Become Your Own Motivation Guru

What do you do when you know what you need to do, but you don't want to do it? If you're like most people, you find yourself doing EVERYTHING ELSE but what you should be doing (often with a deadline looming). Your "get up and go" got up and went-and didn't even say goodbye.

This type of situation can wreak havoc when you have a jam-packed schedule and especially when you're running your own business. It's up to you-the entrepreneur wearing enough hats already-to also become your company's motivation guru. Here's how.

Get some answers.
You need to find out what would make doing the job at hand desirable, worthwhile, possible and/or intriguing enough to get you to do it. Ask yourself these questions:

What you want to do now?
You may be willing to do a task later; you just don't want to do it at this moment.

When would you be willing to do it?
If you answered something like "February 2010" or "Never", you may want to follow up with the next question.

Do you still want the task to be done?
Will the result be worth the effort? Does it really need to be done? Maybe your delay is signifying that it's not really necessary.

Are you willing to live with the consequences of not doing it?
Sometimes you have to say no in order to open yourself up to new opportunities. Is this the case?

What would you be willing to do?
There might be a "fun"or "easy" part of a project that you may enjoy doing. Once you get started you may find that's all it takes to get you motivated enough to complete it.

Is there another way to get the work done?
You can always arrange for someone else to do it. Be aware that you may have to pay that someone else unless they're a close relative or good friend. And even then...price might be steep.

How will you feel once the task is done?
Sometimes the prospect or visualization of getting it over with will activate you. I often give myself a little non-edible treat-like reading a long-anticipated book, buying a new much-needed item or simply taking a leisurely cat nap-when I complete projects. .

Why don't you want to do it?
You can always alter aspects of what needs to be done or perhaps change your routine to make the task more appealing.

How long would you be willing to do the task?
Sometimes doing a little at a time helps a lot. You can also see how you're progressing-that's motivation right there!

Just get up and do it already!
There are a number of ways that you can get out of the doldrums and stay on top of your game. The following methods are used by many highly successful entrepreneurs and business professionals from all fields (and by yours truly).

Surround Yourself with Positive Energy and Attitudes by acquiring and connecting with colleagues and friends who have similar interests and/or challenges. If there are none in your immediate area, network via the Internet through associations and other great groups.

Give Yourself a Break to refresh and recharge your energy. You work hard enough, so when you're feeling tapped out, tap into something completely unrelated to the job at hand. Play with your kids or pets, meditate, take a walk or pick up the phone and call a friend. It's imperative that you take the time to relax because being under pressure is just part of the life of an entrepreneur. I often use the visualization concept and imagine I'm in a five-star hotel being waited on hand and foot.

Play Some Great Tunes and get caught up in the good feelings they bring. A favorite work motivator across all industries is music. I even play certain types for each day of the week and often work in tune to the song!

Feel ready to take on the world or just the top item on your to-do list? Using these methods may help you find the drive you need when you need it-and your ability to get the job done may be just the motivation you need to take your business to the next level.

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