How to Motivate Myself and Others

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

How to Motivate Myself and Others

Leadership training is always partly to do with motivation.

All leaders need to develop the skill of motivation.

Motivation is a specific emotion. All emotions are a product of thought, because whatever you think about causes an emotion.

Emotions are NOT CAUSED by external facts. It is internal thoughts that is the cause of an emotion. Facts don't cause feelings.

The true cause of feelings are your thoughts:

• If your thoughts are positive, then your emotions will be positive.
• If your thoughts are negative, then your emotions will be negative.
• You feel whatever you think about.

If you want other people to feel positive, then you need to influence their mind to think about something positive.

And as a leader, you need to know how you can make the other person think about things that will make them feel positive.

To make the other person think about things that will make them feel positive, ask them questions that will focus their mind onto the following four things:

1. Their goals. What they want for themselves and their family for the future.
2. Their plans on how to achieve their goals.
3. The action that they can do next.
4. How great it will be when they achieve their goal.

Learn the above list of question types. Memorise them well and then use this list as a guide to your conversations with others.

1. What do you want to achieve in the next (few months)?
2. What do you need to do to achieve your goal(s)?
3. What can you do today to take you one step closer to your goals?
4. How will you feel when you achieve your goal?

Keep repeating these questions; but use different words and phrases. These thoughts will trigger emotions of:

• Motivation.
• Desire.
• Excitement.
• Ambition.
• Enthusiasm.
• Confidence.
• Energy.
• Faith and hope.

At the same time, do not ask people questions about the following:

1. Don't ask them about all the bad things could happen in the future.
2. Don't ask them about the bad things that have already happened in the past.
3. Don't ask them about any negative gossip or office politics.

Too many conversations are about these three things.

1. The first induces fear or worry.
2. The second induces anger or upset.
3. The third induces nosiness and negativity.

Keep your conversation under control and focus the content of your conversations onto:

1. Goals for the future.
2. Plans on how to achieve the goals.
3. Actions that can be taken today.
4. How it will feel when we win.

Quiz: Are You a Positive Influence on Others?

Try our Positive Influence Quiz to discover if you have a positive influence on others.

Communication Skills Training

Communication Skills Training

Do you ever think to yourself, "I know what I mean, but I can't explain it"? You need to be able communicate facts, feelings, information and ideas, in a clear, professional and confident manner. If you want to learn more about our communication skills training, please click here.

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Further Reading in Motivation

• How to Overcome the Fear of Failure
  We all experience fear at some time in our lives. Some fears are necessary for our survival, but fear of failure can hold us back from achieving our full potential. Learning how to overcome this fear is key to your success.
  Read Article >
• Motivational Emotions
  Motivation comes in many forms: some positive and some negative. Which of these three motivational emotions do you think are the most effective: fear, anger or desire?
  Read Article >
• The Myth of Natural Talent
  Success is crafted through deliberate knowledge acquisition and rigorous practice, dispelling myths of innate talent. 'Sixth sense' stems from experience, not magic. Persevere through setbacks; quitting is the real failure.
  Read Article >
• Six Scientifically Proven Ways to Motivate People at Work
  Keeping staff motivated is important to keeping your business efficient and productive and to avoid high staff turnover. Make your organisation a place where people want to work with these proven ways to motivate people.
  Read Article >
• The Difference Between a Wish and a Goal
  Goals give you hope for the future, something to aim for. Wishes are not goals, they are fantasies, detached from reality. Do you know the difference?
  Read Article >

Looking for Leadership and Management Training?

If you're looking to develop your Motivation Skills, you may find this Leadership and Management Training Course beneficial:

Open Training Course Pricing and Availability

Next Open Course Starts in 8 days, Manchester City, places available Book Now >