Motivation Information

How to Use the Power of Words to Your Benefit


Someone I know maintains that "motivational words are great coming from philosophers, but that's because they're not in the real world." The power of words can be an incredible aid to helping us remain motivated and focused.

Abraham Lincoln certainly was in the "real world". So was Henry Ford. Napoleon Hill, Anthony Robbins, John Kehoe, and so the list goes on.

For most of us, the words we read have little impact on us and our lives, and especially on the setting of our goals. Here I hope to offer another way to look at words, and hopefully give the value of what words can mean with our goals and our lives.

The enormous amount of motivational material available - books, articles, motivational quotes - can (and does) help us to develop a positive attitude. But this does not occur by reading them as a novel or short story, that is, reading it once, and then never returning to the material.

When we use the concept known as spaced repetition, which is the reading of material repeatedly, but with breaks in between, words, and in particular motivational words become a powerful aid. This has an exceptional effect on our subconscious mind (and also works well with learning new material).

How much effort is there in that?

To use an example, consider the following motivational quote: "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it." Let's consider how these words can help us to develop a positive attitude, and as result make us more content.

"If you don't like something, change it."

Example, are you in a job that absolutely drains you mentally, and emotionally? Have you seriously looked at changing jobs? And here the key word is "seriously". Do we really investigate all our options? Do we consider dropping in salary (in the short term), but have work that stimulates us? Do we make a concerted effort to look for other positions?

Now for the second part. "If you can't change it, change the way you think about it."

Do we have any control over the petrol price? Do we have any control over getting a flat tyre? There is no way in the world we can change these occurrences by moaning about them.

Too often we throw up our hands in frustration, or drop our head in desperation. And what is the value of that? Does it rectify the problem? Absolutely not! So why do we allow outside influences to affect us detrimentally? Accept that which you have no control over, and your attitude will soar proportionately.

In practice, using spaced repetition, committing these words to memory, when the occasion arises, we almost automatically retrieve these words and the whole situation looks entirely different.

This is where the value of words comes into its own. A while ago, while pulling away from a traffic light, I was too slow for the driver behind me. He hooted and showed me to move. My first reaction was to become annoyed, and I was "talking" to him - in no uncertain terms. Then I asked myself what effect does that have on the situation? And realizing this I relaxed I continued on my journey. By the time I reached my destination, I had all but forgotten the incident.

Words can be of real value to us, if we use them correctly. Give it a try, and see the effect it has on your attitude, and on you as a person.

As Rudyard Kipling said: "Words are the most powerful drug used by mankind."

Make it your goal to...

Find a motivational quote and write this down. Give it a read at least twice a day - you'll be surprised at the results.

About the Author
Colin Dunbar's eaziGOAL is a collection of ultimate goal setting tools created especially for working moms and dads. "There is no reason we working moms and dads cannot reach our dream." Full details available at http://www.eaziGOAL.com FREE newsletter.


MORE RESOURCES:

AZFamily

Custodian accused of assault, sexual motivation with 13-yo
AZFamily, AZ - 1 hour ago
YARNELL - On July 23, 2008, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested 63-year-old Herbert “Herb” Allen for Aggravated Assault with Sexual Motivation ...
Alleged Hugs, Kisses Land School Janitor In Jail KPHO Phoenix
School janitor, 63, arrested after kissing girl, 13 KTAR.com
all 4 news articles


Weight Loss Motivation: How to Stay Permanently Inspired and Jazzed
Beliefnet.com, NY - 9 hours ago
The root of the word motivation is "motive." The definition of "motive" is "A reason to act." You need a reason to act. You need both an external and ...


Economist

Stub out that weed for ever
Economist, UK - 5 hours ago
Despite that dismal situation, there are three reasons to give the latest pair of campaigners a slim chance of success: money, methods and motivation. ...


Ottawa Citizen

kayaker has plenty of motivation
Ottawa Citizen,  Canada - Jul 22, 2008
As it turns out, watching her national teammates hit the water in Athens was the last bit of motivation Fournel needed. Now, four years wiser at age 21, ...
Passions ignite over national team Globe and Mail
Field hockey players relish underdog role Niagara Falls Review
The easy choice Edmonton Sun
all 320 news articles


ABC News

Beating sister is no longer Gay's motivation
guardian.co.uk, UK - Jul 21, 2008
"Getting a gold medal is my biggest motivation," Gay told reporters after his stunning but wind-assisted run of 9.68 seconds to win the 100 metres at the US ...
Tyson Gay and Liu Xiang face opposition in gold mission Bangkok Post
all 897 news articles


Telegraph.co.uk

Ferguson Gives Chelsea The Perfect Motivation!
Vitalfootball, UK - Jul 23, 2008
Isn't that a perfect motivational speech to inspire us to great things next season? Should it not be etched on the dressing room wall for every Chelsea ...
We will be good, we have to be, but I am not concerned about ... Daily Mail
Sir Alex Ferguson relishes task of improving Wayne Rooney at ... Telegraph.co.uk
Alex: I've been hard on Rooney The Sun
UK Express
all 483 news articles


Political motivation behind energy crisis
People's Daily Online, China - Jul 22, 2008
The soaring international oil price has sparked a dispute within the United States about whether the country should increase oil production. ...


Obese children 'need motivation'
BBC News, UK - Jul 21, 2008
A health trust in Bradford is encouraging parents of overweight children to try a new approach to help them lose weight. The weight loss course is the first ...


Soul land in New Orleans, await ArenaBowl
Cherry Hill Courier Post, NJ - 15 hours ago
His leadership over the team is unquestionable, and his spirit often serves as promising motivation for teammates. The motivation that Moten brings will ...


Uncover New Insights and Explore New Approaches to Leadership and ...
MarketWatch - 16 hours ago
Management: Tidbits for the New Millennium is a revolutionary self-help manual on leadership, ethics, teamwork and motivation in the workplace, ...

Motivation - Google News

home | site map
© 2006