Beat the Mid-Year Motivation Slump

Zig Ziglar, a man considered the greatest motivator of all time, once said, “People often say motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing; that’s why we recommend it daily.”

Although motivation encompasses the reasons we have for acting or behaving a certain way, many of us confuse motivation with inspiration. While inspiration starts on the inside and works its way out, motivation starts on the outside and works its way in.

However, it’s not a permanent state. That’s why we must follow Zig’s advice and work on it every day.

5 Ways to Get and Stay Motivated

Foster the right mindset. Staying motivated is a daily job, but when you’ve cultivated the right mindset, it becomes a normal part of the day. Instead of succumbing to negativity, fill your mind with positive information, including books and podcasts. Some of the most innovative and influential business leaders have written about their journeys to success; read their work or listen to the audiobook. The more positive information you consume, the higher your motivation will be.

Set goals. As Napoleon Hill wrote, “A goal is a dream with a deadline.” Set a goal and you’ll be motivated to work toward achieving it each day. Be specific. Ask yourself: 1. What do I really want? 2. What do I need to achieve it? 3. What are my next steps? This will narrow your focus and help you rekindle your motivation when you need it.

Seek accountability. Defined as the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions, accountability can help you achieve more than you had anticipated. Although you may be able to hold yourself accountable to a degree, it’s more effective to have an accountability partner. For example, if you want to lose five pounds, team up with an accountability partner to meet you at the gym. You can keep each other motivated and ensure you stick to your new healthy habits.

For the ultimate accountability partner, get a coach. A coach will not only hold you accountable to your goals; they’ll also help you set realistic goals in the first place. If you’ve begun to veer off track, a coach can help you assess what’s happening, and keep you motivated to succeed.

Commit to tracking. Tracking is measuring the steps taken as a means to an end. It’s an objective standard that allows you to see how you’re doing and assess how close you are to reaching your goals. For most of us, the feeling of progress and the progress you see when you objectively measure aren’t the same.

For example, you may feel as if you’re knocking your lead generation out of the park; however, if you review the information you’ve tracked, you may notice that you’ve only made three calls in the last four days. The more you review your progress, the more motivated you’ll be, whether it’s to get back on track to reach your goals or to set your sights even higher.

Share your motivation. If you follow these steps each day, you’ll become an example to those around you who wish to become more successful. Share your goals and encourage others to set and share their goals, too. Supporting your friends, family and colleagues will not only benefit them; it’ll help you stay motivated along your own success journey.

Brian Buffini was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and immigrated to San Diego in 1986, where he became the classic American rags to riches story. After becoming one of the nation’s top REALTORS®, he founded Buffini & Company, an organization dedicated to sharing his powerful lead-generation systems with others. Based in Carlsbad, Calif., Buffini & Company has trained over 3 million business professionals in 37 countries and currently coaches more than 25,000 business people across North America. Today, Brian’s a New York Times best-selling author and reaches over 1 million listeners a year through his popular “Brian Buffini Show” podcast. For more information, pick up a copy of his latest book “The Emigrant Edge,” or visit www.buffiniandcompany.com.