Staying motivated is critical to everything we do in life and work.
Yet, we all know how difficult it is to stay motivated for each day, each meeting, each project, each game, each element of our everyday lives. But, the very best leaders, teams, relationships, and entire organizations are the ones that continuously find new ways to stay motivated, to stay rooted in purpose.
Motivation is a funny thing. When we have it, there is hardly anything in the world that can stop us. When it’s lacking, everything is more challenging. This is why motivation is so important in all we do.
So, how can we keep this motivation thing anyhow?
Zig Ziglar, the famous motivational speaker and business consultant, was once asked about this elusive thing we call “motivation.” A man who had been to a number of his speeches in the past approached him and expressed how inspirational his presentations had been and how much he had learned and taken away to apply in his own life and business. But, if he was honest, he often got discouraged by the fact that his motivation seemed to fade away after a few weeks. He needed to go right to the source to find out what Zig thought about the fact that his motivation faded away over time.
Zig’s response, “Of Course It Does.”
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing — that’s why we recommend it daily.”
We like to believe that motivation can be taken in a pill or we just get one shot of motivation in the arm and that should last a lifetime. The reality, we need it daily. We bathe daily because we get dirty daily. We eat daily because our foods require energy daily. Motivation and inspiration are no different. The most motivated individuals, teams and organizations on the planet may have a burning desire deep within, but they still have to find new ways each day to stay motivated to do the work, to prepare, to perform.
You’ve already heard What Scares Me About Motivational Speakers, but as someone who gives many keynote speeches across the country and around the world, I hope my words are always motivating. And let me let you in on a little secret, I need to stay motivated too. Yep, even the person giving the motivational speech also needs to make time to stay focused, motivated, and passionate about the messages. Even the person giving the message needs to be growing, learning, and returning regularly to the purpose of their work. I’m very lucky that I do have an authentic passion burning within me, but just like bathing, it requires daily attention.
Speeches are the experiences where seeds are planted and new ways of thinking are discovered and stimulated. They are the conversations that are the currency for change. Then, as I often do with many teams and organizations I work with, we take the next steps to make sure we’re bathing every day and continuing to water, nurture, and grow the seeds that are necessary to develop the leaders and culture that is desired. It takes daily attention. The best people and places invest in the continuous ethic of development. The best teams and offices understand that growing an engaged culture takes consistent focus on building authentic relationships, cultivating clarity of mission, and providing experiences that motivate each other. They are committed to engaging the minds and hearts of all involved.
Questions For Your Journey
- In what ways do you “Bathe” to stay motivated in your life and work?
- What would help motivate your team or organization for the road ahead?
- What can you do to help engage the minds and hearts of those around you?
Good luck on the next leg of your journey! Perhaps we should all go take a bath.
Travel Gracefully,
Jason
Jason Barger is a globally celebrated author, keynote speaker, and leadership consultant. More importantly, he’s striving to be an above average father, husband, and friend.
Follow on Twitter @JasonVBarger and learn more at JasonVBarger.com
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