| Have you ever started a new project full to the brim | | | | who you read about but here's some people I admire |
| with enthusiasm only to have your enthusiasm and | | | | greatly: Martin Luther King, Lance Armstrong, Helen |
| motivation wane as the months go by? When we're | | | | Keller, Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Horatio Nelson, |
| pursuing something of worth in our lives, enthusiasm | | | | Franklin D and Eleanor Roosevelt, Muhammad Ali to |
| and motivation are two very important factors. They | | | | name but a few. The beauty about this is that you |
| act as driving forces for us and keep us on course to | | | | read about people who achieved so much with their |
| achieve our goals. So how can we maintain high levels | | | | lives. You are learning about people who "walk the |
| of both? Try these ideas: | | | | talk" rather than listening to people who haven't done |
| 1. The most important one: Have at least one person | | | | anything and may well be negative about life. If you |
| in your life who is like-minded. This means someone | | | | want to achieve your dreams it is absolutely vital to |
| who wants to be the best they can be, who has | | | | stay positive. Reading about people you admire will |
| dreams and goals and takes action to make them a | | | | do for your positive attitude what pizzas do for your |
| reality. I know such people can be hard to find! They | | | | waistline, i.e expand it! |
| don't have to be following the same course in life as | | | | 4. Have a picture board and fill it with pictures of |
| you. My best friend is studying to become a pilot and | | | | your goals: Type of house, views of the area where |
| I enjoy computers and writing, yet because we love | | | | you want to live, car or boat or bike you want, |
| what we do, we help each other stay focused and | | | | jewelry, clothes - whatever it is you want! This is to |
| motivated. But where can you find similar people? | | | | give you a visual reminder everyday about the goals |
| Try clubs and associations connected with your | | | | you are pursuing and reminds you that what you are |
| interests, the workplace, and of course, the Internet. | | | | working towards is something very worthwhile. It |
| Pick any subject and I guarantee you will find groups | | | | boosts enthusiasm and keeps you focused and on |
| and forums for it online. Be proactive - seek out | | | | track. |
| positive people. What they bring into your life - and | | | | 5. Read quotations everyday. I'm a big believer in the |
| you theirs - is priceless. | | | | use of quotations to inspire and I'm always on the |
| 2. Watch inspirational movies. This is going to be | | | | lookout for new ones to add to my list of favourites. |
| down to personal taste, obviously, but here's a | | | | My list is 6 pages long and growing! Here's a couple |
| selection of films that inspire me: The Star Wars | | | | of good websites to checkout: & |
| films, Rocky I & II (the rest are no where near as | | | | And to practice what I preach and to close this |
| good!), Shawshank Redemption, Twelve Angry Men, | | | | article nicely, here is the lastest quote I've added to |
| Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, The Count Of | | | | my list and the one that inspired me to write this |
| Monte Cristo - There's many more but these are my | | | | article: |
| favourites and never fail to give me a boost. You | | | | "If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired |
| could also add to this videos and DVDs of your | | | | with enthusiasm." - Vince Lombardi |
| favorite sporting moments - in fact anything that | | | | And there you have 5 tips to help you maintain your |
| inspires you. Build your collection and watch them | | | | enthusiasm and motivation. Put all 5 to use and you |
| when you feel enthusiasm levels dropping. | | | | will stay positive and on course to achieve your goals! |
| 3. Related to the first tip: read biographies about | | | | Until next time. |
| people you admire. Again, personal taste will dictate | | | | |