Saturday 29 December 2012

Self-Motivation - It’s like brushing your teeth

Do you have the ability to do what needs to be done, without influence from other people or situations?
How many people, do you think, are self-motivated enough to find a reason and strength to complete a task, even when challenging, without giving up or needing another to encourage them?

Motivational speakers are cashing it in worldwide. But why in the world would a boss need to motivate employees? I know you’ll have a million good reasons as to why it is done, but think about it for a moment.

I can understand that you can increase SKILL level with on-the-job-training, but should one actually be hiring or training someone to be motivated at his or her job?

Here’s my theory on this topic of SELF-MOTIVATION: On the one hand, the person is doing the job basically because there is some aspect to the job that is fulfilling and that he/she is passionate or cares about and they can make a living from it. Then, on the other hand, there is the person who cares only for the pay-cheque; they would rather be doing something else, but that “something else” is not bringing in the money like the “pay-cheque job”, so they simply do the minimum.

Now, let me come back to my question I put to you in the beginning…
Why in the world would you need to motivate employees?
The answer: because there are too many people who would rather be “doing something else” but they have become “addicted” to the paycheque. (Are you addicted to your pay-cheque?)


Gentle reader, are you self-motivated in your career path? Are you determined to be the best in your field of expertise and are willing to grow and learn, whatever it takes or whatever it might cost you? This question about self-motivation is an important question to ask.
Do not rely on friends, family or your boss to “pump you up” to meet targets or set personal goals. This is your task.

Here is the simple truth: People who have found their passion in life are by nature SELF-motivated. They stay on top of their industries and market trends. They are self-motivated to learn more about their job. In fact, they do not see their “job” as a job, but as a blessing to be able to learn and do more EVEN if they do not get recognition for it. They do not care about getting “appreciated” for their contribution - they are too busy focusing on their growth experience.
There are many tools you can use to help you get self-motivated. Books, seminars, mentors, role models, vision boards, etc, but you have to realize that it has to start from within. Meaning: It is a choice or a decision you make to be motivated each day. It is like brushing your teeth… it is something you have to do each day and not skip.

You CANNOT allow, nor wait for people and circumstances to get you motivated and fired up. Simply, pick up the tools each day yourself and stay motivated. Be aware that a motivated person has the energy levels to far out-perform any colleague or competitor. Motivated people are ACHIEVERS and you won’t find them procrastinating. They set their goals and achieve them with passion.

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Calvin Dorman is a Professional Business Consultant and Web Marketing Lecturer from Cape Town, South Africa, offering companies and individuals more effective Web Marketing, one to one Computer Training and Graphic Design solutions. Send Calvin an email: info@calvinbusiness.co.za or give him a call now on 084 632 6622. Read more of Calvin's motivational articles at http://www.calvinbusiness.co.za


Monday 17 December 2012

Have you found your purpose in life?


Do you know what is driving you? Why are you working so hard and doing so much to get what you want? Do you know your purpose for being here?

It seems strange that most of the time we go through life without any real purpose of our own. At times we do achieve great things and have the appearance of having a wonderful life. We may even have every material thing we could ever want and be successful at our careers, businesses and every thing else. But, as many who have achieved success will tell you, you can still feel empty inside and your life can still lack real meaning.

Have you ever noticed that everything has a purpose in life. The trees, ants, bees, birds and every living thing have a purpose for being. Human beings, whatever you believe their origin to be, are the greatest of all of nature’s wonders. Why then are most of them so purposeless in their existence?

It seems like many of us exist simply to exist. We live year in and year out as though living itself is our ultimate goal. If we make enough money and have enough things to get us through to the next year we are satisfied. Surely, there is more to our lives than that?

If you are anything like most people you are probably waiting for some miraculous experience that will tell you why you are here and what you must do. Such moments do occur for some people, but they are the exception and not the rule.

The fact is, most people already have the starting point for knowing their purpose in life.
It may be something that interests you, excites you, inspires you, or just that small voice in the back of your head that tells you you ought to be doing something.These are often the clues that hold the answer to finding your purpose. Unfortunately, they are often the clues we tend to ignore or suppress. Yes, they may not be complete clues. Certain pieces of the puzzle may be missing. But these pieces can only be found once we decide to set off on the journey.

Making that decision is the key. Therefore, (1) decide that there is purpose to your life. Then (2) decide to commit yourself to finding your purpose.

Without these two decisions being settled in your mind you will wonder through life like almost everybody else out there: busy, but achieving nothing.

Deciding to find your purpose will set you on the right track and make your mind receptive and ready to see every day things in a new light.

However, you have to seek out the answers. Read books that make you think, watch inspiring movies, spend time with the right people, develop your interests and passions.
All this is part of keeping your mind in the right environment, an environment that is right for your very own "a-hah moment".

There is no way in the world anyone can do what I have just described to you and end up living a meaningless life. One piece at a time the puzzle will become clear and complete.
You will discover your purpose, and when you do, it will likely not be some experience where you got hit on the head and nearly knocked out by the revelation. It will come naturally.
It will be something that combines most of your life’s experiences and your abilities into one perfect purpose. It will be something you probably had a clue about all along. However, don’t ever make the mistake of wanting to know everything before you start anything. Start where you are with what you have and with what you know.

Gentle reader, awake to the fact that you are already all you can be. You simply have to be brave enough to make the decision to go out there and be it.
read more articles from my website:
www.calvinbusiness.co.za

Sunday 2 December 2012

Failure is the highway to success.


THE REASON FOR PERSUING YOUR DREAM MUST BE BIGGER
THAN THE SETBACKS YOU WILL ENCOUNTER  IN YOUR JOURNEY


The very nature of dreaming big dreams and stretching yourself beyond the normal is a little scary. Scary in the sense that you leave safety, you leave routine, You leave the world of safe, but unfulfilling relationships. You leave the world where people smile giant smiles when they are asked to pose for a picture, but are really unhappy with their life.

You will certainly fail more than your friends & neighbors and those who live a life called Ordinary. But one must fail to win.

To be successful, especially in business, one has to try new things from time-to-time which involves taking risks. And the more risks you take in the pursuit of your dreams, the more you are going to fail. Failing is one of the ways we learn what works and what does’nt. I used to wonder why this happened, even after a lot of planning went into a launch of a new course. But now I get it. Failure is the highway to success. 

Too many amongst us live our lives in what is often called “the safe harbor of the known.” Same thinking for the past 5 years. Same conversations for the past 10 years. Same breakfast for the past 20 years.

Well, if it makes you happy, then that’s a beautiful thing. But I don’t know of anyone who is really happy living like that. True joy comes when you try new things and take some chances. Yes, you will start to experience more failure. But guess what, success also starts to pay more visits.

Failure is just part of the process of getting to greatness. The best companies on the planet have failed more than the average ones.

To me, the only failure is the failure to not try and dream and dare. And I deeply feel that the greatest risk you will ever take in your life is if you never take a risk.

Sometimes discouragement sets in. Happens to all of us. We try hard, stay true to our dreams and pursue our ideals. Yet nothing happens. Or so it seems. But every choice matters. And every step counts. Life runs according to its own agenda – not yours. Be patient.

Here are my 3 business absolutes. If you continually persue them even when you are failing, then you can be assured that you will eventually succeed:

1. Be passionate about what you do.This must be consistent. You have to really love what you do and be motivated all the time to go beyond your setbacks. Read more about my views on this topic. Do not just make a living: Design a life

 2. Be the best at what you do.
Be better than anyone else in your field at what you do.
Have the most up-to-date skillset in your field. In my case, I am an expert in design and training using CorelDRAW. I have the skills and continuous learning approach which makes me unmatched in my field. Read more about my views on this topic:
After Mindset,it is Skills that will take your business to the top.
3. Always put your client first.
That is why you are still in business in the first place. This caring for your client should not merely be lip-service, but one of your core values and a cornerstone business principle. Read more about my views on this topic:
Always place people above profits
 

Simple strategies. But remember: what separates the best from the rest is their consistent adherence to a few simple best practices. Or what I call the “3 business absolutes” which over time evolve into spectacular results. Eventually, a good person just cannot be denied.

Read more articles from my website: http://www.calvinbusiness.co.za