Steve Jobs self-motivation can be hard to come by, especially in the face of challenges or difficult work. When you’re thinking about implementing that new idea, or starting that new company or beginning that new regimen, it’s easy to talk yourself into procrastinating. Or worse, avoiding your goal altogether.
Another motivator: Surprising Story Lessons on Making a Difference
The power of positive thinking isn’t just an adage — it’s scientifically proven that positive thoughts (and the elimination of negative self-talk) can improve your mood, feelings, and performance.
These thoughts of Steve Jobs should get you started doing whatever it is you need the motivation to do.
Do you have the occasional bad day at your job? Not every workday can be met with unbridled enthusiasm, can it? We all have moments when our mood lags far behind the “to do” list in front of us.
In many cases, we can’t identify the cause of the issue causing the problem. Ultimately, the “less than optimal” mood spells serious trouble for the day ahead. But there are actions you can take to turn your day around.
Certain days demand that you get your head in the right place in a hurry. Simple strategies can help. But, changing the negative dynamic — pronto — becomes the first order of business.
You will perhaps have heard this very old story illustrating the difference between positive thinking and negative thinking:
Many years ago two salesmen were sent by a British shoe manufacturer to Africa to investigate and report back on market potential.
The first salesman reported back, “There is no potential here – nobody wears shoes.”
The second salesman reported back, “There is massive potential here – nobody wears shoes.”
This simple short story provides one of the best examples of how a single situation may be viewed in two quite different ways – negatively or positively.
Employing a few well-traveled paths can help. Great piece of music often helps me a great deal. Also thinking of family or looking at their pictures.
Another quick option is re-reading a few all-time favorite quotes about work, career, and inspiration. It can help to get “lost” in a couple of these and reinvent your day.
Use of checklists? Ever given them a try? Lots of ways to use them. We like their use for an attitude adjustment to start every day.
After college, I spent almost two years training as a naval aviator. An important element of that training was the use of checklists in the learning and refresher process.
Checklist utilization remains an important part of my business life. It is always a good idea to have a helpful checklist for daily reminders of improvements for your business or your personal life.
I keep a stack of 10 or so checklists that I rotate and update occasionally. I pull out one checklist to read and contemplate for five minutes as a way to start each day. 5-minute review of the checklist puts my thinking in the right frame of mind.
Here is a useful checklist of example on my favorite “perspective changing” quotes. Hopefully, these will impact your day for the better as they often do mine.
Thoughts are powerful, and negative thoughts can prevent you from achieving your goals. The flip side is that positive thoughts can be just as powerful. The next time you feel unmotivated, use any of these positive thoughts to reenergize yourself.
Really: They will get you going.
Steve Jobs self-motivation … this is why I can.
Instead of giving yourself reasons why you can’t do something, give yourself reasons why you can.
I deserve more.
You deserve a better life.
— whether that means a better job, a healthier body or more money. Work for it.
It’s never too late.
No matter how old you are or how many opportunities you’ve passed up before, it’s never too late to make a decision and get a fresh start.
Steve Jobs self-motivation … there’s no “perfect” time.
If you’re waiting for the perfect moment, forget about it — there’s no such thing.
Everybody starts somewhere.
Nobody is born successful. Everyone starts somewhere, and usually from the bottom.
One step at a time.
Don’t try to do everything at once. Reduce it to baby steps.
Steve Jobs self-motivation … failure is temporary.
If you fail, you’re in good company — most successes come only after several rounds of failure.
Mistakes are learning opportunities.
If you mess up, you can only become better for it.
If it were easy, everyone would do it.
Nothing worth doing is easy.
Steve Jobs self-motivation … negative thoughts can’t stop me.
Your negative thoughts are just thoughts — nothing more.
I’ve done harder things.
Think back to a time when you succeeded against the odds.
Steve Jobs self-motivation … everything has to be earned.
You can’t get anything in this life unless you work hard for it.
I’m in control of my destiny.
You can decide whom you want to become.
Steve Jobs self-motivation … the risk is worth it.
Know that risks are real, but the potential benefits are worth them.
Many good ideas seem crazy or impossible at first. Yours is no different.
Experience is always valuable.
Even if your mission doesn’t turn out the way you’d expected, you’ll walk away with experience.
Steve Jobs self-motivation … every day counts.
Today, tomorrow and the next day are all steps toward your end goal.
What I see matters more than what others see.
Forget about what others think — prioritize what you think.
Steve Jobs self-motivation … I can learn whatever I need to know.
Free resources are plentiful.
I can master whatever I need to do. Practice can make you good at anything.
I know what I want.
Know what your end goals are, and visualize them.
Trying and failing is better than doing nothing.
This is universally true.
Steve Jobs self-motivation … I can’t win unless I try.
The effort is the only way to get results.
I’m better than I was yesterday.
You’re older, wiser and more experienced than you’ve ever been before.
Steve Jobs self-motivation … nothing great happens overnight.
Work and patience are your friends.
I’ll reward myself when I’m done.
Even small rewards can be great motivators.
Steve Jobs self-motivation … I’m doing this for more than just me.
Maybe it’s for your family or community — whatever “it” is, external motivation can be powerful.