Motivation Monday It is in your head

Motivation Monday It is in your head One question I hear more than any other by job seekers is how do I stay motivated?   The answer is as unique as the individual answering it, but this post gathers some data and ideas to help. Turning New Ideas into Action Are you full of good ideas that you fail to act on or implement?   Do you avoid trying something new or different? Well, it isnt all your fault.   It is the way your brain functions.   Dr. Ellen Weber developed the MITA method (MITA is a brain based approach to foster innovative leading and learning) and shares her research and insight on her site Brain Leaders and Learners. Dr. Weber describes why some ideas stick and others dont in her post A Brain on Persistence.   It seems that the part of your brain that collects new ideas has limited storage capacity.   That is why so many innovative ideas are left on the cutting room floor.   But never fear, Dr. Weber outlines these steps to help follow through on good ideas. Persistence! Weber says: Persistence comes from five principles that factor in the brain’s staying power. These include: targeting expected outcomes critical first days outsourcing detailed steps tackling barriers encouraging yourself and others Writing the details down, sharing your ideas with others, identifying and eliminating barriers, and even spelling out the specific outcome of the idea will help you turn it into a reality! Persistence In Your Job Search In your job search, think about how this translates.   Your working brain receives new ideas during networking events, seminars and conversations.   But it cant hold on to all this information. You need to convert it over to the other side of your brain that will make it more habit-like.   Following Dr. Webers advice, here is how you can do this. 1.   Write down the specific outcomes or results you expect from the new idea.   For instance, if someone suggests networking with Harry Hiring Manager, write down what you expect the outcome to be.   No, it isnt a job.   The immediate outcome is acquiring the meeting by a certain date.   Based on that meeting you may or may not decide you would want to work there. 2.   Capture the details.   How does the person referring you know Harry Hiring Manager? Why do they think you should speak with them? What do they know about their work schedule, personal life, volunteer or membership affiliations? 3.   Define the steps and assign timeline Creating a detailed outline of what your contact steps will look like and hang it up for all to see!   For example, your outline might look like this: Jan. 23: call and introduce reason for requesting a meeting within first 2 weeks of February If no response follow up on Jan. 27 via email. Jan. 30: Contact referral source to thank them and let them know the outcome 4.   Articulate and tackle Barriers What are some of the known excuses Harry Hiring Manager may give for not wanting to meet with you? These dont mean they wont help, so dont take no for an answer. Too busy No jobs Not the right person No response 5.   Make it fun! If it becomes drudgery or too stressful, you are likely to stick with it. For additional ideas on staying motivated, you can review these 48 Out of this World Motivation Tips That Get You Pumped Up and Ready to Rock.   Here are the first 5: 1.   Make a dream board / Vision board add all the things you want in your life and put in a place you will see it every day. 2.   Sign up for a support group/master mind group with like-minded people who share your passion. 3.   Start your day with a great motivational book.  Read one or two pages every morning or until feel motivated and ready to rock it. 4.   Have someone in your life that will help keep you accountable, this could be a mentor, a life coach or a business colleague. 5.   Find a motivational blog or forum where you can read that days motivational post. 6.    Start your own daily motivation blog and ask for comments from others about what motivates them. What will you do this week to stay motivated?