The inner bastard is omnipresent. There are times when it just slumbers in the corner and is simply ignored and then it takes over and eats motivation alive. When unplanned obstacles arise in a project or unpleasant tasks are pending, an excuse is quickly found not to deal with them immediately. Popular examples are websites that were put online 10 years ago and have never been worked on again since. From time to time it comes up: "We urgently need to revise our website" - until something important comes up and the topic slips to the bottom of the agenda until the meeting after next. An unsolvable conflict? Not if you master the methods of self-motivation.
The fact is: In management and on the executive floor, there is always something to do 365 days a year. There are major orders waiting to be dealt with, business partners waiting to be called back and the acquisition must also be completed so that the business can move forward. In short, there is always a reason why things that have been lying around for a long time can stay there even longer. There is a simple basic rule that distinguishes between success and failure: If you set out to succeed, you look for solutions, not excuses. To stay on the ball, you need good self-management and firm resolutions that you stick to. The good news is: you can learn self-management!
Managers would not be in their position if they did not have the basic ability to manage themselves. After all, there is no one in this position to tell them what to do. But the step from good self-management to the self-discipline of no longer putting off unloved tasks can be a big one.
Step 1: Visualize the result
Let's take the example of the postponed website relaunch. Think about the benefits when the project is finally finished, customers and employees click through the pages for the first time and the company's website attracts new orders. This visualization of the work result is an important motivation to finally tackle it.
Step 2: Bring structure to the work steps
Complex tasks and projects in particular are often delayed. The amount of work seems unmanageable and you have no real overview of who needs to take on which tasks and how much time needs to be scheduled. At this point, it helps to make an exact plan with all upcoming tasks. In the example of the website, this would be to obtain quotes from an agency, draw up a list of the employees involved, formulate the objectives of the website, etc. The clearer the tasks are defined, the lower the inhibition threshold for tackling them.
Step 3: Detailed planning
Once the tasks have been defined, the concrete implementation begins. The tasks are assigned to employees, deadlines are set, etc. It is best to reserve fixed times in your schedule for checking, making inquiries or your own involvement.
Step 4: Stay committed
The most important and most difficult step in self-management is keeping a commitment to yourself. You have started this task and are now sticking to this resolution. You have a goal and you want to achieve it.
Do you need support with self-motivation? Then we are happy to offer you our coaching sessions and seminars.