the ways in which each person is motivated will also differ. One mistake that is commonly made when trying to increase employee motivation is to “over-do” it. Do you give unearned praise to employees since this can lead to other employees feeling badly about their performance?

What does “Motivation” actually mean?

Some may think that motivation is a matter of giving gifts or verbal praise. Some may even think that a raise is a way of motivating employees. While these things are important, there is much more to motivation. There are several ways to motivate an employee that is genuine and deserved. Giving an employee a pack on the back, or mentioning their achievements in a memo or letter are good ways to motivate. The key is to know your employees well enough to give them what they really want. It could be time off, a vacation, a raise or even just some praise.

Ultimately, these kinds of things will result in a better quality of work from your employees as well as a better relationship between you and the employee. Not to mention a better outlook on the job through the eyes of the employee himself. All of these things will also lead to better customer relationships, since a happy employee tends to make a customer feel more welcome and appreciated. This will lead to higher sales, which is the ultimate goal in any business

How does motivation help people?

A person can benefit from motivation in so many ways. Motivation will help to achieve personal goals or perhaps even goal sets by you the manager. There are times when goals can seem unattainable. This is when the right employee motivation can make all the difference since it is likely to give the employee that extra boost of confidence. This will also help them to push through a tough time and continue to work hard to attain their goals.

Gaining a more positive outlook on the task or job is a direct outcome of the right employee motivation. This will be a critical step in your business since it will make your customers happy as well. This sounds like an easy thing to do, however when your employees are not happy, it shows. Motivating employees to see the good in the work that they do everyday and to see how they are helping someone is a great way to make your employees and your customers gain a positive perspective of your business. If your company is stuck in a “rut” it may be time for a change. Perhaps a change in the scenery or a change in the way the entire business is run. Who will have better ideas on how to achieve this than the people who work there everyday? Asking employees for their input is another way to motivate employees. The power to change is a hard thing to grasp, however with the right motivation, your employees will likely become an active part in the process.

If your company is stuck in a “rut” it may be time for a change. Perhaps a change in the scenery or a change in the way the entire business is run. Who will have better ideas on how to achieve this than the people who work there everyday? Asking employees for their input is another way to motivate employees. The power to change is a hard thing to grasp, however with the right motivation, your employees will likely become an active part in the process.

Motivating employees builds self esteem. Self esteem is crucial to the productivity of your employees. You want employees who believe in themselves and the power to do great things for your company. By handing down some well deserved motivation, you will increase self esteem in your employees and at the same time be making an important step for the betterment of your company.

With the right motivation employees will become more likely to motivate and help others. They will learn to manage their own development within the company. This will result in less work for you and better productivity from the employee.

What are some common reasons why we fail to motivate our employees?

There are times when motivation is needed but simply isn’t given. This can be the result of management whom is not aware of the power of motivation, or even due to mangers who simply are absent from the workplace where the employees reside.

Often times we can not control the area in which we work, however inadequate equipment to complete a job creates a serious lack of motivation by employees. Just like you enjoy coming home to an inviting, clean, warm home, your employees want to come to a clean, inviting office. Updating equipment and creating an atmosphere in which your employees can thrive is an excellent way to motivate them, however it is one of the most commonly over looked ways to motivate. This is partially because it is difficult to do.

Try to motivate your employees for only a short period. I am sure that you will see results that you have only dreamed of.

November 21st, 2007 |  Permalink |  Trackback URL |  Comments(0)