Get motivated!

Nothing fuels performance as much as motivation.

Otherwise poor performers shine when motivated. It could be from an external force or can be purely self driven. Motivation comes from drive and attitude and positive self-talk. Auto suggestions work like magic. Talk to yourself about how you need to achieve more, polish your skills, rise and shine.

Self-belief it itself a great motivator. But, you must do it everyday. Slowly, it naturally merges into your mental architecture. There is nothing as powerful as self-motivation. But to do that one must get ready to get out of our comfort zones, explore and maybe, even fail. Drop the fears that crop up when you do this as that works against motivation.

It is a good idea to write down your goal so that you fix focus. Keep it with you. Look at it daily. It gets embedded into your sub-consciousness and starts working towards making it happen. You may not even realise how your mind subtly plots to draw the path ahead. Never underestimate the power of an idea. It is ideas that germinate into realities if you are determined to make it happen.

Today, many employers try to use fear to motivate their employees. It may get them short-term gains, but it is counterproductive as in the long term, its negative spin offs affect performance and reputation. Workers lose the passion and joy that work could bring. It also destroys creativity and positive attitudes towards work that is crucial to carry it to the next level of growth.

External motivation in the form of incentives, bonuses, commission and recognition can also work. But these work only as long as the incentive is there.

That is why internal motivation works best as it comes from within-such as pride, a sense of achievement, responsibility and belief. Internal motivation is lasting because it is real and genuine. Recognition of your goal and responsibility to carry it out is what works as the best motivator.

Watch out for de-motivation signs. It usually starts rearing its head when you encounter unfair criticism, public humiliation, non-performers being rewarded, fear or failure, lack of direction, office politics and negative self-talk. Tackle them head on so that your self-esteem is intact and confidence does not sag. Rewrite negative scripts in your head.

You can also motivate others by giving them recognition, making work interesting, being a good listener, encouraging goal setting, providing opportunities, creating challenges and helping others. Use motivation to ignite a new drive in your life. Discover a new you.