P.M.A! REACH YOUR CAREER GOALS WITH CiC’s MOTIVATIONAL FACTSHEET

Perhaps a holiday is just around the corner, or perhaps a summer holiday has just finished and you are faced with the poor weather back home. This month, one of the UK’s leading Employee Assistance Programme Providers, CiC (www.cic-eap.co.uk), is addressing the issue of motivation through their factsheet – ‘Making It Happen’- offering tips and advice on how to keep that PMA (Positive Mental Attitude).

For many, a lack of motivation comes from not having a clear idea of what we are actually trying to achieve. As such, CiC has put together a motivation checklist to help individuals reach for the skies and fulfil their goals:

1. Identify your dreams ands goals. Not having a clear idea of what you really want out of your career means it is going to be very difficult to stay motivated. Work out the difference between dreams and fantasies. The pay rise you have been promised or the promotion that has been hinted at are all dreams. It is easy to lose touch with our dreams through the pressures of modern day life, but making these dreams concrete is the first step towards feeling motivated again

2. Set realistic goals. We often sabotage the things we really want to do by taking on too much. It is almost always more productive to take things slowly. If there is extra work to be down for a promotion, or new role, break down these goals into bite-size objectives, that way you can work through them methodically and there is more chance of getting things done. It is important to take small steps in the beginning. Trying to run before you can walk does not always work. Trying something new involves a change in the way that we perceive ourselves, but change can be difficult and threatening so rushing this may only lead to giving up before we have got to where we want to be

3. Manage your time. Your work day can quickly seem overwhelming if you are wasting time with unnecessary tasks. Instead of checking your email every five minutes, check them every half an hour instead so that you can use your time more productively

4. Identify barriers. If you feel that you are afraid of change, talk to someone who you think will understand. Work colleagues, friends or advice lines are great support mechanisms

5. Look for the rewards. Find a way of creating incentives or asking for incentives to keep you going. If you’ve got to make some sacrifices, have a think about the benefits that you will reap from doing so. If you want to work outdoors, find somewhere beautiful to do it. In time, as you continue to internalise your new activity and behaviour, it will become more familiar and you will gradually be able to phase out the external incentives that you needed in the beginning.

6. Find like-minded people. It will always be easier to stay motivated if you are among people with similar goals. You can join groups or clubs or internet networking sites. The fastest way to lose motivation is to allow yourself to get lonely. Listening to others and observing their success has a huge impact on our own ability to stay motivated. Start reading your industry magazine to gain inspiration about leaders in your field.

Staying motivated is key to feeling happy and fulfilled in life. As the saying goes: ‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.’ (1)


For further information contact Beccy Whittles, Max PR:
020 8334 5749 / beccy@maxpr-events.com

Visuals available

Kate Nowlan available for interview

(1) Quote from Brian Littrell