One of the greatest challenges in life that I constantly find myself facing is maintaining the motivation to stay focused – while also staying focused enough to remain motivated. I’ve stated this many times in my speaking engagements and I get many “head likes” and head nods because it resonates with many of us. Whether it’s managing our business, advancing our career, nurturing our family life, or tending to our children, there’s always an adult responsibility demanding our attention, which can tug at both our focus and motivation. Once again, I’m here to echo my Dad’s timeless advice: “Never Give Up…Just Keep Going!”
So, if you’re anything like me and sometimes need a gentle nudge to keep your go-getter spirit alive, especially when faced with tough times, here are some steps to follow:
STEP #1: Realize That YOU Are in Control
Your attitude isn’t controlled by the outside world. That’s an illusion, a fantasy that, if you believe it, you’re simply using to escape responsibility for managing this all-important part of your career.
For example, if you run into a snowstorm that’s making you late to a customer meeting, you can get frustrated and start cursing…, or you can look forward to the appreciation that the customer might feel because you were committed enough to fight the weather to make the meeting.
Similarly, when the economy goes south, you can start obsessing about how it’s going to affect your job, or you can be one of those individuals who use tighter budgets as a way to streamline operations, develop new markets, and create innovations.
It’s all in how you see it!
STEP #2: Neutralize Your Negative Triggers
Stop allowing external events to provoke negative thoughts.
For instance, imagine you’re en route to a customer meeting but encounter red lights and traffic delays. Yes, it’s an issue, but if you become flustered, you’ve now compounded the situation: you’re not just late, but you’re also flustered.
Entering the meeting in a flustered state might lead the customer to question your moodiness and reliability, adding yet another layer of complication.
To achieve a more favorable outcome (and maintain a positive attitude), reassess how you interpret external events that typically trigger pessimism. By assigning a different, more constructive meaning to these events, you can prevent them from souring your mood.
For instance, while delays may be causing lateness, utilize the extra time to gather your thoughts, evaluate your choices, and devise a plan to mitigate any potential damage. Alternatively, use the time to refine your schedule so that you always allow ample buffer time for traffic.
As a mentor once told me: “Life is akin to those signs that read ‘You Are Here.’ What you make of your current situation is entirely within your control.”
STEP #3: Detoxify Your Media Consumption
“If it bleeds it leads” stories dominate most news programs these days, with advertising following to provide some sort of consolation or security that is frequently addicting. A persistent stream of pessimistic images naturally fosters a pessimistic outlook on life, the universe, and everything in it.
You NEED to limit, if not completely cut out, your exposure to broadcast news programs if you want to keep your spirits up. Add information and substance to your life that will make you more successful (like this column!) instead of wasting time on such junk.
Every day, read something uplifting to begin and end! When you’re driving, listen to inspirational cassettes, upbeat music, or even excellent literature instead of depressing, emotionally charged talk radio.
STEP #4: Avoid Negative People
It’s likely that you have one or more weary and exhausted friends, family members, or acquaintances. It seems like they are constantly full of negative things to say; they tend to voice complaints far more frequently than praises.
These people poison your mood and, consequently, your success because, when they’re not outright suppressing your excitement, they’re attempting to mold you into their own image of the world. What a waste! in the true sense.
Consider severely reducing the amount of time you spend with these individuals each day if you want to keep your attitude upbeat. Avoid participating in the everyday “water cooler complain-fest.” Avoid dining with those who “grouse and grumble.” If you have relatives that are always complaining, ignore them.
STEP #5: Adopt a Positive Vocabulary
Your internal conversation and the words you use out loud both have a significant impact on how you interpret events in the outside world. Every word has some emotional connotations that stem from both its precise definition and their historical usage.
For example, the terms “dislike,” “hate,” and “despise” all mean basically the same thing, yet they have rather distinct emotional connotations. If you repeatedly tell yourself that you “hate it” even while you “dislike” something, it will just make the initial feeling stronger.
Use weak words to express negative emotions and powerful phrases to express good ones in order to maintain an optimistic outlook. This quickens the upward spiral of good sentiments and halts the downward spiral of negative words and thoughts.
ALL THE BEST,
info@tarynsbusinesshub.com
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