motivation

“True greatness is often revealed through absolute simplicity.”

Try this training technique. But let me warn, you it’s revolutionary! Are you ready for it? Here it is…

Last week I was waiting to check in at the airport and was confounded by the rudeness of fellow travellers toward the airline after a delay. This morning, while having a meeting at a coffee-shop at an upmarket mall, I noticed little kids throwing tantrums and being rude towards everyone in their immediate environment. Then I got back to my home-office where I was faced with more short-temperedness because I forgot to buy a new supply of coffee for the coffee machine.

Instead, I took everyone to our favourite coffee shop on the corner for a cappuccino. Noble I know, but my reason was much deeper than scoring brownie-points. Familiarity will cheer people up, while people will only embrace newness and novelty when they’re in a positive mood.

As a “motivational” speaker in the eyes of some people and clients, I’m often asked where real employee motivation comes from. It has always been my opinion that companies falsely believe motivation comes from employees’ back pocket – in other words the money they take home at the end of the month.

I know, however that almost every employee I talk with complains that there is always too much month at the end of the salary. If that is the case around the world, why are these people still working for the same company that does not pay them “enough”?

It’s fair to say that, given the recovering economic climate, companies are still a bit shy to dish out sponsorship. Especially when the arena of the sponsorship is a sport that is easily tainted by mal-practice at administrative level, performance-enhancing drug abuse by athletes and the Caster Semenya debacle in 2009. Athletics gets a bad rap in South Africa.

I recently met with Bruce a company owner and MD intent on growing his already-successful company. He’s in the process of employing Regional Managers, Sales Managers and devising an aggressive sales and growth strategy. He is looking to partner with me as a coach and mentor to his company – but what I discovered was astounding. Bruce has decided to cancel company conference. He’s cancelling the very bastion of motivation and team-building. I think he’s doing exactly the right thing.

Any CEO, MD and Manager worth their salt should be asking themselves this right now as they’re involved in strategy workshops and planning for the near future.

If you’re a South African company, the short answer is 4 weeks paid leave from 11 June to 11 July to enjoy the Fifa 2010 World Cup.

Jokes aside though. Two recent articles highlight the plight of the employee in 2010 as the world comes out of recession and begins its bounce-back. We hope!! But then again I bumped into an industry colleague at a coffee shop this week and he reckons the recession was just a perception!

Go figure!

Your mind cannot operate in negatives.
 
Whatever you do, do not think of pink elephants!
 
What are you thinking about right now?
 
90% of the population will say ...

Your mind cannot distinguish between what is real and what is imaginary.

 “You win some, you lose some, you wreck some.”  Dale Earnhardt

When things go well, who gets the credit?  When things go badly, who gets the blame?  If you’re like most people, everyone gets the blame for the latter.  Everyone from competitors, coaches, event organizers, equipment – even the weather! 

 Your mind will move your body in the direction of your dominant thought.

Your mind will find a way to move your body in the direction of your thinking, in the direction of your focus.