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Self-Motivation: How Do Successful Leaders Stay Encouraged?

Anna D. Banks, MAS, CHBC • Feb 23, 2021

Business and organizations are an ecosystem. While there can only be one Captain of the Ship, growth and success rely on so many people. True enough, while a company survives on the frequency and satisfaction of customers, its long-lasting success relies on engaged employees.The former Xerox CEO, Anne Mulcahy, accurately puts it:

"Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person – not just an employee – are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled. Satisfied employees mean satisfied customers, which leads to profitability."Over the years, we have come to an understanding of how essential employee engagement is. The job of inspiring the team, motivating key workers, growing mentees into full potential, and encouraging employees to productivity, all rely on the one person we call the leader. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

A huge part of one's role as a leader is to motivate people - your people. But who motivates you?As an effective leader, you bring people out of demotivation and renew their passion for work and life. Successful leaders don't need to wait or look elsewhere to find encouragement for themselves. Great leaders adapt habits and traits that keep them encouraged and motivated.

Five Things To Do To Stay Motivated:

1. Set Ambitious GoalsGoal setting is a basic step to achieve anything in life. If you want to overcome and improve certain areas, start applying goal setting methods like understanding your DISC. In leadership, you aren't only responsible for your personal goals but also for your team. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivered the iconic, "We choose to go to the Moon" speech. Today, space exploration seems like a typical event in a year. But when he pronounced this in the 60s, scientists then weren't even sure that metal could endure such a journey. Sure enough, in 1969, the nation found itself achieving its goal.

It's the leader's job to give purpose to the team, to give them a vision and an understanding of where they are heading and why it is important. Ambitious goals are scary, but they keep you motivated to press on forward!

2. Welcome Change Sudden change, especially when we least expect it, can feel discouraging. But leaders know that change is inevitable, we have 2020 to remember that by. Being open to change, uncertainty, and adversity makes you more courageous. Great leaders persevere.

"Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them." —Orison Swett Marden (1850-1924)

3. Pause and ReflectHow can you encourage yourself when you don't know where you stand? Embracing success as a leader involves intentionally reflecting on your progress. You must frequently check where you are on the journey towards your goals. This is achievable with someone you trust to be accountable with. (It's Time To Get A Leadership Coach).

4. Learn From Others It deserves to be overemphasized: successful leaders learn from others. When you consider relationships and experiences as an opportunity for learning, there's very little room to lose motivation. It humbles you and opens your minds to others. You gain insights from experiences outside of your own. People go through different challenges and have achieved different methods to solve them. That is learning that's informative and inspiring.

5. Focus on The Best YouWhen the days are rough and challenges come one after the other, what you have at your disposal is your mindset. Use it to envision the best version of you. How would this better person react or rise above this? How does the 'best-version' lead the team through this challenging time? Having a mental picture is key for you to succeed!

AUTHOR'S BOX:

Anna D. Banks is the CEO and Founder of Thrive Leadership Institute, a leading training & consulting company. With her leadership, the company coaches professionals to achieve growth in work and in their personal lives. In more than 20 years, she has served as Executive Director with the John Maxwell Team, a Certified Career Coach, and Certified Human Behavior (DISC) Consultant. You can achieve all your goals and thrive. Take the first step and click here to download this Free eBook "Discover Your Purpose and Thrive In Your Life" from Anna Banks.

Anna D. Banks, MAS, CHBC, Copyright ©February 5, 2021. All rights reserved

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