Dear ETR How do you get yourself to take action
“How do you get yourself to take action when you just don’t feel like it – even though you know that taking action will probably lead to a positive result?”
Kirk D.
Great question, Kirk! My approach is to talk to myself in the mirror.
No, I am not kidding. Looking into the mirror and having a serious discussion with yourself is beneficial for two reasons:
1. You acknowledge the one person who can solve this problem: YOU – the person in the mirror.
2. Once you start talking to your reflection about what you want to achieve, you will be more likely to remember who is going to benefit from a successful outcome: YOU – the person in the mirror.
It always motivates me.
When the time has come to take action – even if I don’t feel like doing it – I psych myself up by looking in the mirror and saying, “Bob – it’s show time. Just go out there and give it your best.”
I have set a simple standard for myself. I judge my efforts by the enthusiasm I can bring to projects, meetings, and phone calls that I’m not looking forward to. And once I have completed one of those difficult tasks, I reward myself with lunch at my favorite restaurant, a new golf shirt, or an evening out at the movies.
And the next time I look into my friend, the mirror, I say “Mirror, mirror on the wall… you and I are going to accomplish our goals after all!
- Bob Cox
[Ed. Note: Psyching yourself up by talking to yourself in the mirror is a simple way to get motivated. Goal-setting expert Bob Cox can help you achieve practically any goal with dozens of equally easy-to-implement techniques. And none of them takes more than 5 minutes a day to master. Learn more here.
Have a question for an ETR expert? Write to us at AskETR@ETRFeedback.com and we may answer your question in an upcoming issue of ETR.]
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