Motivated people engage in positive  self-talk, while unmotivated people engage in  negative  self-talk.  Here are a few examples of negative self-talk that lead to discouragement and a lack of motivation:

“I’m a terrible writer.”

“This is going to take forever because it’s not something I’m good at.”

“This is such a waste of time; it’s going to turn out terribly.”

If those are the kind of thoughts going through your head, it’s no wonder you struggle to follow through. Instead of succumbing to negative self-talk, the most motivated people say things like:

“I’m excited for the increased revenue this is going to create.”

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to improve this client’s life.”

“I can’t wait for the reward at the end of this task.”

That might sound subtle, but …

The journey from good to great is made up of small changes, made consistently.

Next time you feel yourself engaging in negative self-talk, interrupt the pattern by asking these three questions:

How does this task move me closer to my long-term goals?

What other benefits am I going to gain by completing this task?

What about this task am I thankful for?

The trick is giving each question the time it deserves. Don’t move on until you’ve come up with a genuine answer for each.

By answering the three questions above, you give yourself a reason to complete your task. Once there’s a compelling reason behind your task, motivation is going to come a lot easier.

3. Surround yourself with the right people

Entrepreneur extraordinaire Jim Rohn often said …

The groups you associate with often determine the type of person you become .

Changing the company you keep can dramatically change the type of person you are , so surround yourself with motivated, driven, and ambitious people. Here’s how:

Create a list of five people you consider highly-motivated; those who know what they want and are relentlessly determined to get it.

Next to each name, write down one way you could be valuable to them . Not sure how? Be blunt and ask them about their professional challenges, then tap your resources for potential introductions or value payloads .

Execute on your value-generation strategy as quickly as possible, then find another  way to provide value; something mutually beneficial that makes your presence relevant. Keep this up and you’ll eventually become a vital part of their network.

In addition to creating a personal circle of highly-motivated connections, you might also want to look into professional networking organizations like 10XCEO  or CEOQuest .

Or reach out to your investors; they may be able to recommend groups or make introductions. For example: One of our clients, Founders Circle Capital , does an exceptional job at this with their “scar tissue” groups.

These groups bring together high-quality entrepreneurs facing similar challenges and allow them to network and brainstorm. Everyone involved leaves feeling motivated with a renewed sense of purpose.

4. Increase the visibility of your goals

Everyone knows they need clearly-defined goals; that’s Motivation 101. What they don’t realize is that the power of goals isn’t in creating  them; it’s in  reviewing  them.

When most people create goals, they write them down, stow them away, and promptly forget about them. They let the urgency of day-to-day operations distract them from dynamic growth  and, before they know it, six motivation-less months have passed.

Your long-term goals (or North Star Objectives, as we call them at Mindmaven) should be so visible they’re consistently top-of-mind. If they’re not, they won’t be completed; it’s as simple as that.

Here are two ways to increase the mindshare of your goals:

 

1. Create a morning routine

Begin every day by reviewing your North Star Objectives. There’s no “right” way to do this. You might meditate on them, write them down, read them aloud, or envision them as already complete; as long as you feel empowered and motivated by the end, you’re starting your day off right.

 

2. Integrate your goals into your task management system

The biggest goal-killers are to-do lists. It’s easy to get so caught up in the day-to-day operations of your business that you go days, weeks, or even months without thinking of the future. Counter this tendency by giving your long-term goals a constant spot at the top of your task management system .

In the end, remember this:

Your goals are only as powerful as the mindshare they occupy.

If you want to turn them into reality, they need to be a part of every aspect of your life.

The secret to long-term success

Getting  motivated is easy; anyone can do that. The secret to long-term success is  staying  motivated.

For motivation to last, it needs to become a habit; and establishing a habit takes time. According to recent studies , expect an average of 66 days.

During those 66+ days, lasting motivation will require a conscious effort on your part and, like any new skill, you’re probably going to make a few mistakes in the beginning. Don’t feel discouraged.

As long as you use the strategies above to correct yourself, you’ll get there. Your brain is trained one day at a time, so stick with it. The rewards are worth the effort, I promise.

Written by

Patrick Ewers

Executive coach & founder of Mindmaven, a company that teaches entrepreneurs and leaders how to generate breakthrough opportunities from their network.

 

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