How to find success and motivation

Let's get one thing straight, without goals in life you're going nowhere fast! It's like driving to a new destination without a map, you might still get there, but your changes are much improved if you have "road map" to show your actual progress, right? I'm trying to make sense here, just nod your head...Anyway, here are some thoughts on my goals.

My major goal right now is to make enough money at my business to leave my full-time job, and I have other peripheral goals as well. Do they stay static? No, as I contemplate each goal and work on them, strange things happen sometimes. Like I may be reading a new book that points to a specific way of reaching people, or getting more people to link to my site, or a new marketing plan of some kind. All of sudden I'm changing things on my website, my blog, and in my plan of action. Is that a good thing? I think so, absolutely. If you have a specific list of action items in your plan, and all of a sudden you realize you can cut out several steps or add new ones, why not do it? Of course that's only logical. Just a tweak here and there, as they say.

OK, in another way, how about if something on your goals list is suddenly not so important anymore? I don't know about you, but I sometimes have these revelations where this giant light bulb goes off. Suddenly you're thinking, "what was I thinking? I don't need to have that"! Strike it from the list, pronto. Is this a major change in beliefs, or values, or a paradigm shift in your life pattern? No, probably not. Reevaluating is a regular routine, I think we all do it. It's a growth process, if you will. And after all this is about growth, isn't it? If you're learning something new every day, your subconscious is probably doing some reevaluating for you even if you're not aware of it. Isn't that how it works? We make our list of goals, strike out to pursue them, and in the process end up with something slightly different after the process is in motion.

The flip side of this, is when some folks change their minds like the wind. This is something totally different! If you completely change your major goals on a regular basis, maybe that's because you haven't really given them enough thought to begin with. I know some people that go to college, take a year or two of "general" courses, then change their major. That can be a good thing, especially with the amount of money you are investing in it. But if you can't quite figure out what you really want to do with your life, even a direction to get started, then by all means take some serious soul-searching time and find out. Lock yourself away in a cabin in the woods for a few days, get away from everybody that may influence your decision. No one can help you with this one, it's all you! It sounds amazing, but I think many people truly don't know what would make them happy. That's why sitting down, making a list, and even recreating that list every few days, is a great idea. I like to review my list occasionally, and sometimes a change is necessary. That reminds me, I think I need to check my list later. It's been awhile...how about you? If you don't even have one, just for kicks sit down and make one. You may be shocked at how little your brain really knows what you want in life!

What I need is a way to get "super-motivated", so I came up with a list of ways to really pile on the motivation. I came up with 10 pretty good ones, most of which I already was utilizing at least some of the time. Let me know if you have some more, I'm always trying to extend this list!

#1 - Change your routine - wake up earlier and be more productive. I usually try to get up at least one hour before l must leave for work, in order to do some quick exercises, go over my plan for the day, and make sure I'm ready to rock n' roll first thing. I like to change this routine occasionally, so I don't get in a rut. Even making an extra 20-25 minutes to prepare can leave you in a better mood to start the day.

#2 - Listen to motivational audio on the way to work. Or, if you work at home as I do sometimes, listen as you get ready to work. There are many motivational CD recordings out there, I use ones from Brian Tracy, Tony Robbins, or Bob Proctor, but there are many good ones out there.

#3 - List to inspirational music! I don't know about you, but nothing gets my blood pumping faster than great music that I love, such as some good Eric Clapton, Green Day, or other hard rock. But anything you have an emotional connection with will work, it's like magic to pick up your mood.

#4 - Utilize self-talk or affirmations. I do a whole list of affirmations in the mornings, and usually at night as well. But any kind of positive self-talk can really motivate you if used correctly, it's what you say to yourself that makes the difference.

#5 - Stay away from negative people. This may sound kind of cruel or unkind, but hey, let's be honest. If you any friends that are really bringing you down, you must either let them know about it and hope they change, or stay away. Life is too short to hang around negative people, and don't' think it won't affect you because eventually it will!

#6 - Take a positive action. Think about what you have been meaning to start, or stop recently. Something you have been putting off, maybe? Take that trip to the gym, start that new diet, finish that book you started 6 months ago, anything really. Just taking a positive direction towards something makes you feel more in control of things, which boosts your self-confidence and self-esteem.

#7 - Start an exercise routine. Ok, I kind of covered this in the last point but it's really important. This is critical to your physical and mental health, exercise is not an option it is a mandate. If you exercise regularly you will automatically add many years to your life and improve your outlook on life.

#8 - Try zero-based thinking. This is a simple but powerful concept to change your thought process. Is there anything in your life that you would stop doing, looking at the big picture? If you had to go back and do it again, would you? This can apply to a business, a hobby, a girlfriend/boyfriend, a choice you made on something that takes your time and energy. If you wouldn't do it again, stop doing it now!

#9 - Reevaluate your schedule. Take a serious look at every little thing you do every day for a week. Are you wasting a significant amount of time doing something of little value? Either eliminate if from your life, or drastically cut down on this task or habit. Sometimes just rearranging your schedule can save you time as well, such as doing a "high-value" task early in the day while you're wide awake and full of energy instead of after lunch when you're tired.

#10 - Reward yourself. Sometimes it really helps to reward yourself after making a great effort. Why? Because psychologically a reward gives us a boost of pleasure after something that takes extra effort, which will encourage us to do it again. Sounds like "psyching" yourself out, right? Yes, you can fool yourself, although don't take it to extremes or you will be doing more rewarding than working on moving forward.

These are just a few suggestions, I'm sure you can get creative and think of more. In fact I would encourage it! The more you can get in the habit of boosting your motivation, the more you will accomplish. In turn, you will boost your confidence in reaching the goals you have set for yourself and move faster and farther than you ever thought possible!