Motivating Oneself For Sustained Peak Performance!

"Nothing in this world is so good as usefulness. ItYou Don't Have to Be Blind to See, Jim Stovall
binds your fellow creatures to you and you to them.demonstrates repeatedly that the greatest obstacles
It tends to the improvement of your own characterto success and motivation are self- inflicted!
and gives you a real importance in society much5. Personal Mission Statement Focus - individuals with
beyond what any artificial station can bestow."defined self purpose as Stephen Covey called it in his
- B. C. Brodiebest selling book, 7 Habits Of Highly Successful
Motivating those on ones' team for peakPeople, are in fact successful and live in greater self
performance and sustained performance ability isharmony because they gravitate toward those things
essential to a healthy organization. At the same time,and people that have connection with what they are
a leader must be always vigilant to remain energizedabout. This serves as a self fulfilling energy depositor!
and motivated them self, if the team they lead is to6. Professional Mission Statement Focus - so too
demonstrate similar traits and characteristics.would hold true for truly effective professionals, they
A mentor of mine once expressed the view that ifarrive in the work place with clarity of purpose that
organizations hired motivated people they would beholds self- meaning and when engaged in actions that
able to spend less time focusing on how to motivateserve this purpose, they too seem to become more
and reward employees.energized and thus motivated!
While I agree in spirit to that statement, I do feel7. Master Mind Group - famed business man of the
that the individuals sustained acts that are recognizedmid 1900's Napoleon Hill in the classic book, Success
and appreciated serve as on going fuel in ones' gasThrough A Positive Mental Attitude, called it ones'
tank of life. If one puts out energy without beingpersonal board-of-directors, to surround yourself with
replenished, one will ultimately burn out and crash!like professionals that you can draw upon for open,
Here are ten proven simple strategies for remainingcandid and confidential input in times of high and low
energized and motivated in the work place as awill be a powerful force personally. Your Master Mind
managerial-leader. Consider:Group will serve as a constant source of inspiration
1. Completion - psychology reveals that ones' mindand motivation to you and your causes!
must see completion or accomplishment to energy8. Other Person Focused - whether referred to as
expanded. If one works on project(s) and at the endservant leadership or customer focused, when you
of the day, nothing quantifiable is accomplished, itunderstand what is held to be truly meaningful to the
becomes harder and harder to sustain that sameother person in the work place and you can assist
level, not mention an increased level, of commitmentthem in attaining that, you will find them a more
and enthusiasm toward the project. It is natural forwilling participant in your circles. This willingness feeds
the mind to divert energies toward other matters,your energy and the two of you become more
when it does not see results. So, a simple, silly yetmoved and motivated in your actions...energies are
meaningful example would be to make sure thatworking together and not against one another!
every day your schedule is loaded with something9. Don't Argue - without question, the fastest way
that you can look back upon at the end of the dayto drain ones' energy level, increase ones' negative
as having accomplished, a this or a that!self talk and reduce forward momentum both in the
2. Limit Exposure To People - limit the amount ofnow and contribute toward possible future obstacles,
time you spend around those people that are 'takers'is to engage in an argument with another person in a
and not 'givers' of energy. Engaging individuals thatprofessional environment. Just recognize in most
tend to be energy drainers, negative perspectivearguments there are two critical questions: Who gets
oriented and toxic personalities are sure-fire ways ofexhausted? Who gets energized? This will aid as a
having energy drained from you. Have a strategy forgood guidepost toward future engagements for
engaging them that allows you to engage and escapesustained enthusiasm!
quickly. As detailed in ENOUGH ALREADY: 50 Fast10. Just Do It - as the mantra goes, so to do
Ways To Deal With, Manage And Eliminate Negativitywinners! Procrastination and the act of 'excuse-it is'
At Work And Home, I have found that by limitingcan both hold one back from victory and victories
your exposure to these types of people you willserve as energy depositors, the act of waiting,
remain motivated and energized more often!holding back, putting off and just simple
3. Limit Exposure To Things - limit the amount ofprocrastination on those tasks, issues, etc. which one
time you spend on projects, activities, committees ormust address only serve to be powerful
things that are 'takers' and not 'givers' of energy.demotivators. It is like building a daily 'to do list' and
Participating in some of those 'things' that one doesputting the ugly task to last, it only serves to ruin an
not always have to engage in, tend to be energyotherwise great day and will ensure that you go
drainers of you. Have a strategy that will tell youabout that matter with only have your energy level ...
when to engage, participate and when to bite ones'load that type of activity into the day after some
tongue, shut up and or not even show up to thething great and before something great and even it
event! You will find that by limiting your exposure towill be done with great motivation. And as a leader,
these types of 'things' you will remain motivated andremember 'model' the behaviors they see exhibited
energized more often!from you!
4. Don't Volunteer - it is amazing to listen to your selfUnlocking the door to ones passion points has a
talk as to those times when you feel abused, takendramatic effect of becoming a never-ending waterfall
advantage of, not appreciated, etc. and realize thatfrom which one gains a flow of energy. It is from
for a large percentage of the time this occurs whenthis flow of energy and that serves as the core
one has willing volunteered and subjected themselvessource of ones' energy creators that one will be able
to an event or group of people. This self-inflictedto sustain constant motivation. As a leader it is you
energy robbing experience can be greatly curtailed bythat serves as the well from which the team comes
reducing and sometimes eliminating ones' willingnessfor nurture and substance!
to place one in these scenarios! In his landmark book,