It's time for fresh beginnings. Ask yourself, "What is it like to work around here?" or "What is it like to live my life?"  Your answers will help you understand how you are viewing the worlds around you.  Do you like what you see?  If not, what would you like your environments to look and feel like?  Paint yourself a picture and imagine how fulfilled, productive and happy you would be.  Now for the tough question, what does it take to make your vision come to fruition?  There is a one word answer - motivation.

Where does motivation come from?  Motivation comes from within an individual.  No one can motivate anyone to do anything they do not want to do.  If someone truly wants to make changes in their life, they will do what it takes to make them.  They get and stay motivated.  This is where the phrase, "If there is a will, there is a way." derived. You have to want something strongly enough before you are willing to make a change.  If you wait for someone or something to change, you may never get the results you want and need.  It is up to you to do something different, to make something different happen.
 
When you are fulfilled professionally and personally, your customers, co-workers, friends and family become a part of the ripple effect.  Your environments become healthy and positive. Negative energy is reduced, and morale, productivity, improved relationships and a better quality of life are increased.  You will have less stress and drama when you choose to make healthier and wiser choices.  Work and life become fun and more rewarding for you, and everyone around you. 
 
If you, your organization or home are experiencing negative energy, complacency or burnout, attitudes and performances can be reignited by addressing the following seven questions:
 

1. How open-minded is each individual to self-awareness and personal growth?

2. What best practices are in place to empower self-directed teams and individual growth?

3. How effective are front-line supervisors and managers as coaches and team leaders?

 
4. What communication strategies are in place?

 
5. What goals, accountability and performance measurements are implemented?

  
6. What customer, employee and personal growth feedback and support mechanisms are utilized? 

 
7. At the end of the day, does each individual feel appreciated and valued? 
 

There are many effective strategies that can encourage motivating and fulfilling environments. If someone is motivated, they will embrace the strategies and take action. When you take the initiative to make positive changes in your work or personal life, you will get motivated, do better and achieve success.  If you let life control you and become complacent, you will not grow and prosper.  Ask yourself, "Do I consistently get out of bed each morning looking forward to work and my life?". This is your life to control and enjoy; live it in a way that will keep you from having regrets.  It's never too late to get happy!

To you getting and staying motivated this year,

Nancy

Looking Forward!