Key Tips For Self Motivation

It's easy to stay motivated when we're on a roll, achieving one goal after another. At those times, we may even find it difficult to understand how others can be complaining or unhappy, when life is so good for us. But then problems and obstacles crop up and we find ourselves in danger of losing our motivation.

Even the most inspirational leaders and speakers have difficulties in their lives. Illnesses, accidents, the personal crises of family members – everyone encounters these from time to time. But the real winners in life find a way to overcome their burdens and move forward. They know they simply can't give in, if they're to maintain success in both their professional and personal life.

There isn't a single way to overcome obstacles and remain motivated. Perhaps there are as many ways as there are different personality types. But all share the important characteristic of looking within and making a decision to keep going.

Taking time to understand what's causing the lack of success, the fear, or whatever the obstacle is, is essential. The reasons could be tangible or possibly emotional, perhaps even imaginary. Once you've determined why you aren't taking the action you know you should, you can analyze your behavior.

1. Are you afraid of something happening if you work to complete a particular goal? If so, ask yourself what is the worst case scenario - the worst thing that could happen if all that you fear become a reality? Next, take time to think about what is the best possible outcome – what could happen if everything went perfectly? Then finally, think about what's the most likely thing to result from your action, knowing the way it is likely to impact on other people and how they might respond. All of this little exercise is an attempt to put some perspective into your situation.

2. Perhaps you aren't working towards a particular goal because you're just plain lazy? Using the excuse of feeling a bit under the weather, or "too busy"? Well, take time to think about the consequences of this behavior, if it continues. Is it something that another person will take responsibility for and complete the task on your behalf? And if so, how will you feel, knowing you failed to fulfill a job that had been assigned to you? Didn't you really want to use it as an opportunity to show that you could do that job better than it had ever been done before? To show everyone just how well it could be done? Not taking that path means you've missed that opportunity. How will you look back on that in time to come?

3. Perhaps you're not getting on with the task because you just don't think it's right, for some reason. If you really do not believe in what you're doing, then you need to consider things very carefully. If it's a task set by someone else (possibly in good faith), but you've found it's not exactly legal, or it doesn’t sit well with you ethically, well, you simply have to tell them if you've decided not to get the job done. Your next task is just to work out how best to do that.

Once you've taken a little time to look at why you haven't yet just got on with what you know you really ought to be doing, you now need to think about what you're striving for and what you and your family will gain by achieving these goals. Put the image of the benefits your actions will produce right in front of you. See the picture in vivid color, in as much detail as possible. Now just remind yourself “if is to be, it's up to me”.

Then do something to start the process that will bring your imagined picture into reality. Take even just a very small action towards the goal – but do it quickly. Visualize yourself facing up to your obstacles and triumphing over them. Don't delay at this stage – get on with some positive action. Any action, as long as it will move you towards your goal, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.

The smallest success that this action creates will remind you that you are a winner. A doer. It will re-instill your belief in your ability to succeed. You will then find it easier to complete the next task, following the “next logical step” approach. You'll also find it's easier to remain cheerful and positive – and to smile - as you watch the size of the problem diminish.

Read inspirational books, or watch motivational movies. Remind yourself that obstacles might be inevitable, but how we deal with them is our choice. We can choose to tackle the problem, get on with things and be happy - or we can choose give up and be miserable.

But rest assured that if you do not give up – you will achieve your aim, however fanciful it seems at the outset. As Orison Swett Marden said "You cannot keep any one from succeeding who has an unshakable faith in his mission. You cannot crush the faith that wrestles with difficulties, that never weakens under trials or afflictions, that pushes on when everybody else turns back, that gets up with greater determination every time it is knocked down."

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If you want to know more about Orison Swett Marden and how his works inspired Napoleon Hill, W. Clement Stone, Norman Vincent Peale, Anthony Robbins, and many others then visit http://www.MardensKeysToSuccess.com where you can also gain FREE access to Brendan McKeogh's mini-course on Marden plus a FREE copy of the first chapter of "Marden's Keys To Success."
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