The Art Of Self-Motivation

PART 1:  I want to share this story with you because it is SUCH A POWERFUL EXAMPLE of the art of self-motivation—motivation to achieve any personal goal you have set for yourself; and the critical necessity for having an important BIG WHY before you set out on any goal.  It is the combination of motivation, a determined mindset—and purpose, the emotional driver that is the key to achieving any goal you deem of value.

Back in January of this year, I participated in the Ultimate 31-Day Blog Challenge.  The challenge was to complete the writing and posting 31 blogs within the 31 days of January. Well, five days before the the final day of the challenge, January 31, I found myself just a tad behind--OK, maybe to some I was hopelessly behind. It's all in your perspective I suppose!

How could I possibly catch up at this point? And why should I try? Herein is the secret to achievement--and it's all about the power of inner motivations.

The difference between those who would be successful in completing the challenge, and those who would not, hinged on two critical elements: 1. each individual’s power of self-motivation and personal sense of accountability; 2. each individual’s “BIG WHY”—the important reason they established for wanting to compete and achieve the goal originally.

So, where was I in all this? Tired, torn, stressed! As the Challenge had begun, I started off strong, writing 8 blogs in 8 days. Wahoo! I was pumped. I patted myself on the back, boosting my confidence and self-esteem. Then…LIFE HAPPENED.

Then I missed Day 9. No big deal right? I could make that up. Then I missed a week. OK, that’s not so good. It would take some doing, but it was still fixable. Then I looked at my calendar…@#$%@!

Yes, to finish, I would have to write 23 blogs in five days.  And being a habitual over-achiever, they would need to be good, not just something slapped together. But how? I had so many other important demands to meet elsewhere. I felt pressured.

I HAD to get this done!

“Why?” my conscious mind retorted “There’s no consequence if you don’t. Take it off your list. You’ve got other important things to do. Let it go.”

“I can’t just let it go...” my inner voice replied…

TOMORROW...Part Two: The Art of Self-Motivation

Here's to your True success,

Kathleen Aston
Founder & Life-Fulfillment Strategist

Comlimentary 4-Part Video Training Series!
http://www.kathleenastonintl.com/ultimate-confidence.html



7 Top Strategies for Narrowing the Gap between Dreams and Reality

What you vividly imagine, ardently believe, sincerely desire, and enthusiastically act upon…must inevitably come to pass! --- Paul J. Meyer

Never have I found a statement to be quite as true as the above quote from success and transformation leader, Paul J. Meyer.  It four key elements of visualization, belief, desire and action are the quintessential components that drive the realms of one’s reality and dreams together, fusing them  forever and breathing life into the vapor of a thought that existed at one point as a mere fantasy of consciousness.

It is upon these magnificent four points of visualization, belief, desire and action that I have built these life-changing 7 Top Strategies for Narrowing the Gap between Dreams and Reality.  And over the course of the coming week, I will share with you an overview of each strategy on which you may reflect and digest as you make your passionate plans for your own dream fulfillment in 2011.

As children, we have absolutely no problem envisioning ourselves as Queen of the Castle.  As we bounce around on little feet, we are exuberant and alive with the many dreams we entertain hourly.  We believe, as we are often told, that we can become anything we want.  We are delighted when our parents and adult role models nod at our dreams of being an astronaut or rock star.  We are all in agreement, children and adults alike.

Then something happens.  We start to grow and suddenly our beliefs, that we can be anything, are passively resisted by the adults within our sphere of influence.  We hear phrases such as, “Well, you know, not many people who play music really get to be rock stars. That’s not real life, Sally.  It’s just nice to dream.”

The adult resistance to our higher ideals becomes more aggressive with every birthday that passes. Finally, with a sledgehammer it is hit home: dreams are just that--wild, fun, fantastic daydreams—and nothing more. We are told to be practical. To get our heads out of the clouds. To come back to earth.  And sadly, that is the beginning of the loss of our dream capabilities and our connection to and belief in what is truly possible.

TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR:

Top Strategy #1:  Reawaken Your Inner Dream Genie Before She Turns to Dust in the Bottle

See you then!

Kathleen