How to Motivate Yourself and Stay Motivated

Publishing Guidelines: We hope that the following article, annextract from Craig's first published book HANDBOOK TO SURVIVEnmay be informative and helpful to your e-zine readers, or onnyour web site. This article may be freely reproducednelectronically or in print. If it helps others "out there", nthen we're very happy. n
"We share what we know, so that others may grow."n n *
How to Motivate Yourself and Stay Motivated (Up-dated)

Another Monday morning... oh, no!

What motivates us to do the things that we do? Why do we thinknand behave as we do? What influences people to do what they do?

Is it all because of that one word MONEY, which drives us to do what we do? I think not. n
The word "motivation" means different things to different npeople. One thing for sure is that you can't buy a jar of it: itnhas to come from within yourself. A person's brain needsnconstant motivational input just as muscles need exercise,nengines need petrol and plants need water.

I used to think that motivation was a slick American fad and nthat it wasn't for me. After all, I was very motivated already!

People are the product of their thoughts and the aim of nmotivational material is to improve the quality of your nthoughts. Motivation is nothing more than encouragement and wenall perform better for it. Friends of mine say that I am angood motivator, because I simply encourage others.n n "We become what we think about all day long." n- Emersonn n "Most people think only what everybody else is doing." n- Earl Nightingalen
The road to achievement starts with a goal. Implant that goalnin your mind and think about it all day long. I am doing thatnwith this manuscript and my goal is to have it published and be an author.
I think I have taken the right action steps so far,nso that I eventually reach my target. Pay the price by makingnsacrifices. Take small steps towards your goal every day,ninstead of occasional bursts of activity.

The principal difference between the average person and the one who is highly successful seems to be in the degree of his or hernpersonal motivation. Motivation is the hidden power in thensuccessful person's arsenal and is the key ingredient fornsuccess. Most people, I believe are motivated or have thenpotential if they are aroused and interested in the activity.

However, one thing is for sure: It is not something someone nelse can give you. It must be self-generated from within; it nis not exte
al "RA RA" hype. In other words, motivation is anninner energy, rather than a fire lit by others. Perhaps it's enthusiasm???

Strong motivation also stems from a deep rooted belief in whatnyou are trying to do; it is strongest when it comes from you
inner values. This creates a feeling of ENTHUSIASM which isnessential in order to remain motivated. Look at the zeal of anmissionary or a Jehovah's Witness. The best salesmen are thosenwho get very excited about and have total faith in thei
products. They sell with a firm conviction that their productnis the best available.n *
WHAT ARE THE MAIN SOURCES OF MOTIVATION?

What influences people to do as they do? There are many ndiverse influences. It is difficult to pin-point which one is nmost important, but some factors are as follows: different ncultures, social environment and biological influences (eg. nhunger, thirst) in work and in play. Other influences are our nthoughts, our perceptions. Everyone is different and unique, sonthere are great individual differences in our drives.

There are two main sources of motivation: What will happen ifnyou do? What will happen if you don't? For example, your docto
advises you to give up smoking. If you do, you will feel bette
and live longer; if you don't your health is going to ndeteriorate. Both sources (and implications) are equally npowerful.

There is a strong correlation between motivation and nachievement. Highly motivated people are nearly always nachievers. Thrillseekers like sky-divers and stuntmen often nneed to do life threatening activities to keep them motivated.
Danger gives them pleasure and keeps them motivated.

Why do we work? Is it just for money or is money merely a nshort-term issue? I am personally not motivated by money. Inprefer interesting and exciting work that offers a challenge nand the opportunity for personal growth. Others may feel the nneed for affiliation or to contribute to society. In the nfollowing chapter there is an exercise on this.

Understanding motivation gives us the power to accept our nbehaviour when we have strange reactions. It can also enable usnto change what we think and do if we want to improve ournbehaviour or performance. So when going for a job it is criticalnto understand your motivations. What do you really want andnexpect from it?

What do others expect of you? Our behaviour is directly naffected by our needs. If you are clear about the answers younwill be happiest.

THEORIES OF MOTIVATION:

There are three main theories of motivation:
1. Desire for achievement (ie a sense of significance).
2. Desire for power.
3. Desire for affiliation or a sense of belonging.

These theories are linked to the concept of extrinsic and nintrinsic rewards. Extrinsic motivation comes from outside, fornexample, the prospect of fame, recognition, monetary rewards,ngaining power, respect or social approval/belonging ( = a sense of affiliation). With intrinsic rewards, the task or situation isnin itself motivating or compelling. Motivation is often definednin terms of our goals. Marie says that contributing to societynby daring to be different is what motivates me - strange! Inthink that I get bored easily without a challenge. Enough aboutn"little old me"!

There are six main steps or elements in the process of nmotivation.n n 1. Desire: First, to be motivated you must have an intensenbu
ing desire to get where or what you want.n n 2. Decision: You must make a conscious decision on what to aim for.

3. Determination: to climb mountains so that absolutely nnothing will stop you. You need to be able to repeat the habitsnwhich are necessary to get there.n n 4. Discipline: It is critical to pay the price whether you nlike it or not. Motivation is strongest when it is theninte
alisation of your goals and dreams, in other words, whennyou are headed on a clear path in your life's direction.n n 5. Focusn n 6. Direction nand

N.B:
7. PURPOSE: because once you find your purpose, you WILL nbe motivated. Purpose comes from enthusiam and is lit by our passions.

Certain people have the constant challenge to reach and sustain nan optimum level of motivation which overcomes problems and nbringsresults. If there is no challenge in what you are doing, nmotivation will soon wither and die.

Always remember: The buck starts - and stops - with you.

Self knowledge is the key to self-motivation: - why do wenbehave as we do? What makes us "tick"?

Also critical for motivation is the image or snapshot you havenof yourself. This is based on your inner belief in yourself asnwell as your attitude and views of your strengths andnweaknesses. If you believe in yourself and expect success, younwill act confidently and be highly motivated.

Key Points of this lesson:n n * We must define success for ourselves.n n * Be aware of our own strengths and weaknesses.n n * Your personal solutions lie within you.n n * To sustain motivation, do better than in the past.n n * Motivation often comes from a challenge.n n * It is necessary at times to make a positive out of a nnegative.n n * The most important thing for an achievement-orientated personnis to have a clear goal.nnandnn* I believe motivation is closely tied to purpose.

What comes first? The chicken or the egg? Motivation ornaction? The answer surprisingly is ACTION. First, we have tonprime the pump and the way is through action. People who tend tonprocrastinate confuse motivation and action.

"Get fired with enthusiasm; otherwise your boss may fire you with enthusiam!"

FIND YOUR PURPOSE - what are you attempting to achieve?
NB: THINK and EXPECT SUCCESS, ie a favourable outcome to your objectives... nthen you'll be very motivated in all your endeavours.

SO WHY NOT GET STARTED ON THAT NEXT ARTICLE, TASK OR PROJECT...

WHAT'S STOPPING YOU?

Craig Lock ("Information and Inspiration Distributer")

About the author:
Craig Lock has written extensively in the field of self nhelp. This extract is from his first published book
HANDBOOK TO SURVIVE - a collection of writings on various nsubjects to help every man or woman survive in a rapidlynchanging, uncertain world.nhttp://www.craiglockbooks.com

Books* by Craig (including "Handbook to Survive") are available at: nhttp://www2.webng.com/write
z/books.htmlnn* Fiction and non-fiction books, self help, novels, travel, humour.

All proceeds go to needy and underprivilileged children - MINE!

THIS ARTICLE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED

P.S: Don't worry about the world ending today... it's already ntomorrow in "little" scenic and tranquil New Zealand n n n n n n n n n