Do you lack motivation? I must confess, even I have periods when I am not particularly motivated. I have times when I just want to goof off, drink some beer with friends, watch some dopey show on TV or take a nap. I don't think you would be human if you were doing something all the time. You would be some sort of boring robot.

However, overall I would say that I am very motivated to achieve all sorts of things. The thing is this - when I am particularly motivated to do something I really do mow down the work in front of me. I am always challenging myself to go faster, be more productive and to find better ways of doing things. When I work, I REALLY work - no mucking around!

The hardest part of doing anything is to make a start. A trades-person will often spend as much time assembling the tools as doing the job. Making a start is essential. If that is your problem then might I suggest that you get a clock and work as hard and as fast as you can for 15 minutes. When you have done that sit back and look at what you have done. Often it will inspire you to keep going.

Often I will "chunk" my work into 15, 30 or 60-minute blocks of time. I compete each successive block with each preceding block to see how much more I can get done.

I am always working with targets. For instance, I have set myself a target of 15 minutes to write this article then another 15 minutes to edit and polish it. So far, at this point I have only consumed seven minutes of my time in writing. That leaves me more time to edit and polish, or it may mean that I finish the whole thing quicker than I anticipated. That is always a bonus.

If motivation or, more correctly, lack of motivation is your biggest hurdle then try the techniques I mentioned above. One other thing you might like to try is rewarding yourself after you have successfully completed a target block. Let's say you are digging a trench. Set yourself a point at where you will take a five-minute break and reward yourself with a nice cold lemon juice. How refreshing that would be.

Motivation is all about having a clear plan, setting targets, marking off checkpoints and giving yourself the occasional reward. When I finish this article my reward will be to make myself a nice cup of black tea. I have now taken just over ten minutes to complete my goal of writing this. The proofing and editing took only three and a half minutes. My little rest and that cup of tea now awaits me.

This article comes with reprint rights providing no changes are made and the resource box below accompanies it.

Gary Simpson

Gary Simpson lives in Perth, Western Australia.

His passions are writing (of course), reading, karate, body building, investment and growing tropical palms.

His website is devoted to helping people achieve greater success and self esteem through personal development.

Gary is a regular contributor to numerous magazines and newspapers. His articles and short stories appear in many forums. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, they are now being shared worldwide.

He has written eight books:

LARGE VOLUMES:

- "Journey,Life and Destiny" - personal development (2 vols)

- "How to Save $1000's and Increase Your Personal Net Wealth"

- "Brain Training - Affirmations to Strengthen Mind and Body"

- "Strike Back 1" - Self Defence Instruction Manual

- "Strike Back 2" - Self Defence Instruction Manual

SHORT VOLUMES:

- "The Power of Choice" (FREE e-book) - a popular story about a man looking back on his achievements from the hereafter. It is a poignant story that has received accolades from all over the world - from Iceland to Canada to Great Britain to Morocco to New Zealand to the Czech Republic to the USA - and dozens of countries in between.

The Power of Choice is a free resource and can be downloaded directly from Gary's website.

- "Using Motivation and Self Esteem to Excel in Everything You Do" (FREE e-book) - valuable resource to introduce newcomers to the wonders of personal development. This book is available on request. You can secure your copy by leaving your name and email address (no "hotmail" addresses accepted) at his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website.

Gary's unique approach has been shaped by his 35 year pursuit of karate and his 15 year study of the principles of motivation. He has two personal mottos. These are:

"Excellence of Execution."

and

"Imagination is Infinite."

You can learn a great deal about all matters regarding motivation and self esteem at his website. You will find articles, interviews with achievers, motivational messages and other material. You can even opt to receive free material by visiting the "zenspiration" page.

The Motivation and Self Esteem for Success website was constructed by Linda Caroll who Gary has called the "Kyoshi of Website Design" (In karate terminology Kyoshi means "Polished Master"). Visit Gary's website to see for yourself.