I have a business where I make something like $100/hr, but it’s just part time, so I’m just getting by. I’m not pushing to expand. I’m being indecisive, procrastinating and thinking too much about what direction to go.
Any tips on how to be more self motivated? I’m not that materialistic, so things or status will only motivate me to a point.
What motivates you? I’ve been bothered lately by my not living up to my potential. Do I need to focus more on the parts of my biz that I really like to do or am best at and let others do the rest?
Thanks Randall. I doubt I’ll get more answers. I have though about volunteering before and some of the ideas from the story. Just enough is not enough for me mentally at least. I realized the thrill is gone, because I have figured out how to do something very difficult. Now I will be like the fisherman, but spend not much more time working and expand at the same time, by hiring people to do the boring and easy stuff. Then I will work on an internet marketing site related to my industry to for the thrill factor.
Given you’ve been bothered by not living up to your potential, I would say you still have plenty of room to grow. If you have been questioning the purpose and direction of your life, try some community/volunteer work. Seeing people help each other is very motivational. But that goes to say that everything where good is seen is motivating.
Be glad that you are earning $100 per hour part time. There are many people that would die for your position. Imagine if you made that into a full time gig. You’d be knee deep in cash. And if it were to be more money than you need, perhaps give $100 back to help those who truly need and deserve it. Your life will be enriched while others benefit too.
This story may also give you some good perspective.
The Mexican Fisherman
An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, "only a little while."
The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?
The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The American then asked, "but what do you do with the rest of your time?"
The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life."
The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise."
The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"
To which the American replied, "15-20 years."
"But what then?"
The American laughed and said that’s the best part. "When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions."
"Millions.. Then what?"
The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."
March 30th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Given you’ve been bothered by not living up to your potential, I would say you still have plenty of room to grow. If you have been questioning the purpose and direction of your life, try some community/volunteer work. Seeing people help each other is very motivational. But that goes to say that everything where good is seen is motivating.
Be glad that you are earning $100 per hour part time. There are many people that would die for your position. Imagine if you made that into a full time gig. You’d be knee deep in cash. And if it were to be more money than you need, perhaps give $100 back to help those who truly need and deserve it. Your life will be enriched while others benefit too.
This story may also give you some good perspective.
The Mexican Fisherman
An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, "only a little while."
The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?
The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The American then asked, "but what do you do with the rest of your time?"
The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life."
The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise."
The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"
To which the American replied, "15-20 years."
"But what then?"
The American laughed and said that’s the best part. "When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions."
"Millions.. Then what?"
The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."
References :
Enjoy life. Make the most of it, we won’t be here too long in the grand scheme of things.
March 30th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Most successful motivation is founded in IMAGERY. Build the right images (of what you want, how you will live, what your effort will do to change your life – or other’s lives) and then feed them to your sub-conscious mind continuously. The rest will follow.
References :
March 30th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
I guess one thing that motivates me is retirement. Think of saving for the future….one day you might want to retire and travel.
References :