Category Archives: Motivation

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different habit

Start a Different Habit to Change Your Outcome

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Maybe you simply need a different habit? Is that the pathway for change?

If you are hungry and grab a candy bar what is the lasting effect? What if when you want that candy bar you grab a piece of fruit or some carrots instead?

No rocket science here, right? In fact, it all sounds kind of boring.

Imagine though, what if you started to change some of your basic ways of doing things?

What if you took a walk instead of responding to something nasty on social media?

What if you called a friend to ask them about their day instead of complaining about your own?

Imagine if you could find a way to trade anger for delight.

Replace one thing, with something different. Conceptually it isn’t really that hard.

Why aren’t you doing it?

Different Habit

In general, most people tend to follow the path of least resistance. When they tire, and want to slow down, they want it easy, not hard.

It’s easier to flop down on the couch instead of taking out the garbage.

Why walk six blocks when you can drive a car there instead?

Don’t park at the empty spots way furthest away from the store, fight for a spot as close as possible.

Easier, requiring less energy and less effort.

Even in social skills. It is easier to not listen than it is to concentrate on what someone is saying.

Having the discipline to make a difference starts with personal choice.

It is how different outcomes magically appear.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.


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new journey

New Journey, Does It Happen Every Day?

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Are you on a new journey? Have you ever felt stuck, or feel like you’re at the end? Perhaps not everything is as it first appears.

Late May or early June is typically about graduation. Young kids from grade school, teenagers from high school and those who have completed certificates or degrees in college. It signals the end.

It might also be true for wedding season. While marriages are a bond and are visionary for what lies ahead, they also include an ending. The ending of the single life and the old ways of navigation.

We see many other endings in life. Selling a car, leaving an apartment, or selling a home.

Most of these things represent a chosen path. A conscious ending point, a milestone.

In some cases, we seem to be more reflective of the end, instead of a new beginning.

New Journey

Is a graduation ceremony a marker for the end of a journey, or the celebration of a new one?

A similar question might be asked about a wedding or starting a new job.

What is the feeling at sunrise or sunset? A new beginning, closure?

It seems that when something signals a perception of ending, we take a breath, we reflect, and then we start to prepare for the next chapter in life.

There may be cause to celebrate, or even to mourn.

Yesterday something ended, perhaps it felt like just another day. Once in a while though, there will be a bigger event. Something that will be recognized as a marker, a turning point, an opportunity for what is next.

For most cases a new journey starts right after the ending of a different one.

Instead of focusing on what is over, remind yourself to focus on what is about to unfold.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.


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sharing motivation

Sharing Motivation Might Be Different Than You Think

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Are you in the habit of sharing motivation? In other words, when you see something that motivates you, do you extend your hand in an attempt to inspire others? Does it work?

You can start with some questions? What gets you pumped up? What energizes you, springs you to action, and keeps you going even during extreme challenges?

Golden Rule and Music

Many people live by the golden rule. It’s actually very much appreciated by most people. It seems to make sense.

In essence, treat others as you would like to be treated.

That converts to, if this would motivate me, I’ll use that as a tool to motivate others.

Does this work? Sometimes.

The golden rule applied to motivation often runs out of steam quickly. Different people are motivated in different ways.

Some people claim that music motivates them. Cranking out a little Eminem might motivate some, but it probably won’t really be a hit with those who have Elevation Worship near the top of their playlist.

That’s okay. It just means that the inspiration or motivation comes from different places or styles. It may also be conditioned by values and beliefs. The theory that music motivates might be a good one, the same genre might not.

Whether it is music, sunshine, or a little friendly competition, what motivates one, won’t motivate all.

Sharing Motivation

People are motivated intrinsically or extrinsically. In a general sense, most people are some of both, yet they tend to favor one side or the other.

When it comes to the workplace and job performance it is always important to consider the motivational factors of the people. An extended hand for a path is quite a bit different from a forced hand.

Can you force motivation? Sure, but you may not like the long-term results. Forcing motivation happens by creating fear. Fear springs people to action but the long-term consequences seldom make it worthwhile.

Perhaps you need to tweak your mindset to searching for what motivates others rather than assuming what motivates you should work for everyone?

It is an easy trap to fall into.

There are plenty of ways to figure out what gets others moving. You may want to start by asking them. Which by the way, don’t be fooled by the money motivator response.

Money is the means to an end for most people. Support my family, buy a car, pay the rent, get groceries. The motivator is often something different from the end result.

-DEG

Need some help with workplace motivation? This virtual training seminar may be for you, Creating a Motivational Climate.

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.


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next steps forward

Next Steps Forward Start Early and Start Often

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Are you concentrating on your next steps forward or are you still caught up in the past? Everyone has a story, yet, time is still moving everyone forward.

As 2020 comes to a close people are often reflective of what went wrong, what twisted and turned, and all the things that were out of control. Regardless of how much trauma occurred somethings are still poised for forward motion.

There are sales funnels that can still be tapped, there are educational opportunities that expand minds, skills, and broaden opportunity. Along the way there have been new projects, different angles, and changing approaches.

Consider doors that have opened, doors knocked on, and doors left ajar. Connections that have been reestablished, built from scratch, or simply stumbled upon.

Young trees take years to bear fruit. It is often true for businesses and careers too.

All of these things provide opportunity for what will happen in the future.

Next Steps Forward

The best time to start preparing for what your business or career will like next year, or in two or three years, is right now.

Every moment spent wallowing in the aftermath of things gone wrong is a moment that you are not preparing for what comes next.

A new season is about to begin.

In rural areas, farmers will begin to think of the crops for the next season. The seeds that they’ll plant, the cultivation they’ll do, and the harvest that they will yield.

Whether you are rural, urban, or somewhere in between the race is on and it often rewards those who start early.

Don’t waste any more time.

The best time for next steps is right now.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.


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workplace streaks

Workplace Streaks Lead to Greater Success

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Does the success of any business or entrepreneurial adventure depend upon workplace streaks? What matters more, the one and done, or the approach applied often across time?

The chatter is often about habits. Break a bad habit, revise a mediocre habit, or build new habits.

Habits are often connected with persistence. A person’s knowledge, skills, and abilities put to use across time.

Luck happens. A lucky break, an unlucky situation, or sometimes people believe that their luck has run out.

Each day people enter their workplace. A plush office, a hard concrete plant floor, or a makeshift desk on your kitchen island.

Regardless of where you go, or where you stay, whether it is indoors or outdoors, in your home or across town, you likely operate from a pattern of repetitive tasks.

Some professions are more mixed than others. Some people base their day on tactical approaches to addressing the next emergency. Others analyze and crunch data, plan the next strategy, or test their theory of something new.

All of it is based on patterns. Patterns of behavior or ways of doing things.

Repetitively, over and over again.

Workplace Streaks

In sports people often look to identify streaks. Three wins in a row, or two consecutive championships.

Success in the workplace often develops from streaks. The process of applying behaviors, habits, or ways of doing things.

Workplace streaks are often not about perfection as much as they are about the pursuit. Consistent persistence. The American folktale tale of The Little Engine That Could applies even in the grown-up world.

The bigger picture across time.

In a single day, it may be hard to see change. Efforts that you’ll apply during the next year may clearly show results.

You can’t do a few pushups once a month and expect a significant change in your health or fitness. Pushups done each day for six months will make a difference.

Get on a streak. Keep it moving every day.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.


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job changes

Job Changes Always Mean Opportunity

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There is always change. No matter what the calendar illustrates as the current year, there are changes. Job changes are commonplace. Are they for the better?

Everyone’s job changes. Things shift, requirements transform, and the needs of the customer often get more demanding.

That means your job will change.

Habits are hard to break. Good or bad. Chances are great that what you’ll do today is connected to a habit.

A habit is something that you are familiar with. It is often a pattern, a collection of recurring choices which lead to pathways that lead to outcomes.

People have a morning habit, a dinner habit, and even a weekend habit. Get some coffee, have some left-overs, visit the recycle center.

Regardless of how loose or how fitting, you find your life is connected to a lot of habits.

Job Changes

Do you love your job? Do you get inspired by your work? Are you hoping for more opportunity, tougher challenges, and a chance to really show what you’ve got?

When you find a reason to commit to doing your best work your interest level changes. You develop more energy and appreciate the feeling of a job well done. It can happen with your chores at home or your daily grind at the workplace.

It is about what you do. It’s your habit.

This is true because when someone tries to change your flow, you’re probably not happy.

People often say, “I don’t know what I want to do when I grow up.”

Maybe they are doing it. Maybe you are doing it. Right now.

Every job change, every pivot, shift, or revamp is your opportunity.

When you commit to engagement, you’ll develop more satisfaction. When change is an opportunity, you’ll find reasons to embrace it.

It’s easy to love what you do.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.


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Competitive motivation

Competitive Motivation Keeps Things Rolling

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Selling is often considering to be about winning. Convincing another party to exchange money for a good or service. It’s commerce. Do you believe in competitive motivation?

McDonald’s and Burger King might have something going on. Don’t forget about Wendy’s and Carl’s Jr., they have a few things in common. Then there is Domino’s, Papa John’s, and Marco’s Pizza.

Businesses who are front runners tend to not like the threat of another player. New players like chasing the front runner.

Could there be some motivation hidden here?

When the football, baseball, or soccer teams hit the field we recognize both are out to win, and only one will. Any kind of tie feels better than a loss, but it is still not a win. It makes overtime even more attractive.

The idea of winning is inspirational. It’s motivational.

Competition may not always be people or businesses.

Competition can be about numbers, metrics, or a system.

Employee teams can aspire to beat the previous record, exceed goal, or overcome a distinct disadvantage.

What we focus on is what we get.

Competitive Motivation

There are some interesting aspects connected to the motivation created by competition. One such aspect is that when the competition knows you’re watching it may give them an advantage.

It may bring about decoy’s, the threat of exposed trade secrets, or espionage.

It could also start a war for talent. Bring on non-compete clauses, wage hikes, and package deals.

How do you size up competitive motivation?

Chances are good that it is keeping you moving.

Roll on.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.


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best starts

Best Starts Come From Where You Are At

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Seed money is nice. It gives you a better chance for a stronger start. A head start in the foot race might be nice too. Realistically, the best starts come from recognizing where you are at and getting to where you are going.

Small and large businesses alike spend much energy and resources on carefully crafting their mission and vision. Then they build a brand around it.

It should be true for successful professionals too.

What is your mission? What is your vision?

People often want to highlight the disadvantages. They may not have strengths in certain areas, or what they want to do may not exactly fit with what they need to do.

Great Visualizers

The best athletes visualize their success. They visualize the perfect dive and stroke in swimming. The perfect swing in baseball or golf. And for the track athlete, it’s getting off the blocks perfectly.

Many people talk about great starts. Great starts matter. They’re also conditioned on starting where you are at. In other words, everyone has an individual starting point. Amateurs can’t expect to start at the Pro level.

Visualizing where you are at and where you want to go may lead to a good start.

Where do you belief the best starts come from?

Best Starts

For everyone, in your business or in your career, you have to start at the beginning. Where ever the beginning is for you, that’s where you start.

You can’t expect to start at the top. You can’t expect a head start.

Know and understand your mission. Have a stretchy, yet appropriate vision. Consider things will need a certain amount of fluidity. Not everything is carved in stone, nor is it black and white.

Best starts come from where you are at. They follow your mission and vision.

You’ll get better along the way.

Get started.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.


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leaning forward

Leaning Forward or Falling Backward?

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It is a difficult time, for everyone. The choices you make now will definitely make a difference. Are you leaning forward?

I’ve participated in many Zoom meetings recently. I watch a little bit of news, and read a bunch too. Ask anyone, you’ll probably hear that it is not a good time.

You still have choices though. You have the choice about whether you will act or react, follow or lead, or simply stay stuck.

Many people have suggested that it is not about how many times you fall; it is about how many times you get back up.

Here are a few important tips for navigating this difficult time:

  • News Sparingly. Watch, read, or listen to the news sparingly. Don’t completely avoid it, and don’t binge watch it. Get updates and get out of it.
  • Plan. Plan for what will happen next, and I’m not talking about doom and gloom. There will be another side to this pandemic. Where and how will you position yourself?
  • Appreciate. If you have some down time, use it wisely. Stop the music for a few minutes and just take life in. Consider what is precious, dear, and most meaningful about life. Cherish what you have and take a deep breath.

When you limit the negativity entering your mind you will find that you think clearer, have less anxiety, and can focus on what is in front you.

Leaning Forward

The very near future may look a little rough. However, what you focus on now will define what happens next.

Everyone has a choice to believe. It will guide what happens next for you.

I’m leaning forward, ready to accelerate.

What about you?

Make the choice for leaning forward.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.


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stuck waiting

Stuck Waiting Won’t Get You Very Far

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Needless to say, it is a very interesting time. Many people feel like they are stuck waiting.

Stuck waiting for what?

People are stuck waiting for the virus to clear, the stay in your home to be lifted, or for the government to do something about it.

Others are healing, trying to quell their nerves and stop the worry.

Still others are working, some are working harder and with more dedication than they ever realized they had.

For everyone who feels like life is on a timeout, what will you do? If you are career minded what are you doing now? If you’re running a small business that is temporarily disabled what is most effective right now?

Perhaps you take a break for a day, maybe two, but then you don’t stop. A shut down doesn’t mean you’re knocked out. Even if the business you worked for or the business you owned may not reopen it isn’t over.

How will you spend your time, right now?

Stuck Waiting

Spending time to worry isn’t going to change anything. What is your alternative?

The alternative is to start focusing on the future. Make no mistake, things are going to change. The future will be different, a new normal.

Your thought pattern shouldn’t be focused on getting back to normal it should be focused on what does the new normal look like?

Consider all of your life experiences, your knowledge, your skills, and your abilities. How will you put them to use in the future? What strengths do you have and how can you build on those?

Today may be the first day of something new.

How are you going to arrive?

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.


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