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You are here: Home / Archives for wheel of life

A Three-Part Plan for Finding Motivation

March 6, 2019 By Dave Ferguson Leave a Comment

A Three-Part Plan for Finding Motivation
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Featured article by Dave Ferguson in CEOWORLD magazine. Reprinted by permission.

Leaders are often faced with the challenge of keeping their team motivated.

But…who motivates the leader?

Leaders are people, just like everyone else. And like others, there are times when they lose momentum, get weary, feel rudderless, or suffer from apathy. During these times, motivation becomes a challenge, even for those who are naturally goal-driven.

Who motivates the leader?

Ultimately, the leader motivates the leader. But when there is nothing left within, he or she must also know where to find outside help.

What can you do to get your motivation back?

This three-part plan, mostly crafted in advance, will get you back on track quickly.

1. Examine Your Wheel of Life

When you are off your game, it means some area of life is out of order. This is why, in coaching, the wheel of life is addressed on a regular basis.

The areas of the wheel are as follows:

  • Physical
  • Mental
  • Social
  • Spiritual
  • Relationships
  • Finances
  • Work

If you lack motivation, visit each area, and ask yourself if something in that area is de-motivating you.

For example, you may have just completed a major initiative. Work has had strong focus for weeks, with all hands on deck and high alert. But it paid off with a highly successful launch.

Yet, suddenly, on the heels of great success, you find yourself de-motivated. When you look at your list of upcoming initiatives, you feel a sense of dread. You can’t convey your enthusiasm to your team for the next goals because, frankly, you don’t have any enthusiasm.

This is a warning signal for you to check your wheel of life.

When you do, in this scenario, you will see how spending so much time on work has impacted other areas. This often happens without conscious awareness until you stop and examine each area.

Physical recalibration is one of the first areas to address. Good health is central to everything you do in life. It is a game changer. To regain motivation, first be sure you are rested, well-hydrated, nourished, and refreshed by physical activity.

Beyond that, look to the other areas that need to be adjusted. Perhaps as part of that work cycle, you tapped into a great deal of mental energy. You will need to refill the bucket.

Relationships are often impacted by a heavy work cycle, so be sure to spend some time with those who mean the most to you.

While many bosses will push themselves and their teams from one intense sprint to the next, with no break in between, wise leaders will pause between initiatives to refresh the wheel of life and allow their team to do the same. Even a short pause can make a difference.

2. Determine Your Personal Motivators

There are essentially four types of personalities, with varying combinations. Each type is motivated and recharged in different ways. For some, doing something active outdoors will quickly re-charge their batteries; while for others, being indoors and reading a book is highly energizing. Some are energized by socialization; others are drained by it. Motivators are different for each person, but every person needs them.

Identify yours ahead of time. Write them down. As a leader, it is not a matter of “if” you will need them; it is a matter of “when.”

Energy is everything to a leader. When you lack energy, do something on your list.

3. Identify Your Motivational Team

As a leader, you may not be a direct report; but you do need to create a system of support and accountability. You can do this by proactively identifying your motivational team.

A good motivational team will include four key types of members: mentors, partners, supporters, and mentees.

  • Mentors will guide you and hold you accountable during those times when you do not feel engaged.
  • Partners will provide the collaboration you need to ignite new ideas; and new ideas bring renewed motivation.
  • Supporters are essential to motivation. Those who support you will keep things moving, even when you need to step away and re-charge. Support comes from two facets: systems and people.
  • Mentees are often overlooked as part of a motivational team, but their role is critical. They give you purpose and a path to legacy. And there is no greater motivation than purpose.

It is important to identify your motivational team ahead of time so that when you hit a wall, you have a place to turn. Each of the four team roles is critical. If you short-circuit even one of them, you are short-circuiting your ability to experience full impact.

Are you a leader experiencing a lag? Be assured, this is normal. But staying there is not. Follow the plan above, tap into the resources you have identified, and your motivation will return.

 


Dave FergusonDave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. Are you interested in talking to Dave about coaching or having Dave speak to inspire and motivate your team? “ASK COACH DAVE” at 704-907-0171 or at Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

What Will You Add This Year?

January 23, 2019 By Dave Ferguson Leave a Comment

What will you add this year?
Image Credit: Shutterstock

 

In the previous article, I posed a question: “What will you subtract this year?”

Apparently, it hit a nerve, as it was one of the most-read articles to date. It was all about ways to better use time – to free up time for the things that matter most to you, personally and professionally.

If you have not read that article, take a moment and do so now…before the next distraction or demand hits.

In this article, I want to address the phase that comes after subtraction: What do you need to add?

Have you ever had a marathon office cleaning session, where you managed to clear your desk? It felt great, right? You could sit down to work with a clear mind. That usually lasts about…one day, or for some, one hour.

Why is this?

The return of overwhelm comes because there is no process for preventing it.

Step 1 was Subtraction – Declutter those things that adversely impact your time.

Step 2 is Addition – Determine focus and create a process that keeps you from returning to overwhelm.

Here is a personal example.

Several years ago, I was a successful executive. I also owned and operated several side ventures and a good amount of real estate. On the wheel of life, “Work” was taking over, which is common among executives. But with so much focus on work, as you would surmise, other areas began to suffer.

After a wakeup call with regard to my health, I realized I needed to declutter some parts of my life to create greater margin, which I did.

But that wasn’t enough.

Fill the void.

Here is a fact of life: Voids will be filled.

That empty spot on your desk; the open calendar space; that time you decided to use for exercise…these will all be filled.

The question is: Who or what will fill the void?

Jim Rohn said it well: “If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan.”

This is why Step 2 is just as important as Step 1.

Step 1 creates margin.

Step 2 determines who or what fills it.

I had managed to create margin, which is both an accomplishment…and a considerable adjustment.

I quickly realized I had to take another step – the step of intentionally filling it.

I determined my three main priorities and created boundaries on time spent working, and scheduled in time for exercise, reading, and being out in nature to fill those spots previously used for work. My calendar was full, but full of very purposeful commitments to each area of life.

“Wait a minute!” you may be thinking. “First you advocate subtracting to create margin, and now you’re refilling the margin?”

Exactly.

Only this time, I did it with great intention. And that has made all the difference.

It has provided a measure of balance in other areas of life, and contrary to what you might think, business and career have improved with the broader focus to all areas and less time in just work. In fact, I am now a healthier and more energetic leader than I was before.

No matter your position in leadership, I urge you to take these two steps. As a leader, you must be strong for your team, and energetically, you set the pace. Addressing all areas and not just one will help you be a more effective leader.

For Step 2, review your wheel of life.

Honestly assess each area as I do with my coaching clients to determine where adjustments need to be made.

  1. Spiritual Health
  2. Personal Development
  3. Physical Health
  4. Business and Career
  5. Relationships
  6. Financials

Where do you need to add?

Where do you need to subtract?

Create margin, then fill it intentionally. Be the best leader you can be.


Dave FergusonDave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. Are you interested in talking to Dave about coaching or having Dave speak to inspire and motivate your team? “ASK COACH DAVE” at 704-907-0171 or at Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

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