Category Archives: Leadership

Challenge, Comfort Zone, Fear, Leadership, Opportunity, Success

Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone

January 22, 2015 Liz Stincelli

“A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown.” —Denis Waitley

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

Your Comfort Zone

Why break out of your comfort zone? You will never create anything new if you don’t stretch your boundaries and break out of the status quo. Getting out of your comfort zone allows you to see new possibilities and forge a new path to achieve your goals. Your life experiences are fuller and your horizons are broader on outside. You get to define who you are and how you view opportunity. Are you going to play is safe? Or, are you going to risk it all outside of your comfort zone?

Overcome fear

Dan Stevens believed, “The comfort zone is the great enemy to creativity; moving beyond it necessitates intuition, which in turn configures new perspectives and conquers fear.” Don’t let fear prevent you from thinking in new ways and trying new things. You’ll be amazed at how resilient, capable, confident, and courageous you can become. Learn to let go of the need to be in total control. Step outside your comfort zone, set aside your fear, and try something totally different.

Welcome challenge

J.R. Martinez said, “I’ve learned in my life that it’s important to be able to step outside your comfort zone and be challenged with something you’re not familiar or accustomed to. That challenge will allow you to see what you can do.” You possess a wealth of knowledge and experience. Trust this knowledge and experience to help you confront and overcome the challenges you will face outside your comfort zone. The satisfaction you receive from successfully prevailing in light of challenge allows you to create rewarding work. If you never feel uncomfortable you are limiting your possibilities and your growth. Embrace challenge; reframe your goals so they include learning new things and exploring new experiences.

Take risks

Edward Whitacre, Jr. told us, “Be willing to step outside your comfort zone once in a while; take the risks in life that seem worth taking. The ride might not be as predictable as if you’d just planted your feet and stayed put, but it will be a heck of a lot more interesting.” Let go of the idea of perfection; it is a concept that is unattainable and causes you to avoid risk. With risk, you face the chance of failure but, also the opportunity for great success. Visualize obstacles, see yourself overcoming them, and then take the risk. You may not always win, but you will always grow.

A New Normal

Robin S. Sharma explained, “As you move outside of your comfort zone, what was once the unknown and frightening becomes your new normal.” That which is scary will eventually become comfortable. You will open yourself up to amazing new experiences. You may even meet new people and develop new relationships. You are a work in progress. Break out of your comfort zone, face your fear, overcome the challenges, and take the risk; you’ll be glad you did.

Elizabeth Stincelli is passionate about recognizing and inspiring the leader in each of us. She is the CEO of Stincelli Advisors where she focuses on helping organizations engage employees and improve organizational culture. Elizabeth holds a Doctor of Management degree with an emphasis on organizational leadership.

Learn more about Elizabeth by visiting her website, stincelliadvisors.com and connect with her on Twitter @infinitestin, Google+, and LinkedIn. You can contact her by email at stincelliadvisors@gmail.com.

Challenge, Fear, Leadership, Perseverance, Strength, Success

Stand Strong and Persevere

January 5, 2015 Liz Stincelli

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.” —Walter Elliot

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

Perseverance

We do not succeed in a day, a week, or even a year. Success takes dedication and perseverance; and it takes it on a daily basis; day after day, week after week, and year after year. No one can do it for you; you have to do it for yourself. Stop dwelling on the negative; stand strong and persevere.

Overcome your fear

So where do you start? First, you must learn not to let fear stand in your way, causing you to give up. Charles Stanley wrote, “Fear stifles out thinking and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation. I have known talented people who procrastinate indefinitely rather than risk failure. Lost opportunities cause erosion of confidence, and the downward spiral begins.” If you want to succeed, you must be willing to fail. Recognize that failure is not something to fear, it is only temporary; grow from it and move forward. Become courageous enough to do what you’re afraid doing. Only then will you build the resilience necessary to bounce back from defeat.

Welcome a new challenge

Summer Sanders said, “To be a champion, I think you have to see the big picture. It’s not about winning and losing; it’s about every day hard work and about thriving on a challenge.” When you learn to thrive on challenge you no longer perceive it as an obstacle to success. Take the initiative and accept the challenge to act on your biggest ideas. Develop the tenacity necessary to fight for your dreams. Every new challenge is an opportunity to get closer to achieving your goals. Step out of you comfort zone and stand strong in the face of adversity. Use challenge as an opportunity to experience, learn, and grow.

Keep moving forward

Conrad Hall explained, “You are always a student, never a master. You have to keep moving forward.” You keep moving forward when to choose to take responsibility, learn from your mistakes, and make corrections. You will never regret putting forth the effort necessary to keep moving when things get tough. When you feel stuck, try looking at things from a different point of view. You never know when all the hard work and perseverance is going to pay off so, never give up. Take stock of both your accomplishments and the lessons learned from your failures and then keep moving forward.

You Can Do It

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow told us, “Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.” Accept that the only person you can control is yourself. Acceptance of this fact places the responsibility for your success squarely on your shoulders. Develop courage by overcoming fear, build resiliency by welcoming a new challenge, and use the lessons you learn to keep moving you forward. Stand strong and persevere; you can do it.

Challenge, Leadership, Positive Energy, Success

Where’s Your Positive Energy?

January 5, 2015 Liz Stincelli

“When you are enthusiastic about what you do, you feel this positive energy. It’s very simple.” —Paulo Coelho

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

Positive Energy

Life can be long and tedious when you get caught up in negative thinking. Negative thinking leads to negative energy and negative energy NEVER leads to success. So, how can you cultivate positive energy?

Self-Talk

Denis Waitley tells us, “Relentless, repetitive self-talk is what changes our self-image.” Words have power, especially self-talk. Start by getting rid of all the “have to”, “must”, and “should” talk. Stop telling yourself that everything has to be perfect. Tell yourself that you are equipped to overcome the obstacles you are likely to encounter. Decide that you will maintain a positive attitude despite what comes your way. Recognize and then eliminate even the slightest appearance of negative self-talk.

Reframe

Marianne Williamson explained, “Our key to transforming anything lies in our ability to reframe it.” Recognize that in life very few things in life black or white. Learn to look at situations from other perspectives and reframe the way you define your circumstances. Find the positive in people and situations. Focus on the things that make you healthy and happy and reframe to develop a positive, yet realistic view of the world.

Growth

Bo Bennett said, “Those who improve with age embrace the power of personal growth and personal achievement and begin to replace youth with wisdom, innocence with understanding, and lack of purpose with self-actualization.” What better way to foster positive energy than to know you are growing every day. Focus on what you can do instead of what you can’t do. Connect a positive meaning to the goals you are pursuing. Emphasize continual learning, growth, and real engagement in your life. Develop positive relationships that offer support in your constructive endeavors. Figure out who you are when you are at your best and then strive to be that person 100% of the time.

You Have It

Hayley Hasselhoff believed, “People dwell so much on the little things, but why should they hold you back when you have the big things to look forward to? By exuding positive energy when dealing with your problems, you will exude it in your being in general.” Focus on positive self-talk, reframe situations to view the positive, and concentrate on your personal growth. Practice small, positive steps every day. Express gratitude for who you are, your opportunities, and your experiences. Where’s your positive energy? I know you have it so let’s see it.

Leadership, Strength

Differentiate Yourself: Focus on Your Strengths

January 2, 2015 Liz Stincelli

“It does not take much strength to do things, but it requires great strength to decide on what to do.” —Elbert Hubbard

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

Your Strengths

How can you differentiate yourself? Is it more constructive to focus on your areas of weakness, or should you focus on your strengths? Your strengths are what allow you to perform well. I am not talking about technical strengths because talent will only get you so far. I’m talking about the strengths that span across tasks, situations, and settings. These strengths are more motivating than your weaknesses and they give you the confidence that differentiates you from the crowd. So, how do you know where to focus?

What provides satisfaction?

Zig Ziglar explained, “Being productive gives people a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that loafing never can.” Think about what you find fulfilling. What activities provide you with satisfaction and happiness? This is where you will find your strengths.

Is it consistent?

Arsene Wenger said, “When you look at people who are successful, you will find that they aren’t the people who are motivated, but have consistency in their motivation.” Your strengths can be seen across different situations and are consistent over time. You may find your strength lies in your resilience, integrity, honesty, agility, or perseverance. Look for the traits that you exhibit consistently regardless of circumstance, task, or setting.

How can you use it?

Denis Waitley tells us, “Don’t dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer.” Knowing your strengths can help you to understand how you fit into the big picture. In turn, when you can see the big picture you can better determine how to leverage strength. Recognizing and focusing on your strengths will impact the relationships you build, the way you work with your team, and the self-development you pursue. Your strengths will keep you motivated and help you think strategically and creatively.

Differentiate Yourself

Eleanor Roosevelt believed, “We gain strength, courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face…we must do that which we think we cannot.” The most effective tool you have for differentiating yourself is a focus on your strengths. These strengths are your assets. Does your strength lie in your ability to be a visionary? Do find satisfaction in being able to ask the right questions and solve problems? Does your strength consistently lie in planning or in rolling up your sleeves and getting the job done? Your strengths differentiate you by influencing your effectiveness at being a leader, solving problems, and working with your team. Use your strengths to overcome your fears and keep moving yourself forward. Focus on building your strengths rather than overcoming your weaknesses; it is your strengths that will set you apart from the crowd.

Culture, Employee Morale, Engagement, Habits, Leadership, Morale

Developing a Healthy Culture in 2015

December 24, 2014 Liz Stincelli

“Businesses often forget about the culture, and ultimately, they suffer for it because you can’t deliver good service from unhappy employees.” —Tony Hsieh
By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

Why Culture?

As we approach the start of a new year, it’s the perfect opportunity to set a goal for developing a healthy culture in your organization in 2015. Now, of course, merely setting a goal is not nearly enough, but laying out a plan is a great starting point. While many leaders view culture as the latest buzzword in organizational leadership, the truth is, your culture may have a bigger impact on the performance of your organization than any other single factor. Culture drives success; your culture impacts your level of engagement, growth, and innovation. Your culture determines the on-the-ground actions, behaviors, and decisions of your employees. A healthy culture does not happen by accident, it is intentionally developed. So, what can you do to start developing a healthy culture in 2015?

Set the example

Rupert Murdoch told us, “In motivating people, you’ve got to engage their minds and their hearts. I motivate people, I hope, by example – and perhaps by excitement, by having productive ideas to make others feel involved.” As the leader, you are the one responsible for creating the culture in your organization. Focus on the positive behaviors you want to see in your organization and then set the example for others to follow. Show people that you value the employees at every level of the organization. Help them see that their actions and decisions have value. Communicate respectfully and authentically. Then, celebrate small achievements.

Help them grow

Benjamin Franklin believed, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” If you want to have a healthy culture you must invest in the development of your employees. This shows them that they are valued. Help them to build positive self-identities. Offer them the opportunity to design their own work. Make learning something to be celebrated. Show them the trust it takes to allow them to learn from mistakes without fear. Encourage them to participate in the decision-making in your organization.

Share your values

Your culture is based on group norms of behavior; shared values are what keep those norms in place. Roy E. Disney said, “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” Share your values with your employees. Help them see how these values play into the long-term focus of the organization. Then, help them understand the importance of the role they play in that focus. Once you share your values you can start to develop shared, healthy organizational habits.

Healthy Culture/Happy Employees

James Sinegal explained, “When employees are happy, they are your very best ambassadors.” Develop a healthy culture that will keep your employees happy. Set the example, help them grow, and share your values. Connect meaning and value to them as individuals and to the tasks they perform for your organization. Remember, your culture will influence the actions, behaviors, and decisions of every employee. Make intentionally developing a healthy culture in 2015 a priority and see what success you can achieve.

Communication, Engagement, Leadership, Respect

Do You Really Want to Communicate?

December 18, 2014 Liz Stincelli

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” —Tony Robbins

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

Communication

Just because you are talking doesn’t mean you are communicating. Are your conversations one-sided? Are you listening with judgment? Are you so busy formulating a response that you miss the message? The point of communication is to try to create a shared perception of the world. Develop the habit of really engaging in conversation. Learn to show respect when communicating. And, recognize that, while there may be differing points of view, you can still communicate effectively.

Engage

Nelson Mandela said, “A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger.” You and the other side will never get closer to the same understanding if you do not engage in good, two-way communication. It’s difficult to have a productive conversation that is confrontational, demeaning, or judgmental. To have constructive conversations, try asking questions that will draw on a positive memory or feeling; this deepens the sense of well-being and trust. When we feel at ease we are more likely to be open to having productive conversations. Interact directly whenever possible. Make others feel like they are part of the conversation and that their input is valued. In a successful conversation both parties walk away feeling that they have been heard and have a better understanding of where the other is coming from.

Respect

Bryant H. McGill believed, “One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” Ask others for their perspectives or personal opinions; this shows you have respect for them and their input. Share the floor. Don’t act as if it’s your way or nothing. Be confident but not arrogant when you’re communicating. Learn to paint the big picture for others and help them to see how they fit in. Have enough respect to give credit where it is due. Only speak for yourself and remain genuine and receptive. Make it clear how much you care about the success of others and that you respect and value their opinions.

Two views

Harper Lee explained, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.” If you want to really communicate you must acknowledge that there are differences in how any two people view reality and situations. Learn to focus on what others are saying at the moment without interrupting or passing judgment. Then, confirm your understanding and ask follow-up questions. Don’t dance around uncomfortable questions, answer first and then elaborate if necessary. This open give and take is what allows you to create a shared understanding of the situation.

Make the Effort

Truman Capote stated, “A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue. That’s why there are so few good conversations: due to scarcity, two intelligent talkers seldom meet.” In order to have good conversations you must learn to engage not lecture. You must show respect. And, you must recognize that there are two differing points of view involved in every conversation. We all find it difficult to communicate sometimes but, good conversations can happen if you are willing to make the effort.

Gratitude, Leadership

Are You a Grateful Leader?

December 11, 2014 Liz Stincelli 1 Comment

“Often people ask how I manage to be happy despite having no arms and no legs. The quick answer is that I have a choice. I can be angry about not having limbs, or I can be thankful that I have a purpose. I chose gratitude.” —Nick Vujicic

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

Gratitude

Very few of us have as much to be angry about as Nick Vujicic. Yet, Nick has chosen to be grateful. If he can do it, so can you. Gratitude can make a difference not only in your life but in the lives of those you work and associate with. Think of the example you will be setting if you demonstrate gratitude in every area of your life, including your leadership. What a simple concept; change lives by showing gratitude.

Why

Why show gratitude? Melody Beattie explained, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” When you are truly grateful, everyone wins. People who operate in an environment of appreciation and gratitude are more inspired and engaged. They have a positive outlook on life. Gratitude can be a great motivator and there is no better way to develop trust than letting people know they are sincerely cared for and appreciated. Gratitude opens the door to building new, stronger relationships; it can ease hardships, and amplify the positive in life. Gratitude and happiness are interconnected and can be infectious. How much more productive and engaged would your employees be if they felt supported and appreciated by you?

Who

To whom should you express gratitude? People want to associate and do business with people they like and who appreciate them. When you show gratitude, people will remember how good you made them feel. The most powerful tool for success at your disposal is your ability to make others feel appreciated. When people feel appreciated they are more likely to communicate openly, collaborate more, and accomplish great things. As a leader, you should express gratitude to those who have an impact on you. This means personally and professionally; both internal and external to your organization.

How

How can you make others feel appreciated? You can create an environment where others have the opportunity to thrive, be creative, and increase their potential. Notice the good in others daily. Thank them both privately and publically with words of appreciation. Be authentic by expressing gratitude because you get pleasure from doing so, not out of obligation. Show empathy and compassion. Demonstrate your gratitude by offering your ear, giving compliments that are specific, offering opportunities, showing trust, and making others feel they’re part of something bigger. As a leader, you can create a healthy, happy culture where gratitude is the norm.

Gratitude in Leadership

John Milton said, “Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” As a leader, your gratitude will change the way both you and those you associate with see the world. Use your grateful attitude to help others focus on the positive aspects of their personal and professional lives. It’s a simple concept; express gratitude daily and change not only the lives of those you associate with, but your own life as well.

Leadership, Sharing

Sharing Your Gifts

December 4, 2014 Liz Stincelli

“We are never doing anyone any favors by withholding our gifts from the world. It’s scary to be fierce, but you can’t compromise that for fear of losing those around you.” —Idina Menzel

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

What Do You Have to Give?

Every one of us has a gift to share. I’m not talking about material gifts, I’m talking about the gifts that don’t cost a thing but can make the biggest difference in the lives of others. These are the gifts that uplift others. What do you have to give? Every one of us can give T.I.P.S.; they won’t cost you a thing.

Time

Mary Kay Ash believed, “No matter how busy you are, you must take time to make the other person feel important.” Time is a limited resource, but it may possibly be the most valuable gift you can give. When you are willing to share the gift of your precious time, it shows people you really care. Take the time to make family, friends, colleagues, and those in your community feel important.

Inclusion

Colm Keaveney said, “Discipline and unconditional support is earned by understanding, trust, and inclusion.” Everyone desires a sense of belonging, to be part of a community. What a simple but meaningful gift to share; helping others feel part of something bigger. Whether it be a family, team, organization, or other community, people want to feel that they fit in, that they have something in common with those around them, and that they are welcome and accepted.

Passion

Oprah Winfrey tells us, “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” And then, share that excitement with others. Help them find purpose and meaning in the everyday things they do. Share the gift of your passion and ignite a fire inside others that will fill their lives with energy, excitement, and a passion of their own.

Servitude

Ann Landers explained, “People who care about each other enjoy doing things for one another. They don’t consider it servitude.” Whether you are a leader, a colleague, a friend, or a neighbor, be of service. The gift of your service can lift others, lighten their load, and improve their lives. You will find that being of service to others benefits you more than it does them by providing a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Sharing Your Gifts

Sabrina Bryan said, “You can do anything as long as you have the passion, the drive, the focus, and the support.” Help those in your life accomplish great things by sharing the gifts that only you can give. Give of your precious time. Share acceptance and a sense of community. Spread your passion. And, be of service to others. When you share your gifts, you are the one who reaps the rewards. Be fierce and share your gifts with the world.

Collaboration, Communication, Engagement, Leadership, Leadership Development, Organizational Culture

Making a Leadership Difference

November 28, 2014 Liz Stincelli 1 Comment

“Make a difference about something other than yourselves.” —Toni Morrison

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

Time to Evaluate

As we approach the end of the year, what a great time to evaluate the difference that our leadership is making. The difference I am talking about is not on the bottom line, it’s in the lives of your employees. Do they look to you for direction? Do they know you have their back? Do they feel that you value them as individuals? Does your leadership last in your absence? Maybe it’s time to hone some of your leadership behaviors.

Communication

Communication is one of the most powerful forces in leadership. Yehuda Berg explained, “Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble.” How would your employees rate your communication? Your ability to communicate openly and effectively determines how well you connect with others. This ability consists not only of how well you speak, but how well you listen. Are your communications inclusive? Do you approach your conversations with curiosity and engagement? Show employees that you value their input by asking and expressing appreciation for their opinions. Listen with the intent to understand; acknowledge your own biases and keep them in check. When you, as a leader, communicate well, your organization will be more efficient, your employees will give their best efforts, and you will have a stronger culture with higher morale.

Respect

Estelle Parsons said, “It is so important to get respect for what you do and at the same time give it.” Is there mutual respect in your organization? Estelle’s quote applies to your employees as well as yourself. As a leader, it is so important that you acknowledge, respect, and appreciate the contributions that each of your employees make to the success of the whole. Show that you are interested and see value in each of them as individuals. Tune into their needs and invest your time and energy to their development. Show that you respect their ideas by inviting them to challenge your thinking. Respect your employees enough to be authentic and open with them. Be willing to share your wisdom, but also to learn from their experiences and knowledge.

Courage

How courageous are you as a leader? Robert Green Ingersoll believed, “The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.” Do you have the courage to stand behind the right decisions made by either you or your employees? Your employees need to know that you have their back. As a leader, you must also have the courage to seek new opportunities and challenge the status quo. You must admit your faults but not let your failures discourage you. Show enough confidence to make the tough decisions while sticking to your core values. Have the courage to let your employees see that you are open to constructive criticism and new challenges.

Collaboration

Mattie Stepanek explained, “Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration wonderful things can be achieved.” As a leader, don’t just dictate what is to be done, use collaboration to help your team come up with the best solutions. Do you anticipate the needs of your employees and are you proactive in meeting them? When you give your employees the tools they need and put the right people in the right roles, as Mattie said, wonderful things can be achieved. Engage and encourage employees to actively participate in organizational improvements and decision-making. Set an example by placing the good of the whole above your own. Be transparent and keep team members well-informed. Foster debate and value differing opinions throughout your organization. And, make sure you develop a vision that your employees can buy into and work toward together.

Making a Difference

If you want to make an impact as a leader, make a difference in the lives of your employees. Use communication as a means for sharing your wisdom with others while showing curiosity and appreciation for their opinions, skills, and knowledge. Develop mutual respect. Have the courage to stand behind your employees 100%. Encourage collaboration to achieve wonderful things. Engage in these leadership behaviors and you will be making a leadership difference.

Leadership, Motivation

Keeping Motivated

November 20, 2014 Liz Stincelli

“When you look at people who are successful, you will find that they aren’t the people who are motivated, but have consistency in their motivation.” —Arsene Wenger

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

The Problem

As leaders, we set the tone for motivation. The problem is, sometimes we struggle with keeping ourselves motivated. We can’t effectively motivate those we work with if we lack motivation ourselves. So, how do we stay motivated?

Attention

We must give motivation our conscious attention. Jim Rohn said, “Give whatever you are doing and whoever you are with the gift of your attention.” You should focus on increasing your strengths. Giving your attention to the areas you are strong in is more motivating than focusing on overcoming weaknesses. Look for opportunities that leverage your talents. Again, it’s easier to stay motivated at things you are good at. Set small measurable goals to help yourself keep your eye on the ball and then set deadlines. Purposefully create a practice that builds focusing on your goals into your daily routine. Determine what is important to you and why it is important. Then ask yourself if you want it bad enough to put in the hard work necessary to achieve it. Finally, identify where you are, where you want to go, and then focus your attention of what you need to do to get there.

Benefits

Napoleon Hill explained, “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” Being clear about the benefits is a big factor in motivation. Keeping the benefits in mind will help you to remain motivated when times get tough. Great successes are often preceded by obstacles and failure. Use these failures as learning opportunities, remind yourself of the benefits you will experience once you succeed, and keep moving forward.

Visualization

Harvey Mackay said, “I believe that visualization is one of the most powerful means of achieving personal goals.” It helps keep you motivated when you can literally see your goals. Many contribute much of their ability to achieve success to using a visualization board. You can remind yourself what all the hard work is for by creating a board that illustrates not just what you are working towards, but also why. It also helps to create a mantra that reinforces a positive mindset. A visualization board and mantra can be very effective because your brain responds to the way things make you feel, not the things or actions themselves. Get a clear vision of where you are going and then see yourself on the journey; that’s where your motivation will come from.

Consistency

Jim Ryun explained, “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” Consistent motivation is about thinking long-term. It requires conscious commitment. Your real motivation will come from having a clear vision what is important and why, and then developing the self- discipline that allows you to focus your attention on a consistent basis. It helps if you commit to your goals publically so you have a sense of accountability. Consistent motivation means you never let yourself become complacent and content with the how things are currently. Make the commitment to continuously motivate yourself to reach your goals and fulfill your dreams.

Keeping Motivated

Les Brown said, “Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way.” When you find your motivation is lacking, remember that what you did yesterday will not be sufficient tomorrow. You must fan the flames of motivation on a daily basis. Build attention to your goals into your daily schedule. Clearly identify the benefits you will experience. Use visualization and mantras to preserve the positive feelings of you purpose. And be consistent. The better you become, the easier it gets to keep motivated. It’s your life, you are in control. Once you learn to keep yourself motivated, then and only then, can you start motivating others.

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

Employee Advocate | Leadership Consultant | Author | Speaker