LESSON #16: How to Stay Motivated
In the previous lessons, we’ve talked about getting a vision for your business, setting goals, and creating a business plan.
However, all the effort you’ve put into building the foundation of your business will be for nothing unless you follow through and take action.
So today we’re going to talk about staying motivated…
(Watch this video…)
Main points:
Examples: Losing 5 pounds or getting a new car by a certain date = short term
Feeling good about yourself or living a certain lifestyle = long term
-My faith
-Family (external factor, but there is also internal side to it)
-A sense of fulfilling my purpose
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/thirteen-tricks-to-motivate-yourself.html
http://zenhabits.net/2007/02/top-20-motivation-hacks-overview/
Action steps:
1) Figure out what really motivates you internally
2) Make sure those things are a part of your vision
3) Think about whether your vision will motivate you for the long term, and if not, tweak your vision.
Even if you follow all of my advice from this lesson, there will still be times when you don’t feel motivated. There will be times when you don’t want to complete the steps. It involves a choice, and the choice is yours. I’ll be talking about it in the next lesson.
As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below. (Feel free to share something that motivates you)
Have a great day!
Hi Eric,
You are absolutely right about the importance of motivation. I think lack of motivation or failure to keep oneself motivated is one of the reasons why so many people fail to achieve their full potential and that include myself. I am impressed with your motivation to impart knowledge thru the lessons you have shared thus far despite the fact that you are doing it for FREE. Your sincerity is really a motivation for me to continue learning how to make a living online. Keep up the good work. Looking forward for the next lesson.
Thanks for your kind words Wilfred
For me choosing mentors and following their guidance. You said in one of your earlier tips was to choose a mentor. I chose you and Robert Kiyosaki from Rich Dad Poor Dad. Now I am watching Big Idea with Donny Deiutch and focusing on the B and I sectors. Reading Rich dad’s guide to investing the 3rd part of the series he states to focus on the quadrant that interests you the most read,watch as much about operating a business and investing you can. I watched the Big Idea last night it was about how to make your first million in tough times. During economic downtimes is the best time to start a business!! Just keeping focus and wake up every day as if had already met your goal!! Thanks Eric!
Sounds great Shane. You are a student of the business, and that is exactly what you want to be.
I love how you tied together goals and visions with short term and long term motivation…you really bring clarity and direction to something that can seem so difficult in identifing at times(at least for me). In the past a lot of my motivation has come from seeing an increasing amount of customers or payments. Now I realize that those are only short term motivators and I need to start focusing more on long term and internal motivation….thanks again for the great lesson!
We Give You 120 Individual Turnkey Websites With Your Paypal ID On Each
http://www.Instant-Paysites.com
Cool
And if you’re seeing an increase in customers and income, that IS a great motivator, so use it to your advantage as much as possible. But it’s good to have a long term internal motivator too, because you never know when hard times will hit and that income could be swept away. In a time like that, you have to pick yourself up and keep moving forward.
Thanks for the encouragement
This is great. For my is not hard to motivate myself, but is hard to keep motivation, in part because the info overload era in which we are leaving, each day there is something new that I am curious about it, I have to stop this madness for a while and concentrate in just one project at a time – this training - the building of my new on-line business.
I also think that is good if we have small successes down the road, they can help on keeping our motivation. If each important task produces some sort of a little success, this will help a lot on keeping motivation alive. What you think!
Regards Michaela
Yes I think little successes along the way are a huge source of motivation.
I was very interested in this lesson. I realize that my problem in the past with “staying the course” had to do more with losing that internal motivation that so often pushes me forward in the beginning.
I’m sure everyone here has heard of burn-out. That’s when a person joins a project in progress, quickly assesses the situation, makes tweaks and leads the team—and the goal line keeps getting set farther and farther into the distance. Eventually, that person becomes disassociated with the goal. The vision that put the person there in the first place gets lost in physical, emotional and mental weariness.
I suppose in ecommerce the nuts-and-bolts activity can be described as setting up a website, taking all the other steps necessary for creating interest, bringing visitors to your site and making conversions.
First traffic grows. You watch for clicks on links. You wonder why some links are clicked and others are ignored. Or why so many “hover” over a link but do not take the appropriate action. You learn more, go back and make tweaks until you start getting those conversions.
In ecommerce you are likely doing this all alone. You are making sales but certainly not the five or six figure monthly income you’d hoped for. Your family’s eyes glaze over when you speak of your progress and disappointments. You might be working on your financial statement when you realize that all your hard work boils down to about $4.70 an hour! Suddenly you are focusing on the cost of your enterprise and not the gain.
Even if you have a compelling reason for your undertaking, that vision starts to fade. You come to believe that you will always be putting in 10-12-14-hour days. That’s when you begin to feel the trap.
I have certainly felt it. I have certainly felt: okay, I’ve succeeded here, but now I’m faced with [this]. Are my rewards for performing [this—pick any negative] balancing my weariness of having to do it? You see I have lost the initial vision and all I see are the overwhelming negatives: spending more time, not less; the continual demand for creating content; measuring what works and what doesn’t for marketing a particular product or service; even locating your potential customer takes time. The sales at the end of the day no longer seem to compensate for the time and effort that went into getting the project rolling and continually having to refine it.
As I mentioned, this is a place I’ve found myself before—but never truly on my own as I am on the internet. I am hoping that personal choice to miss a deadline, to take a day to do something entirely different will help me shake the anxiety and allow me to return the next day refreshed with hope.
Elaine,
I have had to do that several times. You sometimes need to step back, take a day off, get focused on family, friends, alone time…whatever refreshes you. The day after day of duking it out with your computer and web sites, forums…it’s overwhelming and exhausting, even depressing if you’re not seeing results. There’s no quicker way to burn out and lose motivation than to let this business beat you up. You’re smart to realize this is something you must do and don’t feel guilty about it. Even people with j-o-b-s needs to take a day off occassionally!
Thanks for sharing this Elaine. I’m glad you have assessed yourself, and it sounds like you are on the right track to help yourself avoid anxiety and stay motivated.
Way to much emphasis is placed on the mindset in this business. You need to be active and work on your business but you are given the impression that because of your mindset you are not successful enough or because you don’t believe enough you are not making any money.It is very harmful idea. When I hear something like that on the seminar or elsewhere , it is difficult for me to stay motivated. ‘Vision boards’….Do you really have to be fanatic to make money? I don’t thing so.This is the thing I like about you Eric, you are so normal and I don’t see in you anything like that.You preach out of your own experience and there is no crazy stuff.
Hi Katarina - I believe that your mindset in any business is crucial. It’s not the whole story, but if you have a mindset that tells you you won’t succeed, or that you don’t deserve to make money then you won’t or you won’t make the millions. True, belief alone won’t make you money, the correct actions and the correct beliefs working together will. I personally have a vision board/treasure map and I find it very powerful. It works for me and having one doesn’t make you a fanatic about making money. it’s simply another way of physically focusing your mind on exactly what you want and recognizing opportunities when they show up.
I love to reade about how highly successful people became so, and one thing they all have in common is a certain mindset. What’s interesting is that it is often not the mindset they grew up with.
I think I know what you are saying. Some teachers put too much emphasis on the mindset, saying things like “if you just believe it, it will come true”…
Mindset is important in business, but you are right that it’s not about fanatasicm.
Great subject Eric. I can relate with Elaine comments when you start seeing your vision fading when you start to see your actual results that they don’t amount to much, then you start to doubt your vision if it will ever happen and your self-steem starts to suffer specially when is field that is completely new and one has no frame of reference or previous successes. I have been very interested and fascinated by the internet but never met anybody that really made a great amount of money online until recently and when I did that sparked a new excitement to learn it and make it work and continue to compete with myself.
“This business requires self motivation” I believe this is the KEY. External motivation may not last. When all things look going uphill, whether we have the Self Motivation to go again teh tide or not very much depend on our self not other people.
Enthusiasm is the key factor for you to stay motivated and to build successful business.
Enthusiasm will keep you maintain motivation day after day through the highs and lows.
To Your Success
Bryan Hee
Yes…I agree! Enthusiasm, Motivation, determenation and lots of energy with the ability to focus. Best of luck!
Yes enthusiasm is an important emotional component.
One of my favorite sales quotes is by Zig Ziglar:
“A sale is a transfer of enthusiasm from one person to another.”
Great job.Keep it up and God bless you.
On a less personal point, I just took a break and went to Barnes & Nobles. I read the latest Harvard Business Review, wherein an article on workplace motivation states the following 4 cause satisfaction or disatisfaction:
-Drive to acquire (what is important to me)
-Drive to bond (teams,coworkers relationships)
-Drive to comprehend (sense of the world around us; bad if the business is in crisis)
-Drive to defend (loyalty to the business)
Surely all of these play a huge part in OUR internet businesses. I can look at previous posts and see a bit of these there also.
Hope you found it interesting!
Kit
Yes that is interesting, thank you.
Eric,
A very good lesson. Thank you.
Hey Eric,
Previously getting motivated was really a hard task for me , i learned it the hard way but now things are much better. I’ve been telling myself everyday that I need to be financially free by the age of 35, and my daily motivation is staying out of employment for good. I dread to work for people, and I love running my own business.
Thanks for this great lesson and keep up the good work. Actually if not because of you I would still be lost on the Internet (trying everything out & getting information overload). Looking forward for your next lesson.
Your Free Digital Resource Center
http://www.dbookworm.com
Great video Eric, I feel like I have all the motivation that is needed. I have two websites up but it is discouraging when I have visitors but no sales. I have been studying everything on marketing and advertising. I feel like I am doing something wrong. With being a newbie at this I could really use some advise. I hope this will be covered on one of your future videos. I have enjoy each and every one so far! Sometimes I feel like I am runnning around in circles! Thanks for all the advice!
Sandy
Sandy, I paid an intro price, $17.00 to get in Real Coaching Club. It’$97.00/month after the intro. This is Eric’s & a few other guys site. Look @ Eric’s products. I am NOT an affiliate or get anything out of this, I just think it’s good. Maybe they can help you. In fact I know they could. Karen
Really good, Eric! - and very clarifing regarding short term - long term. You paint it so understandable. Should have seen this long ago, but I haven’t.
Tormod
hello Eric, am short of words to appreciate you for all the information you’ve been sending to me. thank you very, very, very much. actually for some time have been trying to reach you and ask you how i can really start this online business. right from the beginning of this year i promise myself i want to quit my job to be my own boss. and the only place my mind is shifted to is online business. pls. i need your help.
2ndly some time ago you sent me some free ebooks which have grown my desire in online business “virtual coporation, ebay and some others”, though have been making little money from it offline. and right now am trying to develop my website and add these ebooks to other books have writing for marketing, would you mind me doing that.
ilook forward to hear from Eric.
Michael (beginner in online business)
I lose focus on things because I get lazy or distracted. So I try to kep myself motivated by keeping my long term goals in mind. Learning ne thing to help my business keeps me interested.
Sucess often breeds more success, right? Yes I agree with you that vision is the long term key to staying motivated but success does help a lot. How do you keep others motivated as well is the question with they don’t see any success in what they’re doing? Yes, I know people are different and of course they all will have different reasons. At first, it’s ignorance on fire but after 2nd or 3rd month, the fire seems to die out and it’s now diffucult as a sponsor to light the embers, again so to speak. Any suggestions?
As you will see in the next lesson, commitment may be needed to get someone through the valleys until they find success. But I do agree that tasting success is one of the most powerful motivators. That’s why it’s good to start small and hit some goals in the first months.
Hi Eric,
Great Lesson.
Unless you are motivated,you can’t move forward.Internal motivation is so important than external factors as these are short term.
I feel motivated when i can help others,completing a big task which i love to do.
Thanks for sharing.
Best Wishes,
Kannan Viswagandhi
http://www.growing-self.blogspot.com
I’ve never really had a problem motivating myself when I want to achieve something. I find I am able to focus on whatever I put my mind to. There are two things that I know do motivate me though… one is that I love challenges. I want to be abe to look back later in life and say I wanted to do something and I did it despite the obstacles. I’ve taked calculated risks based on this motivator and one thing I’ve found is that it also encourages others that they can do the same. My other motivator is that, when it comes to my life I’m never satisfied with just the “good” if I feel there is a chance of achieving something better or greater. A short while back I wrote a press release vision, which is of me giving an interview about my multimillion dollar copywriting and publishing empire. I didn’t post it of course but I shared it with a group of like minded people - who also wrote their own. While I haven’t physically arrived at that point yet,as far as I am concerned the steps I am taking daily are getting me closer to what is already there and established - my vision, which is very detailed. I believe in “believing it before you see it,” and that is one or my more powerful motivators. I then use intention, focus, persistance and my goals to move towards my vision.
As you say, sometimes you just don’t feel motivated when you’re going day to day… especially when you’re not seeing the results you want. That’s just the way it is - no one can be “up” all the time. What I do then is read motivational books, listen to tapes, look at what I am doing, talk to people who can inspire me with how they overcame similar obstacles, or switch actions and do something completely different for a while. Then come back to my actions. At the end of the day, achieving your goals and vision means you have to choose to keep taking the neccessary actions for success… even when you feel less than motivated.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Values (Needs) in Action
Hi Eric, Soul searching and Dispassionate Observation Time.
I owe you a hundred bucks! …or whatever the going psychotherapy rate is. I found that the thing which drives me to the computer is a need for financial security ( Maslow’s second level). I have to find a way to support myself once my current source of funds ends. I struggle past pain and a brain that is fickle, to way the least.
The thing which KEEPS me at the computer is the love of learning and expression. ( Maslow’s top value) My business plan is built on using this love and my writing talents.
This echoes your intrinsic and external model.
Also, on a practical note. I have enrolled in International Living.com’s postcard newsletters. They send a steady flow of pictures, showing me the life of my dreams. Nothing like those pictures to refresh the day!
Thanks again,
Colin
That’s cool Colin, and that’s a neat way to stay motivated
And of course the sentence should be “I’ve taken” not “I’ve taked” Ack!
Eric,
I am guilty of this.I find it challenging to take action consistently. Thanks for the tip.I shall re-evaluate myself accordingly.
Ibrahim
Thank you Eric, for providing us with such great insights and advice. My clear vision and goals, short and long term, serve as the catalyst for my motivation and staying focused. I am determined to succeed in achieving all my goals and then some. I am grateful to have the opportunity to benefit from your knowledge, experience and success that you so generously share with us.
Money is a great motivation to start, but not to keep going when it gets tough. You have to reach deep inside. Providing for family and loved ones, knowing they are depending on me is what keeps me going when I’d rather quit.
Thanks for the valuable information Eric, it a common mistake that many people make.
Your video has reinforced the concept within me.
Thanks once again
Hi Eric and all
Motivation in an info overloaded environment is a big challenge for me. Together with all the distractions we face on a daily basis, we can easily drift away from our goals. I don’t know if you will dedicate a lesson on staying on focus, but I think this is my biggest challenge that causes me to loose motivation.
Thanks for the lesson and the links in your post that include some very useful tips.
Sherif
Thanks Eric, for such a Great lesson on motivation. I would like to share my short term motivations, which kept me going, but not long enough. The no.1 goal was to make some money in the online business which I had learnt after attending a internet marketing seminar.
After I got a couple of thousands, I had achieved my goal. Then I lost “MY FOCUS”. I had failed to understood the BIG PICTURE - MY Vision.
Today, after going through lesson 16, I have realized the difference between “MY VISION” & “MY GOALS”. It great to be here…
Thanks
Julius
http://www.communicatetoriches.com
Thanks Eric again for the great lesson!
For me you are the real example to follow. I appreciate every tips you are sharing with us. Thanks for the links,
Halina
Thanks Eric, as always a great lesson and some motivation for my online business.
Thanks for everything
Mike
Extra Income for life. See more details at http://www.NextIM.ws
Hi Eric,
Yours explanation is obsolutely right, we can feel & see ourself as how we are going to move with your clues. Isn’t easy to motivate as we normally saying.
We knew it’s tough but talking by expertise like you do motivate us.
Isn’t just your lessons but your trueself with ongoing lessons do motivate us to success.
Ths, regards
Hi,
I believe that people become demotivated because they have started out with unrealistic expectations, and when they are unfulfilled they get disillusioned.
In their sales letters many marketers talk of people making ‘$000s within months sometimes even days.
But I find it more informative to read their backstories of how they have spent 3, 5 maybe even 7 years getting to their present position.
I dont know how long it might take me, but I’m assuming it will take at least 12 months before I can determine whether it is worth continuing….so if some days go slow…that’s in the nature of things, and as some one famously said “tomorrow is another day” (lol)
Thanks for all your efforts Eric.
Harry
Proper foundation will lead to greater chances of success! That is a great motivational factor that will unlock the key to wealth.
Together we shall win!
Adesegun Akitoye
http://www.repeatrichrelief.com/pips.html
A timely reminder Eric!
My music is my long term vision, but short term goals need to be clearly set along the path.
Bodywork therapies are part of my short term money at present too, but divides my time setting both short term goals with them, and still the holism and upliftment from therapies also is part of my long term vision. Wonder if I am too divided here, but feel both areas - music and bodywork therapies - are important.
http://www.myspace.com/atenrabodyworks
A few months ago I took 2 young boys fishing. They were 13 & 15 years old. They had never been fishing and were very excited to get to go. I showed them how to tie on baits how to cast and they were eager to learn.
After fishing for about 1 hour and not catching anything (not even getting a bite) their motivation for fishing was gone. My insightful lessons on persistence and simply enjoying nature around them fell on deaf ears. They concluded on the way home that “they just weren’t fishermen”.
Recently, after months of trying to get them to go fishing with me again they finally agreed. There was no excitement about the trip. You could tell they had zero expectation that they would catch any fish.
We caught bunches of fish. Now every time I see these boys they ask me to take them fishing. It’s amazing what catching some fish did for these boys motivation.
Yes, Eric and Len,
This is exactly what I said early on, if we structure our plan and work in a way that we will start to see a little success as we progress with our tasks, our motivation will receive a great bust. My problem in the past wasn’t the “initial motivation”; it was “keeping motivation alive”.
I really think that the starting point of having some success in the middle of the learning curve has a great value in it.
Regards
Michaela
http://www.ebookscamp.com
And there is another lesson there Len… that we often tend to give up far too soon. We don’t see immediate results - we conclude that we can’t do it and give up. Sometimes all we need to do is, as you said, persist until we achieve.
Great illustration, thanks!
Hi Eric,
It’s been awhile since we received lesson 16. What’s up? Have I missed lesson 17,18,19… or you have been busy and didn’t have time for lesson 17?
Look forward to lesson 17 soon!
It will be posted tomorrow. Yes, I’ve been busy, and thank you for your patience!
[…] the previous lesson, we talked about motivation. More specifically, we talked about the need for long term, intrinsic motivation, and about how it […]
My vision is = To make money online. What motivates me is = I know you can make money online but I don’t know how to. I have made some money online but I want to have a monthly income coming in. My biggest vision is to pass this on to my children. My goal is = to sell products online (affiliate). I have been on the internet now 2 years and the only thing that keeps me from getting discouraged is = I KNOW YOU CAN MAKE MONEY I JUST NEED THE KNOW HOW! When I decided I wanted to be a nurse I just couldn’t go to the hospital and say I want to work as a nurse. I had to go to school and learn how to be a nurse. This is the same with making money online. There is alot to learn and I am determined to do it. Then I will be able to reap the benefits later like quit my job, enjoy my family, vacation (my vacation is taking time off from work to get caught up with my work at home), no more 12 hours shifts to work, no more working with lazy people and the biggest one the POLITICS in the work place. All of the above what motivates me. As you can see I am still here.
Eric your advice is remarkably precise and includes so many things that most people would not think even about. Your lessons are truly building me that excellent platform and I feel as though I will be fully equipped and confident and any future business adventures. Thanks.
Eric please tell me how i can quickly start my business. i have actually no time to read a lot of instruction.please tell me brifly how i can earn money.
sandipan- that’s not really my style. There’s plenty of so-called experts out there who will tell you how to get rich quick. But what I’ve discovered is that those methods don’t work for most people. Those who seek the get rich quick methods usually don’t learn how to build a viable business, and that’s the epidemic that I’m trying to counter. If you don’t know the fundamentals of business building, there are two ways you can go about it…
1) Trial and error. Just jump in and fail as fast as possible. Then you can try again, and try again, until you understand how to do it. This is how many successful people get started, but it usually takes years.
2) Take the time to learn. This does not guarantee success, but it can cut down your learning curve significantly and help put you on the right track.
Hi!
Eric this is perfect example of commitment, you stay with your conviction to do think the way you consider to be the right way, and this is the way which gets your success as an Internet Marketer.
Actually this is what we want to find out from you, not another get rich quick scheme.
I want to replicate a good business pattern, something which is coming from experience and is durable in time. Thanks again.
Michaela
Hi Eric,
To achieve one’s goal and vision,one must have
the commitment,dedication,determination and
perseverance .They play a huge role in determining one’s success.Stay focus and march
forward whatever it takes.
Thanks Eric for your vision.
God bless
Mike Wong
Hi Eric, we all have the tendency to want immediate results but the slow and steady rule. Good things come to him that waits!
Hi Eric,
Thank you very much for your introductory video. I am looking forward for all the lessons, presented in one shot, so that whenever i have leisure time, i can make use of it, ie., kindly share those 100 lessons or first 1-50 lessons, which i can pursue step by step.
Once again thanks for the clear presentation and your mission/vision.
Cheers,
Ganesh
Hi Eric,
When I saw the cover mail i never expected to see any content as intersting as this as there is nothing technically related to IM.Surprise Surprise!This article hits right on the nail.Everyone is proming you thousand and one things and a newbie tensts to get distracted easily though the ultimate vision remains the same.I can now i identify some draw backs of mine and the action that should be taken.
I found Janices and Lens commeents too are enlightening.Thanks every one.
rgds
Great lesson Eric. To digress, where do you get the images that you use in your video from?
I got some from a royalty free package of images I bought… some are from istockphoto, some are pics I took… some are screenshots.
Hi Eric
This is probably the most important lesson you’ve given so far. I have been on line for 3 years now and I work very hard but still have not made my fortune. Why because motivation when you are on your own is hard.
I am currently rethinking my vision. Goals are easy to put down but vision is hard.
I need to think what does motivate me and then set my vision accordingly.
I think my major motivation is helping others. This is shown in my personal life because I am a chairman of two pensioner groups and a leader of health walks all of which entails helping others. Financially I have enough money to live on and frankly money doesn’t motivate me. I do love the business I run because it is selling toys but my joy comes when I see my grandchildren playing with them.
Perhaps I shouldn’t be in business but I would then lose the joy of seeing happy children. What would be interesting would be to see how you used your inner motivation to arrive at your vision.
Eric, I have been following the lessons all the way, but have not posted. But today I was struck by the revelation that I am an external motivated person by upbringing. Through parents, teachers, work, always other people to motivate me. Now I realize why these lessons have been so overwelming. I thought I needed someone else to tell me to go ahead, that sounds like a good idea. But now I realize that it is up to me to make the choice. Thank you Eric.
Hello Eric,
I am sorry I have been away all this while,I have been on Course.I am sorry once again.
Uour Entrepreneurer,
Graham.
Hi Eric,
Thanks you for sharing such practical advise. For me personally, motivation comes from determining my WHY. My long term vision is to gain financial freedom. By that I mean, being able to maintain my lifestyle without going to work. My website has been running for some time. I tried using various search engines optimization tools but still have not seen the results. Now I feel more confident that I am gaining more knowledge to get a real business going.
Eric, I have my vision and I am motivated, all i need is more of your great know how, I can hardly wait to get my feet wet, I can’t say it enough Thanks again for all your hard work. P.S. I have started reading How To Win Friends and Infuence People by Dale Carngie, great book. Thanks, James
Eric, thank God for you. You are my blessing. I’m motivated by my faith also cause without Jesus I just could not make it. Thanks for the lesson and for trying to counter the epidemic of methods that others put out there but don’t work for most of us.
eric, thanks so much for your lessons, i watch them because i new to this business and you teach in a way that’s clear to me. I have a site, and dont know how to navigate it. its so frustrating. the c-panel is like another language, so i’m learning the language, the Adminstrative area is difficult also, is there some place where i can get some help from someone when i need it? I hope u read this and answer my pray!
It depends on what you need help with. Your web host (ie. Hostgator) can answer a lot of questions, and most likely has a forum available.
If you need to hire someone to help with your site, you can get cheap help for small projects at http://www.rentalcoders.com
Thank you Eric for these lessons. I really enjoy reading the honest, heart-felt responses posted here. It makes me feel more trusting of my own feelings and inspirations to see others posting their feelings and experiences. As a result my vision becomes more real to me. That is motivational!
Hi Eric-great TIPS!-Eric what is the VISION for your business and why do you what you do?
Thanks for lesson. I have been blown out of the water so many times trying to make money on the net. I have spent way to much much money and have seen little in return. It is now become very clear to me that I was missing a foundation. I have motivation and vision but I was trying to build a business without a strong foundation. I was building on sand and not concrete. Thanks for giving back to all of us that have been struggling. God Bless Bless
Hi Eric. I seem to have lost lesson 13. Would you be able to resend it to me, please? Thanks, and thank you for all of the great tips, Darrell.
here it is: http://www.ericstips.com/tips/lesson13/
HI ERIC!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TODAYS TIP!
THE GOING IS ALREADY TOUGH FOR ME!
ON YESTERDAY TIP I DID NOT POST ANY COMMENTS!
I WAS JUST BORRED! BUT HOWEVER I’M MOTIVATED BY YOUR TIPS, SPECIALY THIS ONE! I KNOW I HAVE TO BE PATIENT! SOME TIMES I WOULD LIKE TO START RIGHT AWAY! BUT I KNOW I WILL GET STUCK ALONG THE ROAD. HEY! I WOULD LIKE BE AS MOTIVATED AS YOU ARE. PROVERBS 6:6-11.I LIKE TO GET BUSY TOO. THE 3 MOTIVATION ASPECTS YOU STATED ARE THE SAME AS MINE.PROVERBS 10:23. ONLY I MISS THE DOLLARS YOU HAVE! AWAITING FOR THE SUNSHINE I REAMAIN.
Thanks Eric again for the great lesson!
For me you are the real example to follow. I appreciate every tips you are sharing with us. Thanks for the links,
Taking action is the key. It doesn’t matter what motivates you to take action to achieve your dreams.
Throughout most of my life I have been driven by internal motivation. My parents never had to remind me to practice the flute — I did it because I wanted to perform well at my lessons and in school band and orchestra. While I was not an “A” student in high school, I did my homework every night because I wanted to learn the subject. Okay, I admit that there were times when I did my homework because my parents had instilled in me the importance of doing it. Looking back, the only area of my life where I lack motivation is my health. I cannot seem to keep an exercise or eating program going. I always find more important things to do….
I usually perform the action steps as soon as I finish watching the video — while the messages in the video are still fresh in my mind. Occasionally, I have had to put it off for a while to get my “ducks in a row.” The business plan was one of those times. I was able to finish it before I went on to this lesson — still on the day I received it.
My major motivation for succeeding in business is two-fold, with one part being more important than the other. These are:
1) To feel like I am somebody — to leave my mark on the world so people will know I was here. In the back of my mind is the image that no one will be at my funeral when the time comes — scary!!
2) To live the rest of my life free of financial woes. I am not asking to become a gazillionaire or anything. I just want to be in a position where ALL my needs and wants are possible and I can give abundantly to charities and my church. Once I am free of obligations such as the mortgage and school loans, money will not be much of a motivator any more. I am actually looking forward to that day. Once my current situation is resolved, I vow to never be poor again!
Louise
Thanks Eric!
I am highly motivated to achieve my vision of a successful future in internet marketing because this is a perfect fit for the way that I want to live the other half of my life. My vision for the future is what motivates me since I have created a compelling future that will be quite different than my present life. You are right, it is the vision that will motivate for the long term-not the goal. Thanks for letting me see that!
Thanks for this much needed. Now I understand why I gave up in the past. I need to make sure my business vision inspires me to continue taking action no matter what happens.
I am internally motivated to achieve my goals. I am highly motivated. I have no problem doing what is needed to succeed. Sometimes I have trouble even getting off of the computer, which can be a problem sometimes. My vision is to help others which keeps me inspired.
My family is my motivation, and the reason I’ve started this journey, so that I can provide for them long term, and help to take care of their needs. As long as I keep that in the forefront, I’ll continue to stay motivated to grow my business successfully…
Hell Eric prince here. Thanks for reinforcing the motivation thing. I know myself to be self motivated, but sometimes I lose track of what I’m suppose to be doing. This is the key self motivation because life will always give you the unexpected, and you can’t always rely on others to pull you up. Thank God because for some reason everytime I face any kind of struggle, get more determine. I guess God shoud allow more problems in my life. This not to preach to anybody, but it works for me. I like encourage others to find something daily that is bigger than their daily problem. Eric thanks again for reminding me. foloow me on twitter.com/sam1847
my motivation has and will always be doing the best i can for my family.i worked long hours and long weeks but i always set aside time to be with my wife and daughters i wanted them to never do without.now there on their own and this is something i want to do for my wife and i.i want to suceed to show them that i never give up on dreams and they should follow their heart to sucess.i would like to make money on the internet thats why i started this course but its not why i continue,the more i learn from you the better i feel, i know following your advise will work.but i do need something to show my wife that i can do this even if it s only making a hundred she’ll know that the time i spend on the computer will pay off.i work at this harder then i did when i was working for a living,i’m not looking to get rich quick.i’m looking at staying mentally active in my retirement and i believe i will eventuality make this work and maybe have something to pass on to my grandchildren like an ongoing internet business thats my real motivation. thank you eric.
Hi Eric, I think I lose motivation when I encounter something that I am actually afraid to do. I might take longer to get up the courage to actually move on something. Making phone calls and talking about financing is especially hard. When I’m procrastinating I’ll find some project around the house that “I just have to do..” which is really just me stalling…sometimes I may even attack the fridge while I’m processing the negative stuff in my head. I hope to do less of this as I gain some experience and get more confident.
Thanks for the tips. I will use them along the way.
Eric, thanks for the tips. My motivation is to get out of my rat race job. I work for someone else making them money and just getting by. even with yearly raises the cost of living just kills me. that is motivation to get my business online. We been making some profit off of it I am wanting it to blow the roof off so I can quit my fulltime job.
dyuane
Hi Eric;I like Len,s fishing story; if i could catch my 1st dollar in internet marketing think i could stay motivated but until then i got keep the vision and it might b hard. Can u make a internet marketer out of x-coalminer and unemployed owner operator truck driver? third carreer; help; KEEP THE FAITH
I don’t think your past occupation really qualifies or disqualifies anyone’s ability to become an Internet marketer. So can someone with your job history do it? Sure. But like I said in lesson #3, it’s not for everyone. But if you’ve got the desire to make it happen and you take action, I believe you can do it.
I have found that sometimes motiviation is lost, as you said ,when you have achieved something. When you get to a “comfort zone” it becomes harder to take the nex step. This I guess is where keeping a strong vsion comes in or is it something elese?
Hi Eric,
You make more sense every time I listen to you.
I will tweak my vision and goals as I understand them much more clearly.
Regards Butch
Thanks for another great lesson Eric. I felt good about this one because I do need help staying motivated. Also, I was pleased with myself because my vision did include intrinsic motivation.
I’m always looking forward to the next lesson. You may have mentioned it before but is there a reason why you present these lessons in short simple tips over a span of several months instead of all at once? Is there a higher percentage of people following through this way?
When I’m done with them, they will be available all at once so people can go at their own pace
But in general I do think it’s best for most people to take it slow, otherwise they tend to skip action steps and get ahead of themselves.
Hi Eric,
To stay motivated, firstly we got to think positively. Second, self-discipline. Without it, I think it’s difficult to stay on course.
Regards,
Bert
You are inspiring,selfless, inteligent and cool! SOO happy i “found” you.
God Bless***
the only motivation i have is the small amount of money i generated from adsense a day. very small, but it lets me know I can make it big.
Thanks for your teaching.Now I know my vision, make me more motivation to do my goals.
I know it`s a very important to take action, without this I couldn`t fulfill my goal; making money, making ebook, helping people to solve their problem.
This is actually an important lesson on stayng motivated, its the bedrock of achivement. What motivates me is close to Eric, my family and a sense of fulfillment of my purpose or the fact hat iam on track for m purpose and call motivates me. Thanks Eric for saying it again
I am so full of motivation right now… short term and long term motivation. I couldn’t write down all of it, but after more than 13 years in Thailand, I will have to go back to Germany by next month. Business was not good last year, and due to difficulties I will have to leave my wife here in Thailand. I have to come back as soon as possible. This is my biggest motivation. I want to, I have to, and I will succeed with in IM.
All the best,
Arne
hi eric;
how are i mean fine. i will be very pleased saying thanks to you. with your fantastics lessons i mean i will be very happy that i could succed befor your lessons.
it is very enjoyable and you have one of the best training in business so what i’m asking tu you now is to be in keeping in me as you can give me somme good gifts of training in business online lesson.
thank you and i’m looking forward to hear from you soon thanks.
hi; very happy thanks so much and see you
love your tips did you send out lesson 17 yet if so where can i get it for some reason i didnt recieve it
My problem is not so much motivation as it is about distraction. Staying on task is my biggest challenge. My motivation lasted as long as I was online (a couple of years…working at it 18 hours a day…7 days a week). When I was faced with the very hard decision, get evicted or pay my internet service provider, well, obviously, it wasn’t really a decision. I was forced to give up my online business venture.
However, what did prevent me from doing the right things at the right time was my lack of focus on each task. I would get easily distracted with social marketing, building relationships, checking out the next big marketing tools and products, etc. And, yes, I did limit my motivation’s effectiveness by engaging in the survival mentality, rather than tying my motivation to my vision.
Perhaps I would have been more willing to stay on task if I had developed my (motivision)–I just made that up– more.
My motivations:
1. As a single mom, providing as many opportunities for my daughter as I can;
2. getting and staying healthy;
3. being in a position to give to others–rather than always taking;
4. not having to tell my child that I don’t have the money to get her new shoes or a skirt or jeans, or hot lunches, etc.;
5. having the freedom and the means to enjoy life…both in it’s simplicity and in the finer things;
6. not ever having to worry about how to keep a roof over my family’s head again;
7. having the means to be accountable to bill collectors on time, every time, without fail;
8. being a productive, problem solving citizen.
Eric you have very good programs go on
My main internal motivations are my faith, my family, and i absolutely dread ever having to work in a J O B again. I’m still in the learning curve so my motivation is high to keep learning and applying what i know. If/When i hit those tough tedious days then taking some time out for me is usually my strategy. Enjoying it all so far Eric, Thanks.
I have to admit that I have lack of motivation sometimes. I used to be a person who didn’t gave up. Then something happened and I lost everything. Now I’m back on my feets again, but sometimes I’m not that motivated as I should be. Okay, I just have to tweak my visions like you said.
Kari
What motivates me is the satisfaction of helping others. To see the happiness in their faces.
This was a good lesson. I have to keep motivated because of my vision - retirement and lack of any pension plan. I want the lifestyle of freedom without financial worries.
It helped me re-evaluate and see that I am and need to remain on track. Thanks
Motivation is definitely NOT a problem!!! However, staying awake @ 12;26 am. is a serious challenge after seeing my first born GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL!!! I NEED SOME MONEY TO SEND HER TO COLLEGE!!! And I have three more little motivators behind her. And then there’s Mom…if Mom ain’t happy…’nuff said…Besides, there’s a great big part of the world I haven’t seen YET. Good night, I ABSOLUTELY MUST BE ALERT TO ACCOMPLISH SEEING MY VISION THROUGH TO COMPLETION…AND BEYOND!!!
Eric,
Thanks for this great lesson! Its not easy to stay motivated when you have your own business (especially in the beginning!) But, with mentors like you, it becomes a lot easier fast!!
Eric,
I Know what keep you motivates
help people success.
Thank for keep me motivates
on being a marketing on the
internet
Hiya Eric, motivation seems to have gone from me at this time. I had it when I was younger, yes I wanted an Opel Manta which was my favourate car at the time and got it.( well two in the end actually) Then I got myself a mobile fish and chip van, a big commer dodge like those security vans you see driving around. ( big mistake,took a loan on my house,lasted 7mths and lost my house.)Too soon after being out on the sick with ciatica ( trapped nerve in my back) for the previous 11mths. Now twenty years later i’ve been on line for over five years, I bought my computer to make moneybut until now zip.
Unfortunately little did I know that in those five years i’ve got prostate cancerand havebeen having treatmentfor well over a year now. I ‘m tellig you this for a bit of sympathy,( I hate that) but to say, ok i’m back at work and have been for a few months now but still have to have hormone injections every three months for the next three years,and this where my dillema is. IT TAKES ALL YOUR GO AWAY BECAUSE THE SOUL PUPOSE IS TO KEEP TOUR TESTOSTERONE LRVELS DOWN.I can walk around all day withall the miserable people all day and there are many there and wear a smile, mainly to “annoy the ‘orrible gits” but back home after i’ve made my tea and read my emails, hundreds sometimes i’ve got nothing left. Will I give up? No chance! How do I find more to motivate myself to get all of that stuff on my hard drive working for me?I WILL FIND A WAY I’VE COME TOO FAR NOW!*****Ron UK.
Hello Eric.
I believe another part to succeeding is to give thanks for what you have and what you will receive in the future. When I look around me I realize just how lucky I am despite being on disability due to MS. I am thankful for me faith, family and all that I am and have and all that I will become and will receive. This is how I stay motivated. It’s only part of the equation as I also believe you must have a vision and set goals in order to achieve your ultimate goal. Having a positive attitude will go a long way to helping you achieve your vision of your future. Staying positive takes practice but if you take time to give thanks,everyday, for what you do have or for what you achieved that day it will become easier to remain positive while working towards your ultimate goal.
Well, that’s my two cents, I thought I’d mention it as it has been the motivator in my life since I was about 17 or 18 yrs old and I remain positive no matter what is thrown my way. God is there to carry me when I need Him.
Regards,
Claude
Hi Eric, What motivates me is my self motivation but we are not perfect I do have low days and high days…JAD
HI Eric.
Am going through your site and tips. Well im all over the shop, Doing this course as often as possible. Due to other commmitments.
IAbsolutely enjoying it.
Have been online looking to make money on the net since last xmas.
My son gave me Prepaid internet.
My computer skills are limited to playing wargames before the net….Not much skill needed there.
Know alittle bit about MLM ppc and affiliate marketing . Know there is money to be made there.
Have brought a little bit Not much Mainly because i realise i need it to succeed.
You have to invest in your future to succeed, or die trying.
I have patient about goig into this venture as i dont know exactly is neededto make this work for me
THENCE the PATIENCE
I am 61 yrs old am working but not for long, am only casual, and i want out
Thoroughly enjoying all your correspondense what a FABULOUSSSS website you have
Thoroughly enjoying all the info that you have made available to me.
would absolutely enjoy talking to you if possible.
Any way back now to reading and listening to your tips No 15, altough it is definetly not in order
MY goalsetting has taken a new turn in the last 24 hrs
Thank you, I even looked at your video through different eyes….FABULOUS….
Im learning.
Thanking you
laurie reid ……
There is a mismatch between my internal motivation and my business vision. I need to come up with an information product that people will want to buy. Although I personally may be interested and motivated to spend time on Topic X or Topic Y, I can’t turn those two topics into an income-generating stream. My online business will provide me with income, for which I am grateful, but I don’t feel passionate about it the same way as I do about other topics which I research on the Internet out of genuine curiosity.
Hi Eric, what motivates me is knowing that I can be in control of my own earnings without an external force, such as an employer telling me what to do, when to do, and here is what you get paid, regardless of how much you performed for the employer. I want to be in control of my own earning destiny in a more free enterprise manner through my own business, rather than through the confines and control of an employer…Friends, Lloyd.
Thank you for another great lesson. Very informative and inspiring.
Very valuable reminder Eric. One easily gets caught up in the rush to conclude short term issues, forgetting the fuel for long term success comes from your inner source. Your vision on life. So work on that and the rest will be manageable and sustainable.
Hi Eric!
This session was also interesting topic. Yes, it made me think seriously about what I have to …. and what I want to … short term and long term..differents: goal and vision etc etc…thanks for all of those you described clearly…
Faith, this is my core of motivation. Faith in my destiny. I feel that I must work for my family and myself. I am unemployed and my wife works each day. I get tired of having to ask for things. I am motivated short term to be able to provide for self and others.
Thank you Eric. Great Lesson.
I’m reminded of a favorite quote of mine: Vision without a task is only a dream. A task without a vision is but drudgery. But vision with a task is a dream fulfilled.
Can you explain some more examples of internal motivation?
Thanks
What do you live for? What gets you out of bed in the morning (other than hunger for breakfast)? Do you believe in God? What motivates you to do GOOD things in the world?
My Faith is also the major motivation along with my family. To be able to serve and make a difference for others also helps me to keep focused.
Hi Eric,
The factor which motivates me is my desire to create value or helping others through my service/product. There is a long way to go though.
Hi Eric,
My internal motivation is to fulfill my vision. My vision for this business is such that its fulfillment is never ending and at the same time it will complete my life.
I am motivated internally and it is tied to my vision. I am looking forward to completing the foundation lessons and begin to grow my business.
This is more great information. Can’t wait to
start building. Thank you for all of this.
HEY ERIC. IVE LEFT A COUPLE QUESTIONS. ONE IN LESSON 15,AND ONE A WEEK OR SO BACK,AND I DON’T SEE THEM IN ANY OF THE(ADD YOUR COMMENTS)I DON’T KNOW WHAT IM DOING WRONG. I WRITE THE COMMENT,HIT SAY IT,I SEE IT IN A BOX ABOVE,BUT ITS NOT THERE WHEN I COME BACK TO SEE IF THERES A RESPONNS TO MY QUESTION. ????? MIKE
Hello Mike,
If you go to lesson 15, you will see our reply. All comments have to be manually approved when we get a chance, due to the rampant spam that even the best spam blockers are unable to block.
HEY ERIC, I DON’T SEE MY MESSAGES AFTER I POST THEM WHEN I COME BACK TO CHECK I GOT A RESPONSE ???? MIKE
See reply above!
THANKS FOR THE FOUNDATION YOUR BUILDING.BEFORE YOU CAN BUILD A HOUSE IT NEEDS A SOLID FOUNDATION. TAKE CARE MIKE
For the most part I have been staying motivated even though I haven’t made any money. I know it can be done and I know I can do it. My problem is days when my focus wains. When I’m still working but not efficiently. Today was one of those days but I was able to keep plugging away. I got my focus back by concentrating on 2 topics. Since I was bouncing all over from emails I knew I couldn’t just do one thing today. It worked and I got a lot done. I just have to think of how I will have to go back to a dreaded job soon if I don’t start making some money. 4 kids are not cheap! I look forward to your nightly lesson. It is something I can count on. Stability is hard to maintain in this kind of business. Thank you so much.
I’m with you eric man,
keep up the good work
Cultivating a reasonable view of what we can do will spare us many frustrations. By setting balanced goals, we have a sense of achievement despite our limitations. We thus rejoice over what we can accomplish, even if it is relatively modest.—Gal. 6:4.
I am motivated to get started,. My big thing is not getting over loaded with information. And also people telling me on line businesses will not work. I need to stay forcus on my goals.