Staying Motivationally Nourished

Written by David DeFord


Motivation is very much like our bodies—without consistent nourishment it dies. We must see that we consistently feed our motivation with uplifting material and people. Dr. Stephen Covey calls it “sharpeningrepparttar saw.” Takingrepparttar 123329 time to sharpenrepparttar 123330 saw increases our productivity and easesrepparttar 123331 effort. By doing so, we can continuously make progress toward goal achievement.

This nourishment can take many forms: • Books • Articles • Websites • E-zines • Discussion groups and forums • Audio programs • Live seminars • Tele-seminars

Just as you should eat a balanced diet, so you should nourish yourself with a variety of sources for motivational energy. Atrepparttar 123332 end of this chapter, I have provided links to some of my favorite authors and resources.

Books For hundreds of years, books have brought inspiration and instruction to billions. Those who liverepparttar 123333 “TV existence” vegetate their way around wonderful inspiration. Books teach us, inspire us, entertain us, and can build in usrepparttar 123334 passion we need to nail our goals.

If we obtain and study books that help us lift ourselves and build our skills, we position ourselves to achieverepparttar 123335 greatness we seek. Every author has his own perspective. By reading a variety of subjects and authors, we can take from eachrepparttar 123336 teachings that apply to ourselves.

For me, books represent my favorite means for nourishment.

We now haverepparttar 123337 added opportunity to obtain eBooks. We can purchase these books online and immediately download them onto our own computers. Some can then be loaded onto our PDA’s for portability. You may wish to read eBooks directly from your monitor, or you may choose to print them out and read them.

Articles Magazine articles can provide you with good motivational nourishment on a single subject. Often, these articles point you to resources available from various sources.

Website No matterrepparttar 123338 subject, there are probably hundreds if not thousands of websites covering it. Most of these providerepparttar 123339 information to you at no charge. Some websites provide premium memberships that give you access to more detailed information. Most often,repparttar 123340 site will point you to resources you can purchase. Either,repparttar 123341 site allows you to purchaserepparttar 123342 resources at their site, or they link you to an affiliate site that pays them forrepparttar 123343 referral.

Websites can be excellent sources of motivational nourishment. Find a few that you trust, and return to them often. Every few months, search around for additional sites.

Subscribe to one or two. It will only cost you a few dollars a year, and will give you access to hundreds of articles on a variety of subjects.

E-zines Want a regular infusion of energy and information? Subscribe to a few e-zines. These publications come to you via email at no charge. Many of them are well-written and insightful. They feature an article or two in each issue, as well as inspirational quotes and stories. And, like websites, they offer resources for purchase.

Select three or four, and read them when they come. It may take you ten to fifteen minutes to read them, but they can provide you withrepparttar 123344 energy infusion you need to keep focused on your goals.

Eleven Steps to Getting What You Want

Written by David DeFord


Do you set New Year’s resolutions every year, but never keep them? You aren’t alone.

What arerepparttar usual resolutions? Lose weight Stop smoking Stop cussing Read more, and watch less TV Stay on a budget Exercise

A few years ago, I worked in an office building that had a health club attached. Beginning January 1st,repparttar 123328 parking garage would be full, and cars would be lined up a half mile onrepparttar 123329 road side. People would cruise around in their cars waiting forrepparttar 123330 close-in spots to open up so they could go in and exercise. I never got that! This would last until mid-January—when everything would go back to normal.

The list of resolutions above are all very worthy endeavors. It has been said, “If you keep doing what you are currently doing, you’ll keep getting what you are currently getting.” If you sincerely want to make a good go at your resolutions this year, I would like to give you some steps you can take to keep your resolve and stay motivated.

1. Write your resolutions down. You know this; you hear it every year. Write them down. But first, dream awhile. Make a dream list. What would you wish for yourself if you had no limitations? Jot downrepparttar 123331 list, let it flow, don't argue with yourself. Now, what one great thing would you dare to dream if success was certain? Record your ultimate goal, and some short- and mid-range goals for progress measurement. Carryrepparttar 123332 list around with you everywhere you go. Review it often to remind yourself. Henry David Thoreau said, "Have you built your castles inrepparttar 123333 air? Good, that's where they should be built. Now, go to work and build foundations under them."

2. Set a date. Set a date on which you will have completedrepparttar 123334 goal.

3. Make a plan. All ofrepparttar 123335 motivation inrepparttar 123336 world won’t help you if you don’t plan how you’ll do it. List your steps. Include what you’ll say to yourself when you want to relax your standards a little. Countrepparttar 123337 cost, and decide if it's worth it. Decide on small rewards you'll give yourself alongrepparttar 123338 way as you make progress. Be sure to makerepparttar 123339 rewards big enough to keep you striving. Makerepparttar 123340 rewards compliment your goal, not hinder it. For instance, I should not reward myself for meeting a weight-loss goal by eating an entire chocolate cake. Instead, I should buy a new shirt in a smaller size. Zig Ziglar has said, "When you develop a game plan to get what you want, you will develop a belief that you can get it."

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