Motivation is a complicated subject that is studied by many and understood by few. Virtually every aspect of human life, from the mundane to the life-changing, is guided, swayed and altered by motivating factors.

Motivation is important when exercising, eating healthy, building and maintaining relationships and so much more but today we are examing motivation when it is applied to business.

Motivation is one of the most powerful driving forces in the workplace. It can be the ultimate determining factor of success or failure.

Motivation stems from two sources. The first part of motivation is external or extrinsic, outside the person, sources. Other motivating factors come from internal forces, which are mainly your thoughts, patterns and collective experiences.

However, humans are unique, so what motivates one person will not motivate another. Only you can determine what works in your life.

Take the time to examine what internal and external factors are motivating you as a business owner. What can you do to enhance and refine your motivation to make yourself more productive and more fulfilled?

Keys to motivation:

1. Inspiration

Inspiration is critical to obtaining and maintaining motivation. If you are not interested in your business, your motivation level will never be high and you won't be able to sustain interest for very long.

On the flip side, if you are energized and excited about the work you are doing, you will have more persistence, energy and intensity and it will become palpable to your potential and current customers.

Evaluate your inspiration level. Is going to work an obligation or something you look forward to? Too many people choose a business that looks good on paper, but in reality won't keep their interest for long. These individuals will grow weary and uninterested quickly because they have no passion to sustain them during the difficult times they will inevitably encounter as a business owner.

If you don't really enjoy your work, then think how you can re-focus your small business to better match your needs or even consider making a change entirely. That's pretty drastic advice, but inspiration is that important.

2. Goals

Short and long-term goal setting is vital for any business owner. If you didn't set goals, you would be adrift with no charted course to follow.

How could you possibly be motivated if you were unsure about the direction your company needs to take?

Put your goals in writing. Most people are intimidated by the idea of writing a business plan but in all honesty it is really nothing more than goals, strategies, implementation and a budget. Write your own business plan and update it at least annually. Include smaller goals that can be accomplished in a matter of hours, days or weeks as well as the more ambitious larger goals that may take a year or more to complete. Refer to this plan often!

A business plan can help motivate you! Which brings us to the next subject of rewards.

3. Reward

While we have to work hard to have a successful business, all work and no play is NEVER a good thing! So I strongly suggest you break the goals down and with each small goal that you meet, match it with a reward of the same value. For example if you make a sales goal, take a friend out to dinner or go have a pedicure. For larger goals, take a trip. It doesn't have to be to an exotic destination, but can be! Remember these are your goals and your rewards, make them fit you!

4. Network

Networking with other small business owners can be very motivational. When a hill begins to feel like a mountain networking can help put and keep the challenges into perspective.

Isolation when working alone is of one the most difficult parts of being an entrepreneur. Make it easier on yourself by connecting with others either in your community or online. Even when businesses are not related, you will often find common ground and ways to work together.

A networking group can help its members generate more qualified sales leads and solve problems faster and more efficiently. Sharing ideas, expertise and experience is also an invaluable aspect of networking groups. And, don't forget about sharing costs, possibly by buying in bulk or with joint marketing projects.

Your own personal team of business owners will help re-energize you when the burdens of running your own business seem too much. With your networking team to rely on, you can accomplish more in a shorter time period and probably have more fun in the process.


5. Organize

Organization is critical to motivation. You cannot work efficiently or function effectively, let alone feel positive, when you can't find important papers or you are constantly late for meetings or to return calls. Your business will falter and your motivation will suffer.

If you are one of us who have problems getting organized on your own, consider bringing in someone -- a business friend, family member or professional -- to help you get the clutter and mess cleaned up. You will be amazed at how this one important step will help you get back on track.

The real challenge will be keeping yourself on track by maintaining the systems you set up while getting organized. It is a daily challenge but well worth the effort!

6. Motivational materials, speakers and workshops

There are so many different motivational gurus that it is often difficult to see through the clutter to find someone that makes sense for you -- someone who can get you "fired up" about working and improving your business.

Try talking to a mentor or networking group members to see who they might recommend. Do some research of your own to find authors and speakers that interest you. Too little time? Audio tapes/CDs that you can listen to in the car are very helpful as you travel. Check the local library, used book stores or online stores or trade with friends to save money.

Remember, however, that the best speaker in the world cannot force you to make the effort.
It is up to you to apply the information to your own life and business. Consistently use the motivational ideas over a period of time and you will begin to see results.

Got it? KEEP IT!

Motivation is what moves us forward Take the time to examine the factors that motivate you, from paying the bills and maintaining your current lifestyle or improving it and sending your kids to college and retiring! Revisit the ideas above regularly and come up with some ideas of your own that will help keep you motivated to SUCCEED!