Reference is made to Dr. Denis Waitley’s “Winning in the 80’s” where it is established that there are several basic criteria through which motivation can be established, developed and maintained. They are:
POSITIVE SELF-AWARENESS
“Winners are more aware. They display a positive approach and they are eager to learn. They know who they are, what they believe, the role in life they are presently filling, their great personal potential and the future roles and goals which will mark fulfilment of that potential.”
POSITIVE SELF-ESTEEM
“Winners have a deep-down feeling of their own worth. They know that, contrary to popular belief, this feeling of self-acceptance and deserving, is not necessarily a legacy from wise and loving parents. History is full of saints who rose from the gutters and literal monsters who grew up in loving families.”
POSITIVE SELF-CONTROL
“A winner’s positive self-control is acceptance of one hundred % of the
responsibility for causing the effects on his or her life. Winners realise they
personally have the power to take control of many more aspects of their lives than were otherwise thought possible. This relates both mentally and physically. Instead of bio-rhythms, computers, horoscopes, gurus and the Federal Government, you take the credit for determining, creating and making your own place in the world.”
POSITIVE SELF-MOTIVATION
“A winner’s positive self-motivation derives from two sources.
1. Their self-expectant personal and world view.
2. Their awareness that while fear and desire are amongst the great motivators, fear is destructive, while desire leads to achievement, success and happiness. With this in mind, they focus their thinking on the rewards of success and not the penalties of failure.”
POSITIVE SELF-EXPECTANCY
“A winner’s most readily identifiable quality should be an overall attitude of personal optimism and enthusiasm. Winners understand the psychosomatic relationship, psyche and soma (mind and body) that the body expresses what the mind is concerned with.”
POSITIVE SELF-IMAGE
“The tremendous importance of self-image and the role imagination can play in creation and upgrading of the self-image is very much part of a winner’s awareness. They know that the self-image acts as a subconscious, life-governing device, that if in your image you cannot possibly see yourself doing something, then it is highly unlikely that you will succeed with that issue.”
POSITIVE SELF-DIRECTION
“Winners know where they are going every day, every month and every year. They have clearly defined game plans and purposes. Their objectives range all the way from lifetime goals to daily priorities and when they’re not actively pursuing their goals they’re thinking about them.”
POSITIVE SELF-DISCIPLINE
“Winners are masters of the art of simulation. Like astronauts, champion athletes, great stage performers, skilled surgeons and truly professional executives and sales people, they practice flawless techniques in their minds over and over again. They know that thoughts formulate habits and they discipline their thoughts to create a habit of superb performance. This is the mark of a total winner.”
POSITIVE SELF-DIMENSION
“Winners have learnt to know themselves intimately. They have learnt to see themselves through the eyes of others. They have learnt to feel as one with nature and the universe. They have learnt to be aware of time – their opportunity to learn from the past, plan for the future and live as fully as possible in the present.”
POSITIVE SELF-PROJECTION
“Winners project their best selves every day in the way they look, walk, talk, listen and react. They specialise in truly effective communication, taking one hundred 100% responsibility, not only for sending information or telling, but also for receiving information or listening for the real meaning from every person they contact. Winners are aware that first impressions are powerful and that interpersonal relationships can be won or lost in the first four minutes of any conversation.”
In addition to understanding the stated concepts of motivation it is also important to understand and reduce the sin of procrastination under the following headings:
1. Your attitude – does it need adjustment?
2. Do you have a game plan?
3. Are you concerned with the fear of failure?
4. Do you have difficulty coping with success?
5. Understanding how to raise your energy levels.
6. Developing an action environment.
7. Constantly using the reinforcement principle.
You can find out more about the author at www.deniswaitley.com
