When you're leading others, you must find a way to motivate them. One of my favorite axioms is "People act in their own selfish interest and that's ok. The art of motivation is making their perceived self-interest the same as yours". Well, that's all well and good, but what if you aren't leading people? What if the only person you're trying to motivate is yourself?
While all of us suffer from a lack of productivity from time to time, it is the small business owner who seems to suffer most often. The small business person (for the purpose of this article, we will use the pronoun 'he' - no emails please about gender stereotypes - I'm just trying to save keystrokes). Now where was I? Oh yeah, the small business person is challenged to wear many hats. He is the marketing genius, the savvy salesman, the promoter, the bookkeeper, the secretary, the publicist, the manager, the leader, the baker and the candlestick maker. And each and every day he must maintain his enthusiasm, nurture his spirit, sustain his initiative, work well without supervision AND stay motivated. Whew. It makes me tired just thinking about it.
Let's put it this way: It's wonderful not to have to answer to anyone but yourself. On the other hand, with no one to hold you accountable, you could find yourself floating in the pool one too many days in a row when you should be doing something to grow your business (of course I wouldn't know anything about that personally, ahem).
So how does one stay motivated when your neck aches from the tower of hats upon your head? Well we found a great solution. Last January one of my very best friends and I started a Goals Group. We invited two other companies to join and the four of us meet each and every Monday at 8:30 am for an hour to an hour and a half. The purpose of the Goals Group is to brainstorm, share ideas, and list our short term and long term business objectives. We hold each other accountable in a confidential and non-judgmental environment.
Just voicing your goals out loud or in writing is enough to make them legitimate. Telling someone else about them and knowing they will ask whether or not you accomplished them is a strong motivator for getting your butt in gear (and avoiding the pool raft). Furthermore, by sharing our goals, we seem to set in motion the manifestation of prosperity that only occurs when you put positive energy, thoughts and beliefs into the Universe.
Our Goals Group has been a phenomenal success! Each company has achieved growth and results none of us thought were possible in such a short timeframe. We all have different companies, with different products or services and all are in varying stages - one just starting out, one starting over, two in-between Phase III & Phase IV (If you don't know them, the basic Phases for building a business are listed at the end of this blog).
We are all committed to the Goals Group and almost nothing interferes with it. We have it every week and with very few exceptions, everyone has attended each and every meeting since its inception. And as a result of this Goals Group, the four of us have built a bond usually only found in foxholes (our esteemed veteran friends will understand). When one of us is down, the other three lift us up. When one of us is facing a specific challenge, the other three offer suggestions and options for resolution. Together we are evolving.
Without a doubt, the Goals Group is the single best thing we've done for our companies and ourselves and I highly recommend it as a means toward self-motivation. In fact, it is so valuable, that none of us ever accept a conflicting appointment. The Goals Group comes first because we know it kicks our week into high gear.
Henry Ford said: "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success."
If you'd like to start your own Goals Group, please send me an email and I will happily reply with the guidelines we use. Even if you don't own your own business, you might find a Goals Group helpful for things like creating a healthier lifestyle, weight management issues, child rearing challenges, etc. It is a comfort to share with people who can directly relate to the conundrums you face. It is rewarding to know there is a non-judgmental and confidential environment in which to discuss your business affairs. And it is a great way to maintain your motivation. In fact, if you are properly motivated, your productivity increases which then leaves plenty of time for guilt-free pool floating.
Leslie Spoor is the Founder and President of Executive Errands, a Personal Concierge Service. Executive Errands services the California communities of Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, La Quinta, Bermuda Dunes and Indio. In addition to Executive Errands, Ms. Spoor uses her 10 years of business consulting experience to mentor small business owners and is a strong advocate for the power of positive thought and the Laws of Attraction philosophy. For more information about Executive Errands, visit http://www.executive-errands.com
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