Only you know how to get yourself excited. Others may be able to motivate you or make you happy, but no matter what, they can’t do as good of a job as you. When it comes to life, you have to figure out what makes you tick so you can pull those levers and accomplish your goals.
For example, I love money and there aren’t too many things that get me as excited as money. When I started my first company I ended up doing alright, but there was not much motivation for me to make more of it. Sooner or later what I figured out was that there was nothing motivating me to make more of it because the difference between $10,000 and $100,000 was just an intangible “0″ on my bank account statement. What I figured out was that I had to start spending a little money on myself, thus recreating the drive to make more money.
Now this doesn’t mean other people can’t get you motivated or excited. For example, a chiropractor once brought me beer and Taco Bell before my speech because he knew that I wouldn’t have time to eat. He read about me online and figured out what type of beverage and food makes me happy. But the thing is he didn’t know my all time favorite menu item from Taco Bell; he was close, but it didn’t hit the spot compared to going into Taco Bell myself. Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy and I was really happy with the food he brought me (hopefully he’ll do it again), but it shows that no one can get you as excited as yourself.
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What an original perspective on self-motivation…and I like the Taco Bell analogy.
It’s a great illustration that those even those with the best of intentions don’t always make the same decisions for us that we would make for ourselves.
I also particularly enjoyed your reference to the “…intangible 0…” with regard to your motivation (money) and your need to make a concerted effort to do what was necessary in order to find ongoing motivation. Good stuff!
Thanks! Even if the difference was two 0s, it would have still been intangible because I wasn’t spending the money. When you save every penny you make, sooner or later you become less motivated.
HaHa, sounds like the chiropractor has some work to do on finding out your all time favorite Taco Bell meal.
The chiropractor was really close.
I would tell him what my favorite item is, but that would ruin the fun.
Is the word supreme involved?
Nope, but to give you a hint, it is not a burrito.
You sure as hell know how to come up with catchy titles. Hopefully your dad doesn’t see this one and go “OH NOT AGAIN”…lol
LOL! He already saw the post.
Haha and what did he say?
Not much. I guess he is used to my blog posts now.
I think the extra 0 on my bank statement would get me excited, especially if I made it in one month! Of course, I think money is a major motivator for me, because I like money, I like to shop and I like to help others when I have money to spare. I guess we do each have our own motivators. Interesting post Neil. Thanks for sharing!
Don’t get me wrong, the extra 0 excites me too. But if I took away your shopping and all you were doing is saving the money, it probably wouldn’t motivate you as much.
The point is, by spending the money it helps create a motivation to make more.
I think the key is finding an even medium between saving and spending. I would feel bad about spending everything. I want to save money so my kids are taken care of after I’m old and not working (or gone completely). But some spending is definitely a great motivator!
For each person the ratio is going to be different. I try and save every penny I make and ask myself twice if I really need some thing before I buy it.
Can we at least get the year the date range when the taco bell was purchased? I am guessing Mexi Melt or the Baja Chalupa.
You got the Baja part right, but not the Chalupa part.
And how true the statement applies: You Have To Spend Money To Make Money!
Yep, and in more ways than one. Not just spending money on your business to help it grow, but also on yourself to increase your motivation.
Mmmm… Chalupas…
I dig the “getting off” analogy. It has a lot more impact than the clichés we all hear about doing what you love. And the picture made me LOL.
PS – your interview with Salamie was just killer!
One of my co-workers actually came up with the analogy. I thought it was so good, that I had to make a blog post out of it.
Very true stuff. After spending time and money for Think Tank and the other conferences we’ve been to, there’s more motivation than I’ve seen in a long time floating around the office. So much opportunity can come from reinvesting time and money, and just showing up. Awesome post!
Hopefully you enjoyed the Think Tank as much as I did. Meeting new people and learning new things is always fun for me.
Very funny Pic. Thanks for the laugh
LOL! I’m glad you didn’t find it offensive.
beer and taco bell, hahah!
It is an awesome combination that you have to try out. Now if we could only get Taco Bell to serve beer…
I understand what you mean about spending some money on yourself. I actually just ordered the new gphone for some recent motivation.
Maybe someday I can afford the gifts you must be getting yourself. I can’t even imagine!
My gifts aren’t too expensive. I can’t afford exotic automobiles yet.
Yeah, you probably have just every gadget known to man… What kind of insane world phone are you rocking?
Please don’t say iphone.
I am not a big gadget person. I currently sport a Blackberry World phone from Verizon.
good points, this post highlights two important aspects.
1. Money does not make you happy, but what you can do with money, the experiences it provides it what makes people happy.
2. You make to spend money to make money.
Good point. I don’t care about money, but I do care about the objects I can buy with it.
Okay, that picture is really disturbing
Great points though
Other than the position, I think the expression on the guys face makes it disturbing.
Can’t agree more…I love to eat and whenever I need to get something done which I’m not willing to, I set myself for food…lol !
I am the opposite. Whenever I eat, I feel lazy.
I think you were right on with this. That is why I have such a hard time with freelancers with my company and also the reason I have taught myself things such as coding and photoshop aside from marketing so I can get it done if I need to because I usually never feel satisfied when someone else does the work completely without my supervision and consulting.
You have to learn to let others do the work. If you try and do everything yourself, your company’s growth will be limited.
of course. that’s true because no one else knows you like yourself. which is also why it really is up to you to get motivated, and you can’t quite blame others for that sort of thing.
You can’t blame others, but you need to realize that you have to be the one pushing yourself.
I can certainly understand the need for self motivation, however, when someone motivates you with beer and Taco Bell, it doesn’t get much better than that.
It truly doesn’t. I get a lot of free gifts that are expensive, but the best gift I got so far was the Taco Bell and beer.
Good word. At the end of the day your attitude is your responsibility.
Yep, you are the only one that is responsible for your attitude and actions. You can’t keep on blaming others…
It is true, true, true. But I think that people who knows me really well exists.
Yes, there are people that know you well, such as a spouse, child, or even a parent. But the thing is, they will never know every little detail about you.
First of all i would like to say this is very funny pic. And you said your dad has already saw the post, did he make any comment about this post especially.
No… he has learned to ignore what I write on my blog.
That’s pretty interesting, so you are free to write any thing. lol.
As one of my favorite comedians said (Daniel Tosh).. when people say “money can’t buy happiness… ‘, I say “Do you live in America?” Money can buy a wave runner… ever seen a sad person on a wave runner? Have you… seriously? Try and frown while you’re on a wave runner…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V61U6kT9Qbo (around 1:35 in)
So yes, money in and of itself won’t make you happy, everyone knows that. In all honesty, it amplifies what you already are. If you’re a kind, giving person you’ll become even more philanthropic. If you’re a miserable, miserly person by nature, more money just makes you meaner, more cynical, condescending, suspicious, etc.
So here’s to the good people getting rich!
I am also a strong believer in the saying “money buys happiness”. A lot of people feel that they don’t need money, but everyone seems to be working so that they can make more money.
I agree with this most definitely. That is why a lot of things I find myself doing because no one can seem to do them as good as I do as far as things in business. Everyone wants things done an exact certain thing.
Yes, but you have to learn to let others take responsibility. If you don’t, your business won’t grow as much.
Hi Neil,I can certainly understand the need for self motivation, however, when someone motivates you with beer and Taco Bell, it doesn’t get much better than that, or does it?
Nice post
It really doesn’t Michael (the chiropractor) knows the way to my heart.
I love money too — but now I see it as a small yet important part of my overall life & business success.
Building relationships with other people and loving what you do is more important, the money should follow afterward!
Even if the money doesn’t come to you, at least you will be happy.
So true Neil. It all comes down to motivation. That’s why we should at least work in areas we love… you’ll find motivation and fulfillment…and if you’re really good, money for Taco Bell.
hey that’s a great title and funny pic.
Yep, this is the main reason I love to work in Orange County, California. The weather is great and the environment keeps me happy.
Taco Bell and a Beer, hmm….AWESOME!
Well yes its true, only you will ever truly look out for your best interests first. Using role-models helps achieve what you want.
Exactly! Plus if you get to know them, they will help you out.
Money is a good motivator for me as well, that and chocolate!
Then try to make some more money. Do whatever it takes!
You might want to start by eating some chocolate.
What is up with that picture? It is weird, creep, and so funny. I know I wouldn’t be giggling if some dude came up to me like in this picture. It reminds me of the peeing in the bush part in Harlord and Kumar.
LOL, it was the only funny picture I could find.
this whole post just feels wrong…
Hopefully it inspires you.
Could not agree more. Your friend on the other hand seems a kind of man that one can admire for being so thoughtful and considerate.
Ha ha ha, Neil, do you love money than I do? But seriously, you are very right. If money gets one excited then they will be willing to do what others won’t want to do so that they can end up getting the money they love so much. I once read that those people who succeed are those that are willing to do TODAY what others won’t do so that they can have TOMORROW what others won’t have. Thanks for sharing, Neil.
Why do you think we pay the military soldiers so much? Most people don’t want to get shot at to make money, well legally make money.
We should be paying them a lot more.
I truly love money more than anything else.
Best of luck!
Very cool attitude, only one zero.. Never taught about this in a that way, it is actually so simple..
As always Neil, great post like any others.
Thanks. Best of luck with getting yourself motivated.
This is definitely an impresting perspective. Its al all about finding you’re niche. Haha there aren’t too many people out there who aren’t excited by money. The taco bell example is a nice way of looking at it. There are just so many options and options on top of options out there that no one would know which is best for you, except for yourself.
till then,
Jean
You don’t want to spread yourself too thin, but simply focusing on one thing and branching off into other areas can help you in any endeavor.
One thing I have learned in my life that yes money is needed and necessary but it isn’t everything. I think being happy and loving what you do is important. If you can find a way to do that then you truly are rich.
Not everyone is interested in money, take a look at Mother Theresa. She became successful and never took a dime. Love what you do and help the world out