Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley
A reader emailed me with this question: "I was in an
interview, and was asked this question: How do you motivate
yourself? I could barely answer the question. What would
you suggest?"
This is a great question that deserves a great answer.
After managing dozens of employees over the years, I can
tell you not what I think, but what I know.
First, employees who do well and then lack motivation
generally have a change of attitude. What is more important
than what caused the change in attitude is recognizing that
there has been a change in attitude.
Knowing this is important because attitude drives
personality. A person with a good attitude generally has a
good personality. A person with a bad attitude generally
has a bad personality.
You can change your attitude just as you change your
employer, but if it means giving up a good salary and
benefit package, why bother looking for another job when it
is easier for you to change yourself?
Second, your change in motivation and energy level is
almost always tied to your exercise or lack of exercise. A
program of sustained exercise is not only a tremendous
"stress buster" but also provides you with more energy,
more motivation, better health, better decision-making
skills and a better attitude.
So when you feel your motivation is on the wane, start an
exercise program or return to exercising as a way to
improve your motivation. Exercise pumps more oxygen into
your bloodstream, clears your mind, improves your
self-image, increases your self-confidence and increases
your energy level.
Third, learn to live with gratitude. When you lack
motivation, remind yourself that there are many people who
cannot find work to support their family, others who may
not make the kind of money you are making, or have the kind
of opportunities you have for advancement through
production. Be thankful for everything good in your life.
Be thankful for your health, your family, your friends and
your employer who helps you generate income to support
yourself and your family. We can make choices while those
who are physically, mentally or emotionally challenged are
less able to make the same choices. Perhaps the only thing
worse than an ingrate is a capable person too lazy to work.
It was Abraham Lincoln who said "People are about as happy
as they make up their minds to be." Williams James said
"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human
being can alter their life by altering their attitude."
Both statements show great insight and reflect truth that
is beyond refute.
Fourth, learn to laugh at yourself and with others. Do not
take yourself too seriously. Researchers have shown that
people who cannot cope with their situation generally have
low self-esteem, live in the past and cannot laugh at
themselves. Laughter makes almost every situation better.
Laughter can keep you going, keep your healthy and keep you
motivated.
Finally, realize that motivation is an "inside" job. If you
continually need your co-workers and boss to keep you
motivated, you are seriously not in charge of yourself or
your destiny.
This is why motivation by intimation or reward for effort
by your superiors cannot last. We will not tolerate
intimation forever, and the rewards for production must
continually increase to keep the production increasing,
thereby increasing the cost until it exceeds the benefit to
the employer.
The smartest, most successful employees motivate themselves
and keep themselves motivated with exercise, gratitude and
laughter.
----------------------------------------------------
Read my 4-part series on Job Interviews: "It Is Not What
You Say, But How You Say It That Counts - Part 1", "How to
Answer When Asked Your Strengths and Weaknesses - Part 2",
"How to Handle Job References - Part 3" and "What Do
Employers Really Want When Hiring? - Part 4".
Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/JobsandCareers.html
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