The Magic of Motivation

• Set reasonable, not rigid goals. Success breeds success: If you set goals that are challenging, but also realistic, then you can taste the joys of regular accomplishments on a regular basis.
• Don't confuse short- and long-term goals. Your objective may be a seat in Parliament, but unless you get involved in the tasks of a council man, your motivation will die. Get involved in the daily, weekly and monthly achievements of your present job, and your dreams of a better future will have a better chance.
• Leap first, let motivation follow. Many people make the mistake of waiting to feel motivated, instead you should ask yourself "If I did feel motivated now, what would I be doing?" and then do it. Sometimes lack of motivation is the way our minds mask anxiety about getting started.
• Assert yourself. You may think that you've lost your motivation or your interest in your job when the real problem is that your needs are not being met and you're not doing anything about it. Being assertive with your superiors about your needs can lift your spirit immediately.
• Don't push yourself too hard. Don't be a workaholic, psychologists worn that it could lead to burnout. To stay motivated you need to live a balanced life: Pursue outside interests, get physical exercise, maintain and nurture close personal relationships.
• Reward yourself. Pause to savour your accomplishments and give yourself a treat every once in a while. People are motivated by incentives.
• Raise your sights. Consider starting a business you've always dreamed about or working yourself up to a managerial position. If you don't, a constricted sense of who you are and what you can do will sap your drive.
• Be objective about failure. Make sure that you look at each situation objectively, and remember that setbacks are temporary, especially if you don't allow them to throw you off balance.
• Face your fears. Fear of failure causes people to seek out easy jobs that offer few rewards. Or impossible jobs in which they can't be blamed for failing. You must learn to compartmentalise and to recognise that you can be highly competitive in one moment and traditionally unmotivated the next. Take it as it comes.
• Listen to your inner voice. It's important to take stock of our feelings, not just once but throughout our lives. Just find time to be on your own quietly thinking, meditating or praying and listen carefully to that inner voice and discover what and where your true wants and motivations lie.