Motivation!

[fossfield]

When working by yourself a key attribute you will need in order to become successful is motivation. When working in a team there are various motivators to help, such as not wanting to let others down, possibly an air of competition, a need to make yourself look good. However, when working by yourself it becomes more difficult to self-motivate.

So how do you overcome the procrastination, the need to put the kettle on and make that cup of tea before writing yet another article to drive traffic to your website? Luckily for me, my partner is a Psychotherapist and spends her life motivating others, so she is able to give me a few clues as to what works and what doesn't.
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The main thing to remember is to visualise what it will feel like once you've accomplished whatever you are setting out to accomplish. So, how will it feel when you have submitted the article and seen a direct response as a result? Visualise opening your bank statement at the end of the month and seeing that positive figure, with possibly another nought or three tagged on the end. Never get dragged down by all those things you need to do. Simply write down what you need to do, then concentrate on the most important bit first. This might be the thing you least enjoy doing, but if it's what will bring in the returns, don't procrastinate and think of how you'll feel once you've accomplished it. Things then become easier as you tick actions off your list – and therefore more enjoyable.

The brain, apparently, is an expert at procrastination if it doesn't know how to do something. So accessing the knowledge of experts already in the field (via forums) allows you to move swiftly onward. If you sit thinking about things for too long it causes a block, any action is good, so simply ask a question via a forum to start getting results.

All the way through, think of the end result. If you see a very steep hill in front of you and imagine each painful step up to the summit that will instantly demotivate you. However, imagine what it will be like stepping onto the summit before you've take the first step - your journey will become so much easier.

So stay focused and be motivated!

[greg2010]

Glad to read this post. Motivation should be accompanied with optimism.

[marksinclair]

I've found that you can't motivate others, nor can others motivate you. It truly has to come from within. Anything else just isn't the same.

[LizinMidwest]

When I was in college and would occasionally panic at what had to be done in a small amount of time, I kept telling myself, in two weeks (or whatever) this will all be over. No matter how bad it is right now, in two weeks it will be over. I tell my two oldest this (they're in college) and I think it helps.

I also tend to forget things, or pieces of what I need to do. For me, making a list is key. And even though I have a fancy computerized program, I really do better with pen and paper. Of course, then I have to find the stupid thing on my desk...

[LizinMidwest]

I forgot to add that I do like to read, upon occasion, books written by the professionals. I have friends who swear by the Getting Things Done method, and I've done some reading there. For me, it helps with the procrastination problem (though I must say, as a former newspaper person, a deadline REALLY helps! I lived by those for so many years that I understand those completely), and with organizing my day. A new one I'm enjoying is Michael Linenberger's (
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. He divides tasks into four "urgency zones" so you see what's really important and, just as importantly to me, what's a false urgency, so to speak. Since I like lists, and respond well to them, I like his Workday Master To-Do List, so the important ones are visible and doable. (I woke up in a panic last night about something I'd forgotten to do -- I just absolutely hate that. This is helping me get over that.)

I also wanted to add to an earlier poster, that I agree -- money in the bank is a powerful motivator!

[LizinMidwest]

Here's another motivating factor -- the headline I just saw on Huffington Post "Record Unemployment in 5 States." Yikes.

[Joric2010]

I also think the difference in working with a team is that you are working on the teams schedule. When its just you, its YOUR schedule, making it easier to procrastinate.

[Joric2010]

Here's another motivating factor -- the headline I just saw on Huffington Post "Record Unemployment in 5 States." Yikes.

I have much better motivation than a headline. I am the subject of the headline. My wife and I are just starting our venture because of lack of full time employment. As a result, I am doing whatever odd jobs come along some of which are rather distasteful. The sooner we can get an income started, the sooner I will be done with manual labor.

[LizinMidwest]

I hope for good luck for you soon -- my husband's job is fairly secure (knock on wood several times). But I'm not. Anything could happen. Best of luck -- I did manual labor in college. No fun.

[startinbusiness]

Motivation is one key to a successful business.. together with discipline and optimism, business will surely bloom..
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