As you move forward with your business, it’s important to understand what is likely to make you a successful entrepreneur.
One of the traits that characterize successful entrepreneurs is self-motivation. As you move forward, it’s important to understand the following things about self-motivation:
Self-Discipline and Self-Motivation are Two Different Things
One of the first things to realize is that self-discipline is different from self-motivation. You might be able to do the things you’re supposed to, but that’s not the same thing as being motivated to a higher purpose, or having the self-motivation to keep going when your willpower is depleted.
Willpower has been recognized as a limited resource — something that you can “use up.” If you repeatedly resist temptation or force yourself into something, eventually you wear down and it becomes harder and harder.
If you really want to keep going, you need that self-motivation that helps sustain you when the decision fatigue sets in and your willpower runs low.
You Need to Know the Why
If you really want to keep going with your business and eventually reach success, it’s important to know the why behind what you’re doing. Do you have that internal motivation to understand why it’s important for you to do this? What is your driving factor?
When you know what you are meant to do, and you can use entrepreneurship to get there, self-motivation is easier. You are motivated to keep going because you have the answer to the why of your business and your life. This gives you reason to keep moving forward.
Prepare Mentally for Every Day
Be ready for the day. Know what needs to be done that day. More importantly, know how to create the right mindset for the day in order to focus on what needs doing. There are plenty of ways to clear your mind and get ready. I’ve made some tweaks to my day that help me focus before I get going.
I start each day by listing things I’m grateful for, as well as three things that I want to get done in the day, and a daily affirmation. At the end of the day, I recognize what went well and write what should have gone better. Getting all of this down helps me clear my mind and prepare for the next day.
Figure out what helps get you in the right mindset for the day, so that you can prepare properly. This helps you increase your ability to act on your self-motivation and get more done in the day.
Confidence in Who You Are and Your Path
Finally, if you want to remain self-motivated, you need to have confidence in who you are and the path you’re on. It might not be the path that others have marked out for you. However, you need to develop confidence in your why so you can hold to that as you beat your own trail.
There’s nothing wrong with letting your family, friends, and culture influence you. However, one of the keys to maintaining self-motivation is being able to break out of the mold and feel confident about it. Self-motivation, much of the time, is about living beyond the script and reaching for what you want in life — and recognizing that, for you, it’s the better choice.
