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



Top Strategy #3: Going the Distance One Baby Step at a Time.

One of the top reasons that people do not attain their desired results is that they become completely overwhelmed by the magnitude of the dream/gaol itself. This is especially true of big, bold, long-term goals with big, wonderful outcomes.

The most effective solution to this challenge is to break down the big goal or results into tiny goals or steps. Then accomplishing the single step becomes the goal or the desired result for any given day, and the feeling of impossibility subtly fades away. Meanwhile, every little step is moving you closer to the attainment of the ultimate goal and dream you desire.  How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

Let’s go back to weight loss. It can be overwhelming to think about losing a lot of weight. “How will I ever do that? It’s impossible? Why even try?” This is the negative self-talk that should be your trigger to "break it down" into small, attainable actions--itsy, bitsy baby steps!

Let's say you have to lose 25 lb., let's break it down into the weight you want to lose every week, realistically and healthily, then all of a sudden it is manageable. So, let’s say that to be healthy you desire to lose 1–2 pounds a week. Now that is doable. That is a goal you can accomplish in 12 weeks if you're dedicated. And that will move you forward. Doing this process with any goal is the key to its attainment. 

So get started breaking down each of your selected dream goals into steps. And put in every step, no matter how small. Then start to review those steps as the active goal of the moment. Ahh…doesn’t that feel better?

Tune in tomorrow for Top Strategy #4: Collecting the Tools and Resources You Need for Dream Attainment.

Cheers,

Kathleen

Strategy 1 of 7: Awaken Your Inner Dream Genie Before She Turns to Dust!

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

To be able to realize a dream, you must be able to imagine it.  You must be able to see it happening so clearly, just as you imagined yourself flying to the moon when you were five years-old.  This may seem simple. But as adults, our dream machines are rusty.  Starting them up again can be a slow process. But it is critical to believing, once again, that anything, ANYTHING, is possible.

The first step to building up your atrophied dream muscles is to make a new dream list. OK, hear me here.  This is a “no-holds-barred, cut-loose, anything you could possibly want” dream list.  It’s fine to have things like a new car, or new carpeting. But, I really implore you to think like your inner five-year old.  I want YOU to want it all! Then write it down.  Allow yourself the pleasure of extravagant desires.  Allow yourself the gift of imagining life without any obstacles, barriers or real-world limitations.

It is only by allowing yourself to fully dream again, that you will stumble across the lost dreams of your passion, or your inner longings and true purpose.  If you do not allow yourself this luxury, you may ultimately find that you are aiming at dreams that are imposed on you by another … and that don’t truly belong to you at all.

Here are just a few things that are on my dream list: 

·         Have a full-time housekeeper, cook and gardener

·         Have a driver to take me everywhere I need to go

·         Travel to four exotic destinations a year, once every quarter

·         Reach and impact 1 million women in a positive way

Now, it’s your turn.  Get out the paper … get pretty paper or fun paper and a great pen.  Then just write whatever comes into your mind … reach high, reach wide, reach for everything you ever imagined. I want BIG, BOLD, AUDACIOUS DREAMS HERE PEOPLE!

Please let me know all the new dreams that you awaken!  Tomorrow, we’ll be exploring how to take those dreams and put them into a master goal list!  Boy, this is going to be fun!

TUNE IN TOMORROW: Monday, January 3, 2011 FOR:

Top Strategy #2:  Are You the Master of Your Goals OR Are You Executing Someone Else’s?

See you then!

Kathleen

’Tis the Season…Or is it?

Every year we anticipate the holidays.  Some of us bask in the glow of our Christmas cheer and the love of family and friends, and thrive on the chaos of shopping, decorating and penning cards in our most careful hand.

For many others, holidays arrive along with acute anxiety, feelings of isolation, and sadness over the loss of more joyful times when perhaps their family was closer, their finances were more bountiful, or their time was more fluid.

As someone who has vacillated between extreme joy and extreme anxiety, I have worked to arrive at a sacred place during this special time, and make it hold the promise that I have developed in a new belief, rather than what the world, with all its advertising and media, would portray it as for us.  And let’s be frank, not many of our holidays look, feel, or even come close to what’s represented by advertisers every minute of every day as they push their products and the impending joy that awaits us.

If you have sad or anxious feelings surrounding your holiday, I invite you to explore a new approach, one that has worked for me and that I share with you now.

1.   Erase from your mind all the images you’ve been programmed to believe your holiday should look like.  This is not easy.  Imagine erasing a chalkboard upon which all holiday hoopla is depicted.

2.   Now, close your eyes and think of the activities and feelings you…the real you…wants to associate with this time.

3.   Make a list of your favorite things…write them down. Now plan out your holidays.

Many years ago, when I was newly divorced and my eldest daughter was toggling between her father and his family, me, and her friends, I found myself alone.  I found my holiday season feeling empty.  Although I had many friends, I did not want to impose on them.  I’m a big girl after all.  So, I decided I was going to make my own holiday my way.

I got back in touch with what Christmas meant to me.  I reminded myself that it was the celebration of my faith.  I then decided I would spend time doing the things I loved, and relish the quiet time I had, to enjoy the feelings of wonderment that once blinded me with brilliant miracles. 

I went Christmas caroling with my church…visiting the retirement homes and shut-ins.  I quietly wrapped presents for those I loved to the joyful noise of my most beloved holiday music.  On Christmas Eve day, I went to church in the morning and sang my heart out with my church family.  Afterwards, I headed to the mall, not to shop, but to sit quietly in the movie theatre to see the newly released “The Nativity.”  Arriving home I was filled with joy and peace.  It was simple, directed and fulfilling. 

That night I had my sister and her husband for a simple little dinner and went to our Christmas service.  When I drove home, the snow was glistening on the hills, the carols played joyfully on the radio enveloping me, and the lights at home were on, burning bright. 

I had put myself back into the true season of love and peace. It was one of the most blessed, joyful and happy holidays I had experienced in years, and only because I had decided to create a holiday of my own design, filled with deep reflection, gratitude, and only those activities that fed my soul.

It is my deepest hope that something within my personal story may help any of the souls struggling to fill the holiday void created by world-defined expectations.  May you find your own definition of the season and fill it with what makes you truly happy.

God Bless!

Kathleen