The Art of Self-Motivation
Napoleon Hill

The greatest power we human beings have is the power to chose. But to choose, we must make a decision. Decisions are sometimes painful and often difficult. We have inherited instincts, emotions, feelings and tendencies. We develop moods habits and impulses. Even the most logical of us does not act from reason alone. We act on emotions and feelings as well as logic.

One very special thing about us is that we can use both reason and emotion to motivate ourselves at will. But to do so requires a leap of faith. We have to accept as fact that there are powers known and unknown that we can use to our advantage – forces that motivate us.

Motivation is simply defined as that which induces action or determines choice. It is that which provides a motive. Your motives are the inner urges that are yours alone. They are the things within you that incite you to action such as an idea, emotion, desire or impulse. It is the hope or other force which starts you in action in an attempt to produce specific results.

We have complex and often conflicting emotions, but successful people are those who learn to manage them. They overcome a natural tendency to fail by motivating themselves to do something unnatural – to succeed!

If you understand how motivation works in yourself you can go along way toward understanding others. When you can determine what motivates someone else, you will be a better manager because you can inspire your employees to set and reach higher and higher goals.  You will also be a better parent because you will be better equipped to help your children realize their potential, and if you understand what motivates a prospective buyer, you can sell him or her your ideas, your products, or your services. 

From: Succeed and Grow Rich Through Persuasion

I imagine you can use anything you can get your hands on about self-motivation in December.

Terrie