It is wonderful to feel motivated. It makes the task at hand, whatever it is, easier to accomplish. Your energy level increases, and you feel enthusiastic about what you are doing. There is a sense of excitement about what you are doing which makes it easier for you to focus on the task.

In contrast, you probably have had times of feeling unmotivated. Maybe it had to do with going to work, completing a class, meeting someone for lunch or doing the dishes. Sometimes it is a fleeting feeling; other times, it might last for days or weeks.

While different people are motivated by a variety of things, there are three decisions you can make that will help you be fully motivated. Decide to:

1. Be self-disciplined. When you are self-disciplined, you build self-respect. This self-respect, in turn, builds trust in your own ability. When you trust yourself, you are more confident and less anxious about what you are doing. When you are calmer, it is easier to focus on a task. If things get difficult as you move forward, you will have the patience to persevere.

2. Eliminate any limiting beliefs about yourself or the goal. Motivation comes from thoughts. You can only pursue what you think you deserve. Negative, self-doubting or undeserving thoughts are limiting and drain your energy. They must be removed because they can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

3. Focus on the long-term result or outcome you want. For instance, when you are thinking about what you want, asking yourself, "How do I get what I want?" is not helpful. This is a question about the process or the action steps required to get what you want. This question inevitably slows you down. Instead, if you ask, "What outcome or result do I want?" you will clarify what you need to do. Focusing on the result you want helps you to break your goal down into manageable steps.

If you find it difficult to make one or more of the above decisions, the following options are small, beginning steps you can take to move you in the right direction:

* Choose behaviors that match your words.

* Learn to say "no" to yourself when necessary.

* Visualize attaining the results or outcome you want in color (not the steps it took to get there); notice how you feel, look and sound.

* Decide to overcome the discomfort of short-term frustration or pain by focusing on the long-term results you want.

* Believe in your ability to learn and change.

As you think about specific areas of your life in which you want to feel more motivated, which decisions are easy for you to make and which are more of a challenge? Remember, a challenge is an opportunity for you to become the person you want to be. My hope is that you will be motivated to do the things that are most important to you.

About the Author

Maurine Patten, Ed.D., CMC, Maximize Your Possibilities http://www.PattenCoaching.com Mailto:mdpcoach@patencoaching.com More free information, EI and pre-retirement assessment, and ezine subscription at http://www.PattenCoaching.com