What Motivates You?

As a life-long student of personal development, I've attended dozens of motivational seminars, listened to hundreds of tapes, and read untold books on the subject of motivation . I've presented motivational seminars. And yet there is one elemental truth that seems often overlooked. That is: no one can motivate you, because you have to do it to yourself. It's an inside job. And frankly it's less a function of "doing" than it is of discovering what your natural motivators are. So the key to getting and staying motivated is finding out what excites you. What makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning? What speaks to your heart as well as your head?

Is it the thought of being able to call your own shots as an independent business owner? Perhaps you get excited about the idea of helping people design systems of whatever kind to help them work more effectively and effortlessly. Maybe you hunger for an opportunity to speak to others in a way that inspires and lights their internal fires. Or perhaps being part of a team of people, working together to make great things happen, is what makes your heart beat faster. It could be that you love variety and any environment that generates it.

If your basic needs were met and your mind could freely roam where it chose, what subjects would naturally bubble to the surface? What things naturally generate a sense of energy and ease? What is as natural to you as "falling off a log?" These are questions that begin to tap the root of what motivates you.

In a recent conversation with a prospective client she told me she was thinking of getting out of her current profession as a self-employed professional organizer. As we talked she discovered that what she was really looking for was the opportunity to team up and partner with others to stimulate her creative juices and generate more business. It didn't mean going back to work for someone else, although that was one option. Rather it was about transforming her idea of the ideal business environment for her. By the end of the call she had a renewed sense of possibility about her career. And she had definitely decided that going back to work for someone else, although "simple" in some respects, would not actually lead her where she wanted to go.

In this day and age when jobs and businesses are changing faster than ever before, when they "keep moving the cheese" (read Who Moved My Cheese? for the full explanation), those who create success for themselves will be those who find out what motivates them and follow that path. It may not mean being your own boss, but even if you work for someone else, it means finding that place where you can most readily apply your innate gifts and talents and use your internal motivational fire to serve others. Once you know what motivates you, your career options are infinitely clearer.

There are many tools and assessments in the marketplace today that can assist you in discovering where your natural motivations lie. Contact me if you'd like more information on those I offer. Or simply begin to pay attention to what gets you excited. Make a list of the things you most love doing and the environments you most enjoy working in. As you connect the dots, a new picture of your own motivators will emerge. And along with them, a renewed sense of the possibilities of "following your bliss". This week, sit with the question, "What motivates me?" And listen closely for what comes up. You may be surprised.

Betty Mahalik has been coaching small business owners, independent professionals and leaders who want to achieve more but stress less, since 1996. Her background includes several years in the broadcasting and public relations fields prior to starting her own firm in 1987. She is an accomplished public speaker and corporate trainer specializing in communications, goal-setting and leveraging your strengths. Since 2001, she has written a weekly motivational message, free to subscribers, titled Monday Morning Coach. To subscribe or learn more about Betty's coaching and training services, visit http://www.dynamic-coaching.com

---

The Undeniable Power of a Mastermind Group

A Mastermind is a group of individuals who are joined... Read More

9 Great Ways To Change Your Life By Changing Your Motivation Style

If you are not as productive as you'd like or... Read More

Motivtion: The Power of Responsibility

One of the things I've noticed about successful people is... Read More

Context-Free Living ... Living Without Boundaries!

I know by now that you've heard the terms Debt-Free... Read More

Motivation: Small Changes, Big Results

When I was 8 years old, my parents let me... Read More

Fear

As you prepare to take your first steps, could there... Read More

Have You Just Hit The Wall?

Have you hit the 'brick wall' yet?No? Well it won't... Read More

The Dawn On The Nile Valley Has Secrets To Tell! (3)

Me and Mao Tse-Tung!My first political experience was with Mao... Read More

Dismantle Self Imposed Limits

Round about us is an invisible box that we have... Read More

A Burning Desire

"Mommy, he's doing it again." I yelled as I came... Read More

The Benefits of Keeping A Journal

Keeping a journal has many advantages and benefits. Whether you... Read More

Going with the Flow

This whole idea of change is founded on a single... Read More

Are You Suffering from the Autopilot Dilemma?

An epidemic is occurring all around you, and there is... Read More

Intelligence & Energy

Life and evolution is the dynamics of energy in which... Read More

Why Now Is The Perfect Moment For You To Succeed

Let´s discover the importance of balancing preparation, timing and momentum.... Read More

It Is Up To You

One of the first things successful people realize is the... Read More

The Simple Life

When we talk about a Simple Life, we are not... Read More

Are You an Optimist or a Pessimist?

I have been giving some thought lately to optimism and... Read More

The Conversation of Recovery - Part One

Transformational Counseling is all about assisting another human being to... Read More

Have A Crack!

For everyone the New Year is now in full swing.... Read More

Dont Wait For All of Lifes Traffic Lights to Turn Green

Can you imagine getting into your motor vehicle, reversing out... Read More

What Is The Value In Wanting To Accomplish Something?

When I listen to people tell me about some of... Read More

Overcoming Procrastination

What are the reasons that YOU procrastinate?Are you a perfectionist?Do... Read More

Creating Your Best Year Ever

January is synonymous with resolutions and getting organized is high... Read More

After the Big Project: Recovering From Success

My older daughter got married 10 days ago. The wedding... Read More

Prime That Pump! Part 3

How healthy is your vision of yourself? How does your... Read More

Maintaining Your Motivation

I recently spoke to a group of sales professionals at... Read More

Map to a Gold Mine - Could You, Would You?

If a total stranger came up to you and said:... Read More

Living Outside the Lines of Normal and Reasonable

Elizabeth Tull is a Professional Excellence Coach who lives with... Read More

Creative Procrastination

Do you ever postpone things, or just forget about them... Read More

Motivation: Good Luck or Bad Luck, Too Soon to Tell

As the story goes, there was once a farmer and... Read More

Did You Have A Tough Childhood?

Many claim intense childhood trauma "damages" a person in their... Read More

7 Hot Tips for Self Improvement Part 1

Have you ever imagined that life could be a lot... Read More