Motivation in 5 Easy Steps!

Marcia Granger asked:

To put things into context, the easiest would be to answer the question:  what is leadership?  In its most general sense, Leadership is as a process whereby one individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal. To be an effective leader, the individual (manager, professional, entrepreneur)  must influence his associates in a positive way to reach business goals.

The transformational leadership approach can help managers become exceptional leaders when a leader’s engagement with others, stimulates other leaders and workers, to raise one another to higher levels of motivation and morality. The term was used by James V. Downton in 1973 in Rebel Leadership.

There are four factors to transformational leadership, (also known as the “four I’s”), inspirational motivation, idealised influence intellectual stimulation, and individual consideration. Motivating yourself to excel at your job or to be an example to those who work for you, should not be something you do only when the spirit moves you. 

 

It’s an ongoing process that should include every facet of your business life. This means your work-life balance:  mental attitude, physical well-being and appearance, work atmosphere, your interaction with others (clients and employees alike) and your ‘liming’ environment.

 

Motivational experts get paid big bucks to tell professionals, striving for success, that they must constantly examine these factors.  How do you do that?  Follow the 5 tips that follow, and watch the changes.

 

1. Maintain a Positive Attitude – (I know sometimes difficult when the daily headlines scream do the opposite) but let’s realise that life is only 10% of what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. 

 

We’re responsible for our own actions and attitudes, and changing them when appropriate.  We also have to master our own thoughts as emotion always follows thought.  When you’re around people/things that are uplifting and positive, you feel that way.  The opposite, I might add is also true, (as I discovered at Mangoes last week).  Ask yourself which do you prefer?

 

You have more confidence in yourself, and know you can change whatever needs changing. If you can make your workplace such a place you’ll find happier workers and higher production. You might even find your employees look

forward to coming to work!

 

2.Leave Personal Troubles Home -  The work environment is for work.  Everyone has problems.  They don’t belong at work. Turn your attention and energy entirely to your on-the-job tasks.  Changing your focus will actually be good for you because you’ll get a mental break from your troubles.

 

3.Create Positive Affirmations -  Try this simple exercise:  Think very clearly about what you want, defining it in simple terms and write it down on your ‘wish list.  Then ask yourself, What if I had that in my life? Read your list daily out loud before you get to work.  I hear the skepticism now but try it! Let yourself dream about how you would feel if you had it and let the joy of the experience wash over you.  We draw good into our lives by meditating on what makes us happy.

 

What your eyes see and ears hear, your mind will believe.  You’ll be amazed at what happens.  Come up with a set of new ones every month.  Statements such as, “I’m an important and valuable person,” or “I know I’ll make good use of my time today.”  Repeating them out loud everyday at a set time will help reinforce positive actions.

 

4.Take Real Break Times -This is an area where most bosses/entrepreneurs fall down.  You become so embroiled in work and intense about the project or situation you’re working on that you don’t ease up. 

 

Thinking that it’ll be solved in the next few seconds, and then you’ll get a cup of coffee can lead you right up to quitting time.  Regularly adhering to a specified break schedule, even if you’re the boss, releases the tension. 

 

If you work on a computer this is even a greater problem because before you realise it – you’ve been working in that same position for hours.  The best answer to this is to set yourself a reminder on your appointment calendar for every

hour, and let the computer reminder chime send you the alert to move around.

 

5.Exercise, Exercise, Exercise – I know that lately it seems that “exercise” is the cure-all to every physical ailment or your love life, but despite that there is some truth to that ugly word. 

 

By “exercise” I don’t mean that you should go out and join a gym and spend your lunch-time, 3-days-a-week there working out.  What is really beneficial and workable is that at those chiming alerts from your computer, get up and walk around your desk or room.  Maybe go outside, admire the beauty of the Trinbago natural surroundings, get the mail and enjoy the sunlight (if you’re an entrepreneur that has a home office), or just get up and do a few stretches. 

 

Concentrated, tense thinking – typing – plotting plans – or whatever your work, makes all those muscles tighten up and knot up.  Then when we move we “ooh” and “ouch” because we’ve knotted up into a ball of tension.

 

Periodic stretching, even at our desk, or just getting up and walking over to the window and getting a different view can help.  You could even do some deep breathing exercises.

 

One of the greatest disservice modern business décor has done to us, is making our offices pristine, sleek, unencumbered spaces. 

 

There is nothing more relaxing than getting up from your desk and look outside at the hills or the sea and just drink it in, visually. 

 

One of my mantras if ‘surround yourself with natural beauty’. Momentarily transporting your mind out of work and into that place, does wonders.  A few good paintings and less files in offices, would benefit us all.  It only takes a little concentrated effort on our part to keep motivated and productive, which leads to success. 

 

I know you’re going to hate hearing this, but it’s true anyway – and that is, “WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS – MAKE LEMONADE!”

 

Until the next time, keep motivated!

Marcia Granger

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