Remember back to the start of the year? You resolved to make 2013 your best year yet. Yet one month on it’s tougher than you thought. So how do you keep motivated in order to achieve those demanding goals you set yourself?
My own experiences of trying to keep motivated relate to both training as an athlete and being in the Arctic environment. Having completed major expeditions to the North Pole, Antarctica and Greenland, I have faced many challenges in just surviving day after day. But regardless of whether you are in the Arctic or leading a business, here are some actions that I recommend:
Create a compelling vision Write a description of what success will be like for you and your business at a specified time in the future. What will you see, hear and experience at that time? Think about creating a desirable outcome that compels you and your staff to take action. Will your team be creating new products, reducing costs, or getting great feedback from clients about how happy they are with your product or service? The vision you create must motivate you and your team to get out of bed in the morning and give of their best.
Become aware of what you focus on. It’s important to remember to focus on what you can control, rather than what you cannot. All too often we spend too much time and energy focusing on the things that frustrate us and we can do nothing about rather than the things that give us pleasure.
Get support from key people. It’s easier to keep focused if others are aware of what you are trying to do. From the board members to your partner at home don’t forget to communicate your intentions to those that matter. They can often provide support when it’s most needed.
Be prepared to adapt The factors outside your control often mean that you have to adapt your plans. Out of every disappointment you can find an opportunity. A client recently postponed a coaching session at the last minute, so I had some free time in my diary. I got a call from an acquaintance inviting me to a networking event that evening so I went along instead and met someone who has now become my biggest client.
