Motivation \ mō-te-vā-shun \ Reason to Act

Back in cave-man days, motivation consisted of carrying a big club and making loud noises. Today, we refer to that as FEAR motivation.

As Humans became more sophisticated, they discovered that fear motivation didn't work well because those affected toughened up to fear.

So we discovered a new way to motivate. To get a donkey to pull a card, we held out a carrot on a long stick, and the donkey, trying to get to the carrot, pulled the cart. We named this INCENTIVE motivation. But, that didn't work for very long either, because the donkey tired and just sat down.

We keep trying to usde one of these two kinds of motivation on employees today. We either threaten them, which eventually causes strikes (or they quit), or we incentive them which raises the cost of doing business to the point that we are no longer competetive.

So, what can we do? Since the two most popular types of motivation may work for short periods of time, neither will work for very long. It is obvious that we need to find a new kind of motivation that is more permanent.

It's called ATTITUDE motivation. In an earlier blog, we discussed attitudes and their relationship to results. Here it is again... If you think you can do something, you are right. On the other hand, if you think you cannot, you are also right.

Focus on the right kind of thinking, and you can become SELF-MOTIVATED. If your attitude, or habit of thaught is positive, so are the results!

NUTS...The Seeds of Greatness

Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't... or so goes the jingle on television. But, think about it: A tiny acorn, when planted and nourished turns into a mighty oak tree!  A small idea can turn into a million dollar business in the same way. All you have to do is plant that idea, nourish it, and you too, can grow a million dollar business!

However...mustering up the courage to develop a new idea and then taking the action necessary to plant it, nourish it, and care for it as it grows, takes a lot of guts.

But just as faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains, a good idea with the proper care and maintenance can become a wonderful thing!

If you doubt this, think of Dell Computers, MacDonalds Hamburgers, Toyota Hybrids...

Whats your idea, and how will you make it grow?

Prioritizing Activity

I once read a book that talked about managing time and prioritizing the activity of each day so the most important things were always accomplished. The simplicity of it was really neat. Here's how it went:

Take your list of things that need to be accomplished and separate them into three piles.

• Pile "A" shoud contain only those things that absolutely, positively must be done TODAY.
• Pile "B" should contain those things that you would like to complete after all the "A's" are done.
• Pile "C" should contain the remining items on the list.

Take the first item in the "A" pile and put it in front of you on your desk. Put the rest in Drawer "A" of your file cabinet.

Take the "B" pile and put it in Drawer "B" so you can work on them later.

Take the "C" pile and put it in a box and put the box in your closet, out of sight.

Now, work on the "A's", one at a time until they are completed, then start on the "B's."

After 30 days, if you have not visited the "C" box, empty it in the trash and forget about it. If you haven't visited the "B" drawer by the end of the week, move these to the "C" box and proceed accordingly.

DO THE "A's"... Now, get crackin'.

How Thought Affects Results

Look at the chart at the left. The way you think is determined by input to your brain through your five senses. What you see, smell, taste, touch and hear become ideas. If this input is repeated, the ideas become habits of thinking or "Attitudes." The way you think about something directly affects the way you do things. It even affects the way you feel. For instance, if you think you are cold, you might shiver. If, on the other hand, you think you are hot, you might perspire, even in the middle of a very cold day.

The way you act or behave, determines the results you get when you attempt something. Therefore, it follows that if you are told over and over again by your coach that you can pole vault over a six foot bar, and you watch others doing it, you begin to think you can really do it yourself. Once convinced that you can, you try until the method you use works, and by golly, you clear the bar!

The best thing about all of this is this: If you are not satisfied with the results you are currently getting in your business, you have to look first at HOW you are running your business. (Behavior) If you can identify the behavior causing the unwanted results, you then need to change the way you THINK so the behavior will change. To chaange the way you think, you need to change the INPUT.

The good news is: Like the three fellows to the right, you have control over the input. Speak no negative things, Look at no negative things, and do not listen to negative things. Instead, allow in only positive ideas and methods. Listen only to positive thinking people. See yourself as being successful at what you do.

When you do this, others follow, and not only do you attract a great team with which to work, but you begin to attract the success that you desire!