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Who is Responsible for your Motivation?
by Sue Miley
10 Ways to Keep Yourself Motivated
I attended a leadership summit this weekend and heard an excellent talk from Bill Hybels (Willow Creek Church) on “inspiration”. Motivated people perform better – he quoted up to 40% better. We see fewer absences, less theft and enhanced performance from motivated team members. One question he asked was, “So whose job is it to keep me, as a senior leader, motivated?” He proceeded to answer with the obvious, “Me”. I could have guessed that answer, but I was excited that he was able to communicate ten (10) ways to approach motivating ourselves. I tried to get everything down in my notes. Here are the ideas he provided:
1. Stay crystal clear about my calling from God. – Hybels basically said that when we are doing what God wants us to do we can do or withstand almost anything. If you do not know what God is calling you to do then it is your responsibility to seek God’s will. He offered that the best way to do that is to seek God, be with Him, listen and try things. He was adamant that this is not an hour or two exercise. We have to persevere until we are clear.
2. Make sure I am leveraging my spiritual gifts the way God gave them to me. If you don’t know these look on-line for a spiritual gifts inventory. Here is a web address for a pretty comprehensive FREE spiritual gifts inventory. http://www.fbchsv.org/ministries/discipleship/gifts_inventory.html
3. Make sure players on my teams are inspiring people. Get people around you that give you a positive emotional jolt when they walk into your office.
4. Read the type of books that personally inspire me. Bill Hybels said that biographies of real people accomplishing, overcoming and pursuing are inspirational to him. I also recommend downloading podcasts or sermons to listen to.
5. Rub shoulders with exceptionally inspiring people now and then. This one didn’t quite seem fair because Bill Hybels list includes authors, politicians, and other great leaders. But, even if they are not famous, we all have people we respect and find motivating.
6. Participate in events that are exceptionally inspiring events. For me, this leadership summit was one of these type of events. Next month I will attend the American Association of Christian Counselors Global Conference in Nashville. If we do these periodically we fill in an extra jolt of motivation between these other ideas Hybels has provided.
7. Pay attention to our physical disciplines i.e. diet, sleep, etc. He quoted that we have an approximate 20% increase in influence and achievement when we are taking care of our physical needs.
8. Pay attention to my work environment – our workspace can add or subtract from my motivation. He explained that we should have pictures, symbols or even words that inspire us. We spend a lot of time at work and if the environment is not comfortable to us it will be a de-motivator.
9. We need an inspiring activity outside of work. He likes to sail. He gave the example of Colin Powell who likes to work on cars. I like to paint.
10. Practice daily spiritual disciplines that keep my spirit fresh. These are things like prayer, journaling to God, read the bible, fasting, listen to music. These practices all give God an opportunity to speak to us. And what can be more inspirational than the Creator of the Universe have something to say specifically to us.
Why is it so important to motivate ourselves? That is easy. The most effective way to motivate others is to be a motivated leader. Who wants to follow someone who does not have energy and enthusiasm themselves? INSPIRATION IS CONTAGIOU. If you are a leader and you are not the most motivated person on your team, Hybels suggests you stop looking around for someone else to motivate you and get going on some of these ideas to inspire yourself! Inspiration will not only motivate those around you but it will have a momentum effect on You.
I hope this will provide an idea or two of how to get started. They say it can be lonely at the top, but don't forget we have Jesus as our companion, counselor and motivator. We all have access to the most exceptionally inspiring person who ever lived.
Sue J. Miley is a Life Coach and a Licensed Professional Counselor with twenty years of experience with starting businesses and divisions with an entrepreneurial approach. . If you enjoyed this article and are interested in more articles by this author and other free resources please visit our website www.crossroadcoach.com.
Counseling & Coaching Available: Call Sue J. Miley @ 225-252-2202.
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