Ever feel like you’re in the middle of a task, project or career that you can’t win, quit or fix?
Of course you do. We all feel like that once in a while.
But self-motivation is what truly separates high-performing professionals from everyone else.
Ayelet Fishbach is a behavioral science professor at the University of Chicago who has studied human motivation for 20 years. Here are her findings on the top tactics for maintaining forward progress.
Think goals, not chores. Just trying to doing better or your best doesn’t cut it. Specific, measurable and time-bound goals create focus and action. Get specific: 10 calls per day, 5 meetings per week, 2 new customers per month. Think expansively about what accomplishment means: showcasing your skills; growing a business; creating jobs.
Design meaningful rewards. Reward quality, not speed or quantity. Getting clients to buy once is fine, but repeat business is the best indicator of success. There’s a big difference in just getting things done and doing them well. Know the difference and reward it appropriately.
Sustain progress. Almost every goal starts with a burst of motivation and encounters a slump in the middle. Keep middle slumps to a minimum by creating small subgoals. Assess progress to date, but then think in terms of what’s left to reach the finish line.
Harness the influence and energy of others. Watch and learn from others as they accomplish their goals. Listen to what they say and use it to find extra inspiration. Seek out friends, family and mentors who understand your big picture goals and want to help you get there.
Struggling to achieve goals is natural. But understanding the tactics for creating your own flow can keep those struggles to a minimum.
Have a great week.
Sign up for The Sunday Snippet!
Good ideas to help you prosper delivered fresh each Sunday morning.