What Motivates You?

I was just sitting at my laptop, trying to decide which of the many things on my seemingly endless to-do list I should tackle first. My mind wandered to my tendency to procrastinate certain tasks, and why? Some items on my list jump out at me and I dive right in and get them finished, but others seem to linger there for weeks at a time.

Apparently I have somehow categorized my list, mentally, in order of priority, using criteria that are not obvious to me at the moment. Suddenly, I realize the importance of being aware of what motivates you. I’ve always been the kind of person with internal motivation, yet now I find myself neglecting the items on my list that are important only to me and my own business. I have no problems completing work for my clients well ahead of schedule. To me, that sounds like external motivation.

So what is it that motivates you? Learning what motivates you to take action can be hugely helpful when you’re trying to reach a goal. Does money motivate you? Opportunity? Prestige? The simple fact that you don’t like lingering items on your to-do list? You want free time with no obligations hanging over your head? You don’t like to fail?

Whatever it is that motivates you, try to pinpoint exactly what it is. Then try to manipulate situations so that your motivating force is present and can help you reach your goals. If you’re motivated by having to answer to another person, let someone else in on your plans and ask them to hold you accountable. If you’re motivated by opportunity, set a goal to find a new opportunity – there are plenty around for the taking, despite what the media might have you believe. The best opportunities are those that are created out of a challenge.

What motivates you into action? I’d like to hear your ideas.

Take Calculated Risks for Growth

As a business owner, you’ve already had experience with taking risks. Starting a business is always a risk, because there’s no guarantee your business won’t fail. Even if you’ve been in business for awhile, you have to make an effort not to fall into the “play it safe” trap that we all get sucked into every now and then.

Playing it safe might seem like a good strategy, but if you really want your business to grow, you’ll have to learn to take calculated risks. There’s no need for you to have to shoot blindly in the dark, although for some, that’s their style, and that’s okay too. But if you learn to take calculated risks, you can minimize your chance of failing while still taking advantage of great opportunities.

So if presented with an opportunity, playing it totally safe might mean you’re missing a chance to achieve something really big. Evaluate your options and determine ways that you can still take advantage of an opportunity that has come your way while minimizing your risk. Analyze your worst-case scenario, and develop a plan to overcome that obstacle if the worst-case scenario were to become reality.

Sometimes the greatest opportunities come with the biggest amount of risk. While betting your last dollar might not be the best idea, there are smaller risks that you can take that will help your business grow. You’ll win some, and you’ll lose some, but you will most certainly achieve long-term growth. Best of all, you’ll become a stronger person for learning to overcome your fears and your obstacles.