How To Motivate Yourself in 60 Seconds

Economy got you down? Making quota looks unlikely? Don't despair. If you're not at the top of your game, you can re-motivate and re-energize by asking yourself the following five questions:

QUESTION #1: Do I have an unrealistic timetable? Explanation: Success is usually achieved one step at a time and big successes usually take longer than small successes.
Fix: Be patient with yourself and resist the temptation to compare your progress to that of others.

QUESTION #2: Am I truly committed? Explanation: if you're going to be successful, you need to be willing to do whatever it takes (within legal and ethical bounds, of course!).
Fix: Banish any thought of giving up before you accomplish your objective. Just do it.

QUESTION #3: Do I have too many discouraging influences? Explanation: If you hang around with people who are highly critical or who are doing very little in their own lives, your energy and enthusiasm will be drained.
Fix: Decide to surround yourself with people who support and believe in you. Then do it.

QUESTION #4: Am I preparing to succeed? Explanation: If you're not improving your sales skills and business acumen, you're gradually losing your edge.
Fix: Take a step to learn something that will help you accomplish your goal. Buy a book or a tape, or set yourself up to network with highly successful people in your field.

QUESTION #5: Am I truly willing to fail? Explanation: In most cases, you will encounter setbacks before you finally succeed.
Fix: Decide that failure is an unavoidable yet vital component in your quest for success.

The above is based upon a conversation with Jeff Keller, author of the bestselling book Attitude is Everything.