What are the biggest motivation derailers?
1. Listening to negative comments.
2. Hearing the negative comments.
3. Accepting negative comments.
The thoughts and comments from others have a big impact on our life. Often we give extra value to these comments because we respect the people as part of our inner circle.
It is important, however, to step back and take a second look at the value that these comments are adding to our life. Is there any merit to the comment? Is the comment adding a negative value or a positive value?
Many times these well-meaning people do not understand and cannot see the our dream. Dreams are like finger prints; they are unique to each individual. Therefore, we see them differently then others do.
The goals we set to arrive at our dream are even more specific and unique to the “owner” of the dream. Sometimes these goals only make sense to the owner. Others do not understand these goals and only see them as a big mistake.
1. Listening to negative comments.
Listening to a negative thought is different than hearing a negative thought. Listening is just giving a polite listening ear to someone who is talking to us.
However, if we also hear the comment, we are well on the way of accepting it and then implementing it.
How to block the motivation derailer of listening to negative comments.
Firstly, be kind to the comment-maker. When they have completed their thought, let them know in a loving way that their negative comments will not be received. Let them know in a professional manner that dreams are very personal and that their support is appreciated but not required.
Secondly, “recharge” your motivation battery by:
- Re-visiting the place/magazine article/source that got your dream started in the first place.
- Re-reading your plan that shows the steps to accomplishing your dream.
- Doing whatever it takes to accelerate your motivation to a higher level.
Treat negative thoughts like rain. Allow them to run down and away into the gutter system. Never allow them to overtake a dream and derail it.
2. Hearing the negative comments.
Allowing a negative thought to take hold by hearing it is the beginning of great failure. There is tremendous power in a spoken word. Giving excessive value or time to a negative thought will derail motivation for any dream.
Hearing a negative thought is much more dangerous than just listening to it. Hearing it means that it has made an impact on our thought process. It may very easily take root and then cause defeat and failure.
How to block the motivation derailer of hearing the negative comments.
Firstly, re-evaluate the negative comment using your rationale and common-sense. Do not allow your emotions to get involved just because the comment was made by someone close. Re-evaluation of the negative comment may reveal a tinge of jealousy, perhaps even spite or just plain misunderstanding of the dream.
Do not allow the negative comment to take root and derail your dream. If the re-evaluation of the comment reveals merit, it may be an opportunity to refurbish the dream. Remember, dreams change with time and may look completely different from the original picture. Go with the flow and keep the motivation turned on high!
Secondly, we need to choose wisely when selecting people for the inner circle closest to us and our dream. It is critical to allow only those people into the inner circle, who share the same vision and enthusiasm for our dream.
3. Accepting negative comments.
This is the most dangerous of all. The phase of accepting a negative comment has by-passed the listening and hearing stages. Here, the negative comment is accepted at face value without rationalizing or evaluating it. This is a clear recipe for defeat and failure.
How to block the motivation derailer of accepting the negative comments.
Firstly, it is extremely important to stay motivated by allowing the dream to take center stage in life. Dine with the dream, sleep with the dream, wake up with the dream, exercise with the dream, take the dream for a drive, entertain the dream and protect the dream at all costs.
Secondly, keep company only with people who are supportive and inspiring. Always carry a small journal to mark down anything that will enhance or boost the dream.
Summary:
In summary, don’t sweat the small stuff. Get over negative comments easily and look for all the positives. Stay motivated and keep the center stage of life clear of all negative clutter. Only allow the dream to access center stage.
