Elizabeth's For the Love of Life Blog

Tackling your procrastination gremlins

If there’s one thing I know for sure from my work and my own personal challenges, it is that the closer we get to realising what our hearts calling is; the closer we get to realising what it is that could liberate us from playing small; the closer we get to really making a significant difference to others in the world and contributing to something that is more worthy of us than our current daily grind...the higher the level of resistance we experience and the bigger the fear!

I’ve known this to be true for some time. I experience it often in my coaching work. In fact it’s one of the hall-markers I actively look for when working with people to help them clarify and move towards their vision, that tells me they’re on the right track.

This resistance and fear can be paralysing or worse it can trick us into thinking that our desires aren’t really our true desires, otherwise there would be an absence of doubt wouldn’t there? The little (or not so little) internal voice that tells us “we’re not good enough, we’re doomed to failure, it’s not up to me, there are more important priorities like paying the bills, tending to our families” etc etc.

The voice of fear or resistance does everything it can to maintain the status quo, to keep us in the comfortable space that feels safe, even if it’s sucking the life blood out of us.

I recognise the devil that is procrastination only too well. It has become a fond friend to me over the years. Morphing from an alien intruder that kept me from productivity, that tortured me with guilt and lowered self-worth, to a well known companion that was a source of mild irritation to a firm friend that is an active signpost pointing clearing at my souls’ purpose and hearts’ desire.

I can now observe with a wry smile its many faces. One particularly amused me this week. When sitting down to write this very newsletter I felt an overwhelming “calling” to clean all our tea spoons! Oh yes procrastination is a wily adversary. Who would think that a seemingly innocuous task such as this could really be getting in the way of unleashing my true potential?!

I have learnt to recognise over time the true nature of these “callings”. They are the dreaded procrastination in full effect. If I’m not ever vigilant one such task can lead to a thousand others and before I know it the flat is spotless (down to the skirting boards), the ironing is done, the car is cleaned, my wardrobes are cleared out and even the sock drawer is tidy!

How can you fall for this I hear you ask? Well one explanation is fairly simple; these tasks can always be justified. There is always a higher than godly reason why the house should be spotless – what would our guests think if I let it all go to pot just because I was finishing my book?!

Succumbing to the poison chalice of procrastination is inevitable. Particularly if you have a temperament like mine, somewhat like a petulant child that if told they can’t have another biscuit will steal away and snuffle the whole packet.

So how do we move beyond this and empower ourselves to forge ahead in the direction of our dreams, doing what needs to be done to achieve them?

 

1^st Don’t kid yourself that it will be easy. An ever watchful eye is needed to spot the first signs of procrastination when they arise and disguise themselves as productivity. Some of my favourites:

Continually updating my facebook status (to remind people just how productive I am :o)), cleaning out drawers/filing cabinets, “tweaking” the website, planning, planning, planning – not doing! And oh yes – polishing the cutlery!

2^nd Recognise that it’s always there and we must do what we need to do regardless. Don’t wait, take action, any action and, over the process of your day, that huge insurmountable monolith of a rolling stone will pick up momentum.

3^rd Don’t kid yourself that your efforts will get you instant gratification. Those things that we procrastinate on are likely to be long haul projects that require consistent attention and dedication. We have to learn to see our work in the context of the big picture.

My hubby Mike for example, consistently does an hours’ daily piano practice even when he comes home from work on his knees, because he knows the rewards of consistent effort in the long term. However until I master the art of such Zen-like dedication then chocolate is a good substitute and provides me with a little short term reward that serves a purpose, and I forgive myself for that.

4^th Enlist real help.  Don’t allow your loved ones to feed the procrastination monster, even though they mean well. If you need to, find someone who can see through your very reasonable sounding rationalisations and get you to cut the crap and get on with it. Coaching can often be really helpful in this respect. As long as it doesn’t become another means of procrastination under the guise of “working on getting over my procrastination”. Short term interventions that lead to immediate, focused action in a clear direction that is aligned with your true purpose and potential are what’s needed.

Now I fear this blog is actually becoming procrastination for another piece of work so i’ll sign off for now and wish you a vigilant and visionary week.

 

 

Raise your game and reap the benefits

The last couple of weeks has been an exciting, and testing time, in the Cairns household. Mike's school has had the Ofsted inspectors in!

They were given the news of their arrival last Friday and told inspections would take place this Wednesday, not much notice to make sure everything is running as it should be. Any teachers among you will appreciate the fear of impending doom that news of this sort often brings, surprisingly not so for the faculty team at Mike's school. Rather, an incredible magic manifested which prompts todays' newsletter.
 
More on our subject of 'Raising your game' later, but first:
A very warm welcome to our new subscribers and a big hello to long time pals who haven't heard from me in a while.
 
September has been an incredible month for us so far, with a thoroughly enjoyable and productive blend of teaching, coaching, team building, prefect training, speaking engagements and networking. Our Vitality workshops, netwalks and training sessions are back in full swing after the summer break, more details below.
 
For now I'll sign off and leave you with today's offering for those of you you might be inspired to raise your game.

Raise your game and reap the benefits! 
 
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Have you ever had the overwhelming feeling that you couldn't do something, that it was beyond you but then decided, perhaps against the odds, to to it anyway and, by some small miracle, actually succeeded? If so you will have an idea of the magic that happens when you choose to raise your game. 
 
What is raising your game?
Carpe Diem
Going for it
Unleashing your potential
Doing what you're really capable of
Going the extra mile
Stepping up
All these things and more. It's the conscious choice, and powerful act, of being who you truly are, in a situation that demands more of you than the simple every day. 
 
The effects of raising your game:
As Mike has so powerfully experienced in this last week, the benefits of making a choice to raise your game, whether individually or as part of a team are far reaching.
 
Challenge is essential to growth. It is human nature to want to strive to be shaped and defined by our experience.  Studies of biology and neurology show us clearly how our brains and bodies positively responds to stretch of this kind.
 
Part of raising your game means fully living into the skills and talents that you have and using them to their fullest potential. The creativity, focus and flexibility required can be incredibly enjoyable and fulfilling. Certainly for Mike this week, i'ts been thoroughly enjoyable to have had lessons where he is getting even more from himself and from his pupils.
 
It's not always necessary to see the immediate results of your efforts on the end goal, but rather the action of stepping up to the plate can be hugely rewarding in itself. Pushing yourself to achieve, with a clear focus, starts a wave of momentum that builds. The increased motivation that results can dramatically improve productivity. The natural progressions of setting and expecting higher standards changes the nature of the game.
 
The action of raising your game causes events, and others, to respond in powerful ways and often affords you the ability to see possibilities that before didn't seem to exist. You only have to look at the success stories of some of the worlds great entrepreneurs to see this in action, not to mention heroes of past and present in the fields of medicine, diplomacy, science and others.
 
When the choice is made by a whole team with inspired leadership the yield is multiplied. Increased team spirit and cohesion further improves performance and deepens levels of trust, expectation and positivity.
 
Catalysts to raising your game:
External pressure. In the example of Mikes school, Ofsted provided a spark to ignite the passion for performance within the team.
You may well find that you respond well to outside influences. Seeing how others have excelled can also provide valuable fuel to the fire. The current pressure you may be feeling due to the shifting economic climate could be seen, with the right perspective, as pure rocket fuel!
 
A major set back,  coupled with the desire to rise every time we fall and out perform previous attempts is catalyst for some of us. To do that which you think you cannot, builds personal character like very little else.
 
Internal desire. Perhaps a more positive instigator, is a compelling and clearly defined vision. If you are someone guided by your own instincts, measuring your success on the level of your personal satisfaction and fulfillment, this can be the most powerful key.
 
Practical steps to raising your game:
There are many possible approaches, here's one that you can work with quickly and simply for a motivational boost.
 
Consider an area of your life that's important to you at the moment.
Your work, your relationship with your family and friends, your life in the community or social group, your health, your finances, whatever springs to mind.
 
Let's take a leaf out of Stephen Covey's book (The Seven Habits to be precise) and begin with the end in mind.
Imagine it's a few years hence. You are asked by someone you respect about that important part of your life. They are curious to hear the events and, with eager willingness, you are happy to share it with them.
What would you like to be able to tell them?
What accomplishments would you be most proud of?
What is the feeling you would most like to have about it?
What's the legacy that you would like to leave?
 
From this simple dip into the future you will now have a clearer idea of your driving values in relation to that part of your life. These are the things towards which you are guided and hint at your potential. 
 
Orientate yourself towards an outcome
With these in mind, give yourself a clear goal for the next days, few weeks or months. Something that moves you towards the fulfillment of those things that you have identified as being important in this area of your life. You may have already begun with a specific goal in mind, if so;
 
Assess your current strategy
Look at all the ways you are currently working towards your goal.
Consider your actions, your mindset, your network, your skills, talents and other resources. Determine how much time and how much energy you are currently expending, particularly on those things that are not in the direction of what you truly desire. Make a brief note of your thoughts.
Be sure to list those things that are currently working for you.
 
Identify the key skills and talents you have, and those that are required to achieve success in your goal. Make a simple list of all those you can think of.
 
Ask yourself, 'if I was fully utilising my skills and talents, what would be different, about my approach, my choices, my attitude and my results?'
If you were already the person that you will become what would be different?
 
Set yourself a challenge. Not simply to achieve a goal, but to excel beyond current imaginings. What would be the hallmarks of true expertise/genius/creativity/compassion/success? Choose whatever criteria works for you.
 
Give yourself a taste of what it would be like. Imagine, in full technicolour detail, living a life more motivated, more inspired, more passionate and more dedicated to succeed in your chosen goal.
 
Make a conscious choice. Knowing the rewards it will bring you and those around you, decide, consciously that you are worth the effort. Once we have truly made a decision great power is unleashed and the impossible becomes achievable.
 
Recognise your current worth. You already have the resources to achieve and live life in this way. If you've been feeling demotivated up until now, its likely that you have allowed yourself, or been pressured into, sitting back and not applying your skills to their full potential. That can change in this moment, if you make the choice.
 
Realise that you have a responsibility, to be the very best that you can be. To inspire others by your example, to fulfill your commitments not just to others, but to yourself. Great things happen when people are moved to step up. Who knows what you can bring to the world just by raising your game a little!
 
Take action - of course, this is the true hallmark of someone who has raised their game. They take new, quick, inspired and relevant action in direct pursuit of their ultimate aim.

Life out of control?

Simple steps to reclaim your life and take your power back
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Carpe Diem
You've probably noticed this morning that the sun isn't shining as gloriously as it was yesterday - well not in West London at least. Has that already affected your mood? Well it's not raining, so maybe not. But how often can early morning events shape our day?
Stop! Choose to live more consciously and choose your day upon waking. Decide the purpose or intent behind your day. Make a conscious choice to conduct yourself how you wish to be, and forgive yourself when you don't quite stick to it every minute. Making a conscious choice first thing can be hugely powerful. Here are some of my favourites:
Today I will be gratitude
Today I will be go with the flow
Today I will be purposeful and directed
Today I will chill out and hang out
Today I will let love make my decisions.

Zip up
This is one of the most effective techniques for protecting your physical and emotional energy that I've ever come across. I am so grateful to the lovely Donna Eden for showing me this along with her wonderful Energy Medicine.
If you feel like you're picking up other peoples negative thought or energy or feeling drained when spending time in certain environments, it could be that your central meridian needs some strengthening. If it's weak it can leave us feeling open and exposed to picking up unwanted baggage. This meridian runs up from your pubic bone to your bottom lip. Pulling your hands up along this line like a zipper acts to strengthen it. So when you feel the need for protection perhaps your heading for the tube, the shopping centre, a difficult meeting, whatever the challenge just Zip Up, with the intention of protecting yourself and tap into your inner strength and confidence.

Leverage the power of yellow
Yellow is the colour associated most with the Solar Plexus Chakra. The life lesson of this Chakra being self esteem and self confidence and it governs personal power and self will.
Wear yellow, eat yellow, carry yellow crystals if that appeals, (citrine is traditionally good for this Chakra).
How do you know if this Chakra need attention? If you are not in your power it is very easy to slip into the role of The Drudge who depends on everyone else for approval, and hands over the responsibility for their happiness by submissiveness or dependence. A drudge will see value in what they do, not who they are. You may also find at times you get very tired, have allergies, a poor digestion are overly agressive or sensitive.

It's important when taking your power back to recognise that you are as valuable today as the day when you were born. As a baby you didn't have to do anything to earn the right to a place in the world and the same is true today. The opposite archetype to The Drudge is the Spiritual Warrior, who knows their place in the world and considers themselves worthy of it. Recognise your right to be here and affirm that right by giving yourself permission to be who you are.

Take steps to choose your future
If you feel you've been floating along for too long, make a purposeful step towards creating your new future. Take 1/2 hour out to possibility brainstorm all the things that you might like your future to hold - you could even do this with the family and create a shared vision. You might like to capture it on a vision board. If you really want to make powerful change engage a coach or mentor, someone who is living the kind of life you'd like to lead or has qualities that you'd like to integrate.

5 Minutes Meditation
Gandhi is noted to have said "I have twice as much to do today, I must meditate twice as long". He appreciated the power of mediation for centering, grounding and connecting before throwing himself into the work of the day. Sitting for hours in lotus might not be achievable for many of us, but just 5 minutes good meditation with quality breathing is all you need to quiet the mind and centre the body starting your day as you mean to go on.

If you struggle with the concept of "traditional" mediation there are so many more options these days, try a walking meditation where you focus intently on the movement of your body, your breathing and your footsteps as you enjoy a walk in nature. You might try contemplation, pick up a random book, flip to a page and read a sentence or paragraph and sit and reflect on it for a few minutes. A book I love to do this with is "A guide for the advanced soul - A book of insight" by Susan Hayward. ISBN-9590439-3-4

Watch your words
Your words create your experience, notice the phrases you repeatedly use. Are you always tired, are you always busy/broke/drowning in paperwork/never enough time/feeling overwhelmed/can't. Recognise now that although initially that may be an accurate statement of how you feel, by stating it, you are simply creating more of it in your future. Listen literally to what you say. When you slip up by making a statement about your existence that you don't want to continue into the future with the next breath correct it. Pretty soon you'll be expressing and living a new reality.

If more energy and vitality is what you'd like in your future then I still have places on the next Vitality workshop on 31st May, visit my website for more details. If you would like more support on embracing your power and purpose and living the life you choose then you are welcome to join me on my next Inspired to action workshop on 28th May, visit my website for more details

When will it be time...

Mike and I had a wonderful weekend, we went to visit some very good friends down in sunny Boscombe who we haven't seen for an age. It reminded me of our promise to ourselves to move out of the city at some point and one of our new years resolutions, to see more of our friends.

I'm sure you have found, as we have, that a lot of the time, "life" can take over and get in the way of our desires, however big or small. I'm writing this blog as a reminder.

You might like to ask yourself "what are some of life’s little (or big) pleasures that i've put aside." What are some of the things you've always wanted to do but haven't found the time?

When will it be time?! If your hearts call is unanswered for too long the potential result is frustration, heart ache, illness, resentment, worry, anger - these feelings of the modern age.

All you need do is take 5 minutes now to write down a short list of at least 5 things that you would like to do to make life more enjoyable and meaningful for you. Big or small it doesn't matter, I find it helps to have a mix and include some things that don't take much time.

For example:
learn to sing, take dancing lessons, take up pottery, learn to speak a foreign language, go travelling, get a really good hair cut/massage/therapy treatment, visit an old friend, go to the sea side, walk in nature, climb a mountain, start yoga, eat healthy, clutter clear, write a letter to Grandma, throw a party, have a barbeque, visit a spa, go sailing, swimming, hiking, biking, cooking, start a family, get married, get divorced, start a business, make something, invent something, change something.....

Then decide which one you'd like to start with and do it!

You have the opportunity this very moment, to start moving your life even more firmly in the direction of your dreams and hearts desire. Carpe diem!

Are you the Coffee?

I had such a lovely day yesterday delivering an Introduction to NLP workshop in the morning, a team development workshop in the afternoon and mediation and Indian head Massage classes in the evening. I'm so lucky with all the workshops I do, all of the participants are delightful to be with and we have so much fun it doesn't feel like work.

At the end of one of my sessions yesterday I shared a little story with my group that I've not used for quite a while. It seems to be appropriate for many people I’m meeting at the moment (and probably therefore for me too) so I'd like to share it.

I'm afraid I don't know the original origins and I’ve made a few tweaks for ease of reading, but my thanks goes to the original creator of this wonderful little metaphor.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling.  It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on the hob to boil. 

In the first pot she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and
placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see." 

Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied, slightly exasperated.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.  She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What’s this all about mum?”

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity…boiling water. Each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

Which are you?" she asked her daughter.
"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

When was the last time....

I spent such a wonderful day yesterday at the Renewal Centre in Swallowfield. From talking to two lovely ladies who joined me on my Reiki workshop it inspired me to jot down a few thoughts today.

One of the most wonderful things about the day was the luxury of spending time, time connecting with each other, time connecting with ourselves and time devoted to the side of life that often gets neglected amidst the hustle and bustle of our everyday busy-ness.

How often do you dedicate real quality time to developing your self, not just your business or your CV but perhaps your spiritual side, or creative abilities? There is such a rich variety of possibilities to tempt those of us interested in widening our horizons.

If you want to take a bit more time out to nurture, mind body and spirit here's a few suggestions.
Book a place at the Mind Body Spirit Festival - coming up in May. www.mindbodyspirit.co.uk

Find your unique voice - try Edwin Coppards musical workshop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K47uRT4cOfQ

Visit Alternatives at St James Piccadilly for a whole host of workshops talks and events. www.alternatives.org.uk

Try a meditation class, I’m a huge fan of Jo Sumner and her work, she runs meditation classes fortnightly at The William Hobbayne Centre, corner of St Dunstan's Road and Lower Boston Road, W7. Contact Jo on 07786 273 826, Joannesumner@btopenworld.com.

Go on retreat, aside from my Realisation RetreatTM in beautiful monmouthshire at the end of march there are plenty of options available to you.

http://www.yogawithnisha.co.uk/retreats.html

http://www.oxonhoath.co.uk/oxonhoath/index.cfm

http://www.middlepiccadilly.com/

http://www.thehillthatbreathes.com/

Get creative:
Pottery, singing, drawing, painting, photography, writing, play an instrument, write a song, do a collage....the list is only limited by your creativity.

Enjoy investing time in yourself this week and beyond.

Elizabeth

 

Putting It Off... More help for the procrastinators amongst us

We all have examples I'm sure of things we put off doing, here's some fairly common ones:

Tackling the ironing pile, doing expenses, exercising, washing the car, sweeping the leaves, visiting the dentist, opticians, giving up smoking, loosing weight, clearing out cupboards/shed.

Here's one possible 10 point plan for getting some of your key things out of the way early on this year.

1. List
Get all those things you are putting off out of your head and onto a list. If you have multiple "must get round to doing" lists already, consolidate them.

2. Time
Take a minute to guestimate the time it would take you to complete each one from start to finish and write that down next to it on your list.

3. Prioritise
Taking into account your guestimate, prioritise your top 3 to achieve before Christmas. Bearing in mind all the other Christmas preparations be realistic, it's important not to get de-motivated by setting impractical targets. How you prioritise is a matter of personal choice.

4. Benefits
List at least 11 benefits of completing each of your 3 tasks. Consider all the good things doing that task will enable you to feel. What else will it mean you can do when it's out of the way? Who else will benefit? What else is important to you about achieving this? Etc. etc.

5. Schedule and commit
In line with the wise words of William Hutchinson Murray, until one is committed, it's easy to not do or give up. Find a way to commit yourself. Choose when you will take your first action and write it in your diary, in pen! Give yourself a good start and schedule a time when you won't be distracted and your energy levels are high.

6. TATTs
Break down your goal into tiny achievebale tickable tasks, that's manageable bite sized pieces. Especially if it's a longer term one. I personally don't make any TATT longer than 20 minutes as it helps to keep my energy and motivation up. (Thanks to hubby Mike for this little gem!).

7. Apply the Expectation Principle

8. Get Started
Don't wait until the time you have scheduled to get started Take one immediate action step now to start the ball rolling. e.g. get the ironing board out ready. We are much more likely to complete tasks that have been started, for me its a bit like leaving a bath running in our brain.

9. Remind
Find a way to set a reminder. Use your outlook, phone, get a friend to remind you, post its, a countdown in your diary. Consider an online reminder service.  Associate starting the task with something else that is happening that day so it prompts you. Be creative, anything goes.

10. Reward
Plan your reward, make it a good one and only take it when the task is complete. If it's a long term task, reward yourself for every few steps.
For inspiration check out buyagift.co.uk. There might even be some ideas for Mothers day.

The Expectation Principle

This weekend my office was blighted by a technology meltdown of sorts, ok so I have a propensity to exaggerate slightly. The "meltdown" manifested as: no broadband and no email. So my usual Monday morning task of posting this blog was put back while I cleared some of the backlog of mails and error messages this morning.

What's this got to do with motivation you say?

Well I realised that, while I have a fairly strong internal drive to get most things done, I also have a fairly short window in which to do them before motivation wanes. This blog is an example, I very nearly didn't take the time to write it. Firstly because I hadn't even sketched out the usual Sunday night draft as Mike and I were over at friends of ours for dinner. Secondly, due to being out with said friends, there is a little more alcohol in my Monday morning bloodstream this morning, than usual. Lastly as I knew it would take some time and I was already playing catch up.

Well you're reading the evidence of the motivational strategy that was applied and it's what I like to call "The Expectation Principle". It's very simple, I knew that someone was expecting to see this blog this morning, I also knew that they were expecting to see it at 9.30. I hold this particular person in high esteem which also led me to be motivated meet their expectations.

When we don't have the internal motivation, having someone else hold your feet to the fire to achieve certain tasks can be very useful. There is a difference, however, between The Expectation Principle and the kind of stick motivation that you get when someone nags you to get something done. The Expectation Principle is a positive feeling, a pull towards meeting high expectations, a desire to please if you like, with a little something extra.

So if you know you have things to accomplish today or this week, that might slip off the radar, engage someone to help you with your motivation.

There are a number of ways to set in motion the expectation principle, here's one process:
•  Find someone you respect or admire who's opinion of you matters, but perhaps you don't know too well yet.
•  Have a chat with them, explain why you're aiming to achieve your particular task, get excited about the benefits of doing that.
•  Allow them to be curious and genuinely interested in your desired outcome, take on board their suggestions, thoughts and comments.
•  Be specific about the day and time that you will achieve this task by.
•  When the time comes to do your task, remind yourself of their expectation. I have an image of this person in my head and can hear their words of encouragement, but whatever way you remind yourself will work just as well.
•  If the time passes without you having achieved your task, allow them to remind you about the benefits of your outcome (you might need to ask them to do this for you in advance).

If you need a buddy to help you get fired up about that task that's been bugging you then drop me a line, I'll be delighted to help.
Wishing you a thoroughly motivated Monday!
Elizabeth Cairns
Amovita Limited
"Inspiring you to achieve what you never thought possible"
www.amovita.co.uk

MMM - Monday morning motivation

Mike, my husband, and I spent a lovely evening with two great friends of ours over the weekend. Both very creative passionate people who’s company we thoroughly enjoy. We got to talking, as we usually do, about our work.
By the end of the conversation we were geared up for a great week ahead, reaffirmed in our commitment to the work that we do and overflowing with enthusiasm, helped a little by the mulled wine.

On reflection this morning I started to unpick the process that we went through, in a fairly fundamental way, to gain a deeper understanding of how that seamless and elegant process worked. I thought I’d share my initial thoughts in the hope that it may provide some Monday morning Motivation for you.

If you were a donkey, which I’m not suggesting you are of course, would you be more motivated by the carrot or the stick? If you were an athlete, would you be a sprinter, or a long distance runner? The Tortoise or the Hare? Sheep or Shepherd?

It’s fair to say, I think, that we are all slightly different in our motivation.

In Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) the patterns that I’m fascinated by in relation to motivation, amongst other things, are known as Meta Programmes. In straight forward terms, these are patterns in our way of thinking that we use to form our view of the world, preferences if you like that determine the filters we apply to the information we receive. It’s important to note that each Meta Programme or pattern is highly variable according to the situation.

As an example the carrot / stick analogy might be used to describe the Meta Programme of Towards – Away From. Does a person move towards pleasure, or away from pain in that particular situation?  In my work, I’m very much pulled by the carrot, the stick just irritates me. When I’m moved to do the ironing, it’s because I can’t get in the room before climbing Shirt Everest! (Away From).
In the context of motivating my friend towards her work, the Towards also applies. The prospect of bringing to fulfilment creative, artistic, profound projects inspires her more than the need to pay the bills. I’ve also noticed this trait in a number of my friends and fellow networkers who have entrepreneurial tendencies.

So if we know the carrot motivates us, how can we use that?
I noticed, during our conversation, that we were loosely following a process that I often engage with when coaching, that may be useful if you’ve not considered this before.
Lets imagine being a donkey again, if there was a carrot round the next corner, but you couldn’t see it, it might edge you forwards for a while, but you would likely soon get bored and give up. It might not be as motivating for you as if it was hanging on a string, just out of reach of your nose. In order to be motivated by it, the carrot needs to be visible.

My friend is an artist, a really god one and she likes to work big. As we were talking I could see her imagining herself engaged in her work on these giant canvasses, painting and screen printing to her hearts desire. She could see the process and the end result including the delighted look on her clients faces when they hang their piece with pride. The more she saw, the more excited she became. When we added dialogue to the images in her mind and rehearsed those successful conversations she would have with her clients, it became even more real.

The process is a simple one that you can apply today. Create a simple vision for your work, ask yourself
“What’s the big picture here? Why am I doing this? What will it achieve for me? What’s the value of what I do for my clients?” All these things, start to make you feel good about what it is that you’re doing.
Then see yourself doing it with great success. Make the images big, colourful and real for you. To make it even more compelling use as many senses as you can. Add a soundtrack that reinforces it for you. Add the smells, make them really specific, for aromatherapists out there imagine that perfect top, middle, base note blend that works wonders on the mind body and soul, if you’re a chef, add the sizzle, the aroma, the taste! Make your vision as real as possible. Then dangle it in front of your nose….! Keep it in front of you when you need a lift or a spurt of motivation, remind yourself of why you’re slogging through your to do list, writing your blog, using market place, updating your status, making that call you might not want to make. Spend a minute of your precious time to paint a picture in your mind and re-motivate yourself.

“Vision without action is a daydream, Action without vision is a nightmare” Japanese Proverb

I’ve only scratched the surface of meta programmes, mental rehearsal and the wealth of tools and techniques that are related to this fascinating field of motivation. Watch this space for future MmM’s or message me if I’ve inspired curiosity and you want to find out more.

“Motivation is like bathing, that’s why we recommend it daily.”