Self motivation is a gateway to self esteem and success. It is difficult to maintain for the simple reason that negativity is everywhere, which makes you insecure and kills creativity. Good ideas are criticized by the negativity of others who do not share our goals and ideals. It is easy to get discouraged, but the self motivated person gains from it and turns it into something positive. Check out these ideas to keep your motivation high.

Be aware of your self concept. Understand yourself. Plan your tasks and work methods around your strengths and weaknesses. So what if your co-worker does it differently. That is what works for him, not necessarily for you. You produce more efficiently if you take the time to customize everything around you.

Track your achievements. Put your goals on paper. Now cross them off when you are finished and congratulate yourself for a job well done every single time. If you do not realize what you are accomplishing, you will get in a rut and face each day with dread rather than excitement.

Divide big projects into a few smaller tasks. Big projects are daunting and promote procrastination. Completing the project a piece at a time will actually get it done faster and you will have more opportunities to congratulate yourself.

Mingle with like minded folks. Even people with the best intentions can suck the energy right out of you and your creative self. You cannot change your Sister’s negativity and lack of imagination, but you can choose the role she plays in your life. Find someone with common goals and interests to share ideas with and keep each other excited. It goes a long way.

Avoid tension and anger. They slow you down and accomplish nothing. If something goes wrong, take your lumps and move on.

You are a priority. Treat yourself as such. Your mind and body will perform to their maximum potential only if you feed and recharge them. Skipping lunch or a stretch break will make only make you think you got further ahead on your project. The reality is you would have had more energy and focus to accomplish more if you had taken the break.

In the beginning I said it is difficult to maintain self motivation. But if you look at it another way, it is the most simple because YOU are in control. YOU give yourself the encouragement and motivation you need to succeed, without having to wait on the response or action of anybody else. When you are feeling good about yourself and the situation, there is no limit to what you can achieve.

Unleash Your Creativity

So how do you unleash your creative thinking? Well, the first thing is to become a human leech. No, we’re not talking about just sucking the blood out of every living being available, we’re saying that you should take in as much knowledge and learning you can find. Read everything available — good and bad, and keep your mind open to the infinite possibilities of the universe. The more you know, the more you’ll want to know, and the more your faculty of wonder will be exercised. Prepare to be amazed at little facts that add a bit of color into your life. 

Focus on a creative activity everyday. Yes, it’s an effort. Even doodling is a creative activity. Don’t let anything hinder you. Mindlessness may be a creative activity, but for people who are just starting out to unleash a little bit of creative thinking in their lives, it is helpful and encouraging to have concrete evidence, that, “hey, what I’m doing is getting somewhere.” So why don’t you try it. Practice drawing for a couple of minutes each day. Bring out your old camera and start snapping photos like crazy. Keep a journal and make a point to write in it religiously. Another cool idea is to write by describing something with your five senses. Try to avoid vague adjectives like “marvelous,” “amazing,” and “delicious.” Before you know it, you’ll have built yourself a tiny portfolio, and you’ll be amazed at the growth you’ve undertaken after amassing all those works of art. Who knows, you might actually take to liking those things you do everyday. Pretty soon those things will become a part of you and you’ll be addicted to these creative exercises.

Think out of the box — or don’t. Sometimes, constraints are actually a good thing. Limitations discipline you to work within your means. It enables you to be more resourceful. Creative freedom is great, but limitations enforce discipline.

Try something new everyday and let your experiences broaden your perspective. Explore a new district in your neighborhood. Spend an afternoon in a museum to which you’ve never been before. Chat up someone on the bus. Open up to the people around you. As you thrust yourself out of your comfort zone more and more each day, your sense of adventure grows and so does your zest for life. Think about it. When was the last time you did something for the first time? If it’s been a while, I tell you, you’ve been missing out on a whole lot of experiences that could’ve added to your growth, emotionally, mentally, physically, or spiritually. Why don’t you try bungee jumping today? Not only will you learn, but you will also have plenty of stories to share, enabling you to practice your storytelling skills and making you the life of the party.

Embrace insanity. No, not to the point of practically admitting yourself into the mental ward. As John Russell once said, “Sanity calms, but madness is more interesting.” Exactly! Every creative thought was once deemed insanity by other “normal” people at one time or another. Luckily, that didn’t stop the creative geniuses from standing by them. The thing is, sanity or being normal confines people to think… well, normally. Withink limits. Creativity is essentially breaking through barriers. Yes, this includes the bizzarre and the downright strange. I’m not saying that you yourself should develop a creative personality. That might go haywire. An example of a creative personality would be George Washington, who often rode into battle naked, or James Joyce, who wrote “Dubliners” with beetle juice for an intense fear of ink, or Albert Einstein, who thought his cat was a spy sent by his rival (or in thinking creatively in this case, the term could probably be “archnemesis.”) It’s important that your creativity doesn’t get you detached from the real world completely.

I hope this article has inspired you to start thinking beyond your “limits.” If you follow these steps pretty soon you’ll be living a life full of interesting adventures. Unleashing your creative thinking  will bring about a new zest for living life.

Who on earth has succeeded at the first attempt?!

A common misconception is the fact that people actually reach success overnight.  It never happens – not even sometimes.  It’s possible that some  may become famous overnight – but that hardly makes them successful. Most successful people faced a lot of failures before they reached what others call “the overnight success”.

But what is the secret behind the overnight success? How do successful people react when they fail? To reveal this secret let me ask you one question:

Why do you fail to reach your goals? Do you even know what the ONLY reason is behind your failure to achieve your goals?

You may have  hundreds of excuses… I know I did. But if you look deeply inside yourself, you will only find ONE reason behind your failure.

Simply, you fail to reach your goals because you decide not to try again!!! Yes, it all comes down to this ONE reason. All successful people faced a lot of challenges and blocks and they failed too many times until they achieve their aims.

But what separates successful people from failures is that successful people try again if at first they don’t succeed. They persist until they get what they want – it really is that simple.

You ONLY fail when you quit. As long as you are still in the game, you have another chance to succeed.

To sum up, the main secret to goal achievement is the TRY AGAIN concept.

“If at first you don’t succeed, try again.” – W.C Fields

It is that simple and that powerful.

If you have a burning desire to achieve your goals and dreams, then don’t ever give up. Let your desire and passion fire your soul and give you the power to stay in the game until you win.

Try again, try again and you one day you will have an overnight success!

Fear does more to destroy the natural potential that people have than anything else on the planet. Each of us is capable of accomplishing incredible things. The “dream” life is available to each person on this planet. However, fear in its’ many forms creeps in to ruin any chance at achieving our true greatness.

The biggest problem with fear is that it is not real. It is exists in our heads. The mind conjures it up to protect itself from situations that it believes to be painful. Thus, it instills fear to turn us back from the situation that we are about to enter into.

One of the most powerful tools against fear is to remain in the moment. Focus upon what is in front of you. For fear to exist, one must project into the future. Unfortunately, because of the conditioning that we received over the years, our projections forward tend to be negative. Thus, when we look to a situation that is down the road, we view it as not working out to our satisfaction. This instills fear within us since we now must deal with something that we think is not good. However, notice how none of this has taken place. It is all in the mind.

Fortunately for us, most of our fears never come true. Unfortunately, they do a tremendous amount of damage because we allow them to stop us from taking action. It is amazing how powerful the mind is. Fear is such a powerful weapon that it can paralyze someone from taking any action whatsoever.

Realizing that most of what we fear never comes true is another tool against fear. A rational person would not take instructions from something he/she knows does not exist. Knowing that fear is a figment of our imagination allows us to discard what it says much easier. Would you listen to a little green Martian sitting on your shoulder telling you what to do? Fear is as real as that green Martian. Discard what it tells you since it has no basis in reality.

Success in life is a result of getting involved. One cannot win by standing on the sidelines. Fear of rejection, confrontation, and loss keep us from trying new things. There is always a degree of risk that things will not go as we planned. Successful people understand this, minimize the risk, and take action in spite of what their mind is telling them. The overcoming of fear is what allows then to get ahead.

It is said that courage is not the absence of fear, but, rather, the taking of action in spite of the fear. Remember this the next time you feel fearful about a particular situation. Everyone has fear to some degree. Realize that it will not be as bad as you imagine and bravely go forward. Nature loves and rewards those who take action.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/fear-does-not-exist-202631.html

About the Author:
Dennis Harting is the Head Coach at Your Rich Life. He is an acclaimed speaker, trainer, and best-selling author. His international best selling books include Your Easiest Million and The Ultimate Procrastination Handbook. His programs and more information can be found at http://www.yourrichlifeinc.com.

In my studies of human development, I found that procrastination destroys more things than any other single element. If this habit gets out of control, it ruins marriages, careers, relationships, and self worth. Over time, it has the capability to grow until it completely paralyzes an individual. The effect equally devastates the people doing the procrastinating and all others around them.

Everyone procrastinates to a certain degree. It is a natural human tendency to put some things off, especially those activities we deem negative. Where this habit becomes a problem is when it becomes the default mindset. As children, we are inclined to do things the moment that we think of them. The “do it now” mentality is prevalent. The concept of time is not well formed, thus the child lives completely in the moment. Of course, as we age, this all changes.

As we mature, we learn certain lessons. These lessons are taught in a variety of ways. However, the overall message is that responsible people do a lot of things they do not enjoy. To show us how this work, most of us are given chores to do while growing up. Tasks such as mowing the lawn, taking out the garbage, setting the table, and doing the dishes suddenly are assigned to us. Naturally, the desire to go out and play is stronger than the will to do these things. The reason is playing is fun while chores are not. It is in this way that many of us encounter our first opportunity to procrastinate,

Obviously there is a vast difference between putting off the mowing of the lawn and not paying the electric bill. Yet, when we follow the progression of this deadly habit, we clearly see how one arrives at this destination. We simply do not start out as procrastinators. However, as the unenviable tasks that require our attention mount in our lives, we begin to put more and more off. It starts with the lawn. From there we develop the practice of leaving our school assignments until the night before they are due. This action is duplicated when given a project in the workplace. Some of us even revel in the reputation that we gain as being able to complete things at the last moment. Unfortunately, many of us realize that procrastination creates a great deal of stress in our lives.

Procrastination is a habit. Like all other habits, it becomes ingrained in us over time. The more we engage in it, the deeper it spreads it roots. It is not uncommon for procrastination to completely dominate someones thought process. Instead of having a do it now mentality, the default mindset is to put the activity off. “Later” and “tomorrow” are commonly uttered responses when questioned about the task being avoided.

There are two factors that drive us to procrastinate. When simple activities are put off, laziness is the motivator. Basically, we do not want to do it. We can complete the tasks with ease yet just cannot seem to motivate ourselves to do it. Fortunately, this is usually a short lived situation. Once the motivation to act returns, the activity is quickly completed.

The other motivator is fear. Most situations where procrastination is present is based out of this emotion. When confronted with a task, we project into the future negatively. Our mind focuses upon how everything will not work out for us. This creates a degree of fear. When it is great enough, we start to put the action off. This will occur until the pain of putting it off is greater than the pain associated with taking the action.

Repeating this scenario is what causes us to be paralyzed by procrastination. At first, only the most difficult of tasks are avoided. However, as the habit develops, we default to the idea of putting things off. When this point is reached, the individual is most likely unaware of the severity of the procrastination. It is operating at a subconscious level. The result is the inability to take the action necessary to move forward. While this persists, the quality of life decreases as all areas become infected with this tendency.

Awareness is the beginning of the overcoming of this tragic habit. Monitor those areas where you have a tendency to procrastinate to bring a level of consciousness to your shortcomings, Then take action to complete the task in spite of what your mind is telling you. It is the key to success.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/procrastination-the-silent-killer-202615.html

About the Author:
Dennis Harting is the Head Coach at Your Rich Life. He is an acclaimed speaker, trainer, and best-selling author. His international best selling books include Your Easiest Million and The Ultimate Procrastination Handbook. His programs and more information can be found at http://www.yourrichlifeinc.com.

A great writer, perhaps Thoreau, once said that many people were ‘living lives of quiet desperation’. If only it were that simple! His familiar saying implies that some people, perhaps a lot of them, are unhappy with the way their lives are now and want to change things for the better. I think it’s worse than that. While they may look in the mirror and don’t like what they see; while they may get up in the morning and don’t like the work they have to go to; while they see rich and successful people on their TV, in their newspapers, and in magazines; they don’t just feel unhappy and unfulfilled. They also console themselves with daydreams about how they could be there too, out there, where they want to be.

What’s wrong with that? Only one thing. It means you’re leading a ‘double life’. Just as ‘mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent’ was the alter ego of Superman, so there are plenty of other ’secret identities’, in every office, every factory, every workplace. While they may seem harmless enough, and are going about their daily lives in a humdrum way, you might just catch them once in a while, staring out of the window and dreaming of how things could be, given – well, whatever you think is going to save you, a win on the Lottery perhaps, or just ‘being ‘discovered’ by that talent scout, the photographer, that agent, whatever. Eric Berne, the man who invented ‘Games People Play’ back in the ’60s, called it ‘Waiting for Santa Claus’, and you can see what he means. There you are, where you don’t want to be, hoping against hope that one day you’ll be ‘rescued’ and off you go, to a new and better life.

The main problem, of course, is that all this fantasizing takes up a lot of energy. It means you don’t have a lot left for the roles you need to be playing – breadwinner, spouse, parent. When you should be here, doing those things, you’re actually off in your head, somewhere else entirely, maybe the future, or some idealized present, where everything is not as it is, but is as you feel it should be for you. There’s only one answer to this dilemma, and it isn’t pleasant. It’s to make a choice. Some times – rarely – people do just that, and we sometimes hear about the accountant who runs off to the South Seas to become a painter, or the loyal husband who disappears one day and turns up years later as a beach bum and surfer. It happens. For the majority, it doesn’t. And why should it? Most people aren’t very good at making decisions, and it’s bound to be worse, far worse, if they are life-changing decisions. No, that’s the whole reason the dilemma is created in the first place. Rather than solve the problem, square the circle, cut the knot, most people are happier putting up with the inconvenience of not being a ’star’. They live an ordinary life and console themselves with dreams of stardom. For most of us, that compromise is all we are capable of. It means that we are, in a very real sense, TWO people, but that’s a small price to pay for not ‘rocking the boat’, ‘causing a fuss’, or making problems for those around us.

In fact, I’d say we mostly like the fact that we can adapt ourselves to lead these double lives, even if it means filling our days with contradictions. Take the case of a co-worker I once knew who was so ‘conscientious’ that she would drag herself into work even when she was feeling really ill. That’s admirable, except for the colds and flu she spread around to all her fellow workers, causing them time off work. If she had been as caring as she pretended, she would have thought of them, put them first, and stayed away herself. No, far better for her, she thought, to prove how ‘loyal’ she was to the company by being there, even if it put everyone else into their sick beds.

She had another trait, and this was a really strange thing. The woman was so bound up with her fast-paced, stressful job that she kept saying that she ‘deserved’ expensive holidays. More than that, she used to save up all her overtime and time owing (that she got for working late and doing unpaid overtime), then she would book three, maybe four weeks, in a far-off exotic location like Goa or Ghana. How could she do that? How did she imagine that people would manage without her while she was abroad for so long? In fact, it didn’t occur to her that it was a problem. She had one set of rules for illness and another set covered holidays. One break from work was allowed (for holidays), one wasn’t (for being ill). Talking to her, it was like talking to two people with two sets of priorities. Later, I came to see that such contradictions aren’t uncommon.

Basically, because facing the problem, tackling it, even moving on and resolving it, probably takes more energy than just letting it ride. More than that, we get used to the idea of having opposing views and values in every part of our lives. How many people really value their health but can’t give up smoking? How many run to the gym for much needed exercise, then reward themselves with chocolates and candies, thus forcing themselves back for another bout of exercise? And don’t even mention politics! The answer, in every case, is firstly to admit what is there. Don’t pretend there isn’t a dilemma. Own up and own it. Secondly, think through the consequences. If you want to be an actor could you accept the disappointment of losing auditions? If you want to be a rock star could you face the months away from home on tour? If you’re aiming to be a sports hero could you manage the practice? Third, make a decision. If you truly, deeply want whatever it is your heart craves, then there’s only one thing for it. You’re going to have to start making changes. If you can’t accept that, then things really aren’t going to improve that much, and you’re either going to have to accept the mundane way of things, or else accept that your dreams are simply that – daydreams.

On the other hand, all great people started with dreams. They all spent time where you are now, thinking about a better future. So what makes them different? It could be lots of things, but one thing is certain. At some point, on some day, at a particular minute, they made a decision to put things into motion, and make their plans into a new reality for them. Dare you follow their lead? All you have to do is ditch the ’secret identity’, put on the cape and tights, and – fly.

Article by Mike Scantlebury
Mike Scantlebury is an Internet Author. He has novels, stories and self-help material on the web, on his many web sites and other peoples. You can get to know what life is like in Manchester, England now, home of the greatest soccer team in the world and home town of that enigmatic singer, Morrisey. Find out more by logging on and following the links at http://www.mikescantlebury.com

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