Keeping motivated is an issue everyone has to grapple with. Be it self motivation, employee motivation, student motivation, motivating children, motivating your team.. The most difficult part is when the going gets tough. That's when demotivation sets in. The motivated person will be able to ride the difficulties and see their dreams come true.
Keeping yourself motivated is the key to long term success and worthwhile accomplishment. Here are some reasons behind achieving sustainable motivation, that will fulfill dreams and make goals a reality.
1. Have a strong reason why. Know why you want to accomplish what you are doing. Examine the consequences if you did not do, and attach a meaning behind what you are doing. The reason why high school dropouts, when they finally turn around, is because they have tasted and experienced the consequence of lack of motivation in their lives. It is because they want to achieve a turnaround and experience success that they are motivated to achieve. A strong emotion has been attached to ie- perhaps pain, and they have a strong reason to change. Victor Frankl, agreed with the philosopher Nietszche that he who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how. At the heart of his theory is the belief that whatever personal circumstances, what keeps us going is the meaning we find in living. Frankl noted that people who had hope of being reunited with loved ones or who had projects they needed to complete or who had great faith tended to have a better chance at survival than those who did not have a reason or had little to keep them from going through the difficulties. The belief and the meaning and the reason for living on belief helped him survive the camps against all odds when millions others perished under the harsh conditions. To keep yourself motivated therefore, create a strong reason for yourself.
2. Set yourself up for success. As human beings, success breeds success. And nothing is sweeter than the taste of accomplishment. We need to experience and know that we can succeed. We get about the same boost from small as well as from big accomplishments. This phenomenon is strange but true. Small victories are often the most fulfilling. The spirit is nurtured by accomplishment. Whether we win big or small does not matter- the fact is, you have accomplished and achieved something significant that we have set out to do and you have tasted success.
3. Contribute to something significant. Most of us have a need to create something positive, to contribute, to pursue a cause in which we can see that that what we are doing is worthwhile. That it is not wasted effort. There is value in what we are doing. And that fulfills the need to contribute to something significant. This is an inherent need in all of us. Fill that need. Motivation will soar when it is seen that there is something positive to give.
4. Create your own goals.If you are leading a group and they are not really motivated, let them create their own goals. It could be students in classroom, employees, your children, your family, your group in the community. By creating and being part of the goal-setting process, you and each individual will have a sense of contribution and have ownership of the goal. When the goal, no matter how small, becomes a reality there is a sense of personal achievement. The future is shaped and a difference is made because they have created the goal and the outcome. This goal setting exercise with personal involvement then also enhances morale. Within the team, it and builds team spirit.
5. Be positively dissatisfied. Dissatisfied people are highly motivated people. Why are so many high school dropouts motivated to achieved great success? Because they have experienced and tasted the need for immediate change. They become highly motivated when they awake to the realities and become dissatisfied with being high school drop out and they become motivated to change. On the other hand, dissatisfaction can lead to negative change and one must beware of letting it lead to discouragement and criticism. Dissatisfaction which leads positive action is the key.
6. Appreciate your own efforts � and appreciate the efforts of others. The need to be appreciated and recognized is deep. Although it is not a prerequisite for internal motivation, when you are recognized for your talent or effort, motivation level certainly increase and makes you want to accomplish more. Do give your employees, students, friends recognition. It will certainly go a long way.
7. Have clear expectations When you are clear on what you have to accomplish, responsibilities clearly defined, then there will be more sense of control over what can or needs to be accomplished, less confusion and disappointment.
Take steps now towards increasing your value and motivation to accomplish your project, your work, and create the life of your dreams. Remind yourself of the reason and meaning behind what you are doing. Create a mission, a reason, a vision. Give yourself a reason strong enough, that touches them at the core, if possible. Be positively dissatisfied with the current situation. Set your own goals, recognize your efforts and set yourself up for success. Work becomes play, when there is a mission to be accomplished that is worthwhile, achievable and recognized.

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May is passionate about helping others achieve the life of their dreams. Get your inspirational resources at http://www.successinspired.com . Live, love, be, do and have. Get your free report on attracting success at : http://www.wisdomofgettingwealthy.com/rights/attractionaccelerator.pdf


Alternatives to emotions
Ever since the 1960s, most of us (old enough to remember) have been encouraged to express our emotions. To get them out into the open. To 'let it all hang out'. Well, sure, as an antidote to the buttoned-down society we had back then, it was probably good advice. But is it still helpful? Has sharing your emotions done you much good lately? Is it time to reconsider that 'hippy' philosophy? Is there a new lesson we need to learn?
After all, most people have little idea what an emotion is, and what it's for. Above all, they don't stop to think where they come from. Most assume that emotions are all a case of 'cause and effect'. Something happens, you 'feel' something, right? You meet the love of your life, you fall in love, that sort of thing. Okay, let's look at a practical example. You're walking down the road and you stub your toe on a paving slab. You curse, you gasp, you limp away. But what are you feeling? Well, obvious, you say. You're angry and you plan to sue the City Council or whoever else you can blame for your accident. You're aggrieved, then? Also, you're worried about being late for your appointment. Doesn't that rather depend? If you're hurrying on your way to the dentist, some delay, any diversion, might be welcome. But, hey, you've had an accident. Doesn't that ruin your day? Well, maybe, but it might depend on whether it's raining or not.
You see, there are all sorts of things that affect our emotions. The weather, for one. If it was a nice, sunny day, and you were on your way to something pleasant, like a lunch with a loved one, that stubbed toe might not be enough to break your mood. You might grimace, shrug your shoulders and move on. If it was raining, it might be a different story. If you'd forgotten your umbrella and were already feeling wet, the pavement trip might just be the 'last straw'. Or another straw, at least. Suppose you paused, holding your damaged foot and a passing car swept up water from the gutter all over your shoes? That might make you feel even worse, and just about make you ready to call it a day and retreat home.
So, bad weather can affect our emotions. And the feeling we had when we set out. And thinking about what might be coming up next. Well, that's a problem. If we stub our toe and start screaming, is that a 'genuine' emotion? Maybe right then, sure, but if we'd been feeling better, it wouldn't have been the end of the world. And if there were more important things to worry about � What if we were on our way to collect a Lottery cheque? Would we allow ourselves to get totally downhearted and cancel our trip? Not likely! The lure of money would get us there, limping, crawling or even in an ambulance. Either way, any way, we'd get there!
Oh yeah, you agree. No doubt. Winning the Lottery would cheer anyone up. Would it? If a man won a million dollars, that sounds like good news, right? What if he'd just been told that his child had a terrible disease and the full course of treatment would cost TWO million dollars? I know, I know, that's an outlandish example, but be honest � haven't you ever been sat in a bar with a friend telling you that 'you're lucky' but somehow, at the same time, you feel like all the troubles of the world are resting on your shoulders? No, let's face it, our emotions don't just pop into our heads by 'cause and effect'. Some come out of nowhere, and many can't be relied upon. Look, if you're on top of a building and a howling wind is threatening to hurl you over the edge, you're fully justified in feeling scared. That's downright helpful. Maybe you'll even 'listen to your heart' and keep away from the edge. But if your 'inner voice' is telling you to jump, or not to accept the next job offer, or move in with your new partner, or take the holiday you've been promising yourself, then some thing's wrong. As the old saying goes, 'Feel the fear and do it anyway'. Your subconscious is trying to tell you that there might be risks. They're right. Now ignore it. Go ahead. Take the risk. You'll be better off.
And listen to your friends. When they say how 'lucky' you are, there's always the chance that they might be right. You got a good job, a nice house and a loving family, why the hell you feeling so bad? 'It's just the way I feel', you whine. Check it out. You're whining, that's all, and that's never an attractive characteristic. You need more than that 'inner feeling' to ensure that you're living in the real world. Look around. If the sun is shining, then who knows? It might be that it really is a nice day.

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Mike Scantlebury is an Internet Author, not just a bossy person. He has written books, stories and educational material, which can be found on Lulu.com and FreeIQ. He also has videos on YouTube. If you want to get to know him - and we don't just mean Facebook - then try his website, that's http://www.mikescantlebury.info


Self Awareness is a Personal Understanding
Self-awareness is the explicit understanding that one exists, as an individual, separate from other people, with private thoughts, with the understanding that other people are also similarly self-aware.
Self-awareness is a personal understanding of the very core of one's own identity. It is during periods of self-awareness that people get the closest to knowing themselves objectively.
Self-awareness plays a large role in behavior, as it is common to act differently when people are in a crowd. It is the basis for human traits, such as accountability and conscientiousness. Self-awareness affects people in varying degrees, as some people self-monitor themselves more than others.
Self-awareness is the recognition of our personality, our strengths and weaknesses, our likes and dislikes. Developing self-awareness can help us to recognise when we are stressed or under pressure. It is also often a prerequisite for effective communication and interpersonal relations, as well as for developing empathy for others.
When you know who you are, you may have to change; and some people just do not want to change because changing demands effort. Self-awareness requires honesty and courage, to get in touch with what we are thinking and feeling and to face the truth about ourselves.

The better you understand yourself, the better you are able to accept or change who you are. Being in the dark about yourself means that you will continue to get caught up in your own internal struggles and allow outside forces to mould and shape you.
The starting point should be the knowledge of oneself as a unique individual and how one relates to this new world. The clarity with which you can answer these questions: Who am I? Where have I been? Where am I going? will determine your capability to chart your own destiny and realise your potential.

In your quest to know yourself, do not think of yourself more highly than you are, rather have a realistic view of your strengths. On the other hand, do not exaggerate your weaknesses and look down on yourself. Also, do not excuse or rationalise your weaknesses. We need a realistic view of both our strengths and weaknesses if we are to know our true selves.
How we see ourselves may be clouded by the feedback messages we received about ourselves from others. But how could anyone know more about you than you? They do not feel your emotions or think your thoughts; they do not face the issues that you wrestled with. No one could know you better than you. Therefore, do not let others look down on you.
Remember what I said earlier that some people may not be prepared to face the truth about themselves. This may be true of you. Therefore, you must be prepared to listen to others, especially significant others and allow them to jolt you to re-examine your own perceived self-image.
There are no perfect people and there are no perfect parents. Nevertheless, from a practical viewpoint, our parents, who gave birth to us have the opportunity to observe us at close quarters over many years, would have a clearer insight of our character than anybody else. You don't have to accept their views but at least listen to them.
With the following questions you can start your personal process of self awareness, think about the questions carefully, before formulating your answers and then write down your answers, so that you can review them afterwards, in your own private moments and maybe add more substance to the answers.
Can you describe your personality? If yes, then write it down
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
How do your friends describe you?
Do you agree with their descriptions? Why or why not?
List two situations when you are most at ease.
What specific elements were present when you felt that way?
What types of activities did you enjoy doing when you were a child?
What about now?
What motivates you? Why?
What are your dreams for the future?
What steps are you taking to achieve your dreams?
What do you fear most in your life? Why?
What stresses you?
What is your typical response to stress?
What qualities do you like to see in people? Why?
Do you have many friends as you just described? Why or why not?
When you disagree with someone's viewpoint, what would you do?
Now you will have, maybe for the first time in your life, written down in front of you, who you are and what you think about yourself.
Review what you have said and highlight the things that you do not like about yourself, think about how you can change the things that you do not want to be. Once you have completed reviewing your personal assessment of yourself, sit down with a person that you really trust and discuss what you have written about yourself.
You will be surprised how good a feeling you get when you do this, you will have a sense of lightness and relief, you will laugh a lot and you will start to make actions for the future, your future, your life, your dreams and your destiny.
Now that you know yourself, everything is possible, use your imagination, enjoy yourself, life is good.