When it comes to motivation we all have heard, and probably said, true motivation must come from within for it to be lasting. And I agree, however, there have probably been times in our lives when we have thought to ourselves something like "I'm just not as good as I used to be..." or "Why aren't I as good as so and so..." or "Maybe this just isn't the business for me anymore...".

When you hit those tough times or 'emotional lows' it's hard to pretend your Stewart Smalley (SNL Reference) and get pumped by saying affirmations like "I'm good enough, smart enough and dog gone it people like me."

SO WHAT DO YOU REALLY DO? When I hit a speed bump, because that's all these really are right...a temporary bump in the road, I tend to think of the most valuable people in my life and use that focus as my driving force. In my life, my children are always a source of motivation. When I am bummed out or have a day where I just want to put off business so I can play I think to myself: "Do I have the ability to meet all the wants, needs and desires of my children?"

Now, I'm not saying that I'll by my 16 year old son an S600 Mercedes-Benz to match mine because I'm not working to create a spoiled brat with an entitlement mentality but I am saying that I don't ever want to have to say... "Sorry kids, we can't go have a family weekend because dad didn't invest that extra little bit of effort when he should of to make sure it was possible for us."

You may not have kids, maybe your motivator is that house, car, boat, Rolex or dream wedding that you have coming up.

I shared my motivator and maybe that will help you. We're all driven by different things though so my hope is that this discussion will share ideas that we can use when we need a 'pick me up' every now and again.

Whatever it is in your life, please join the discussion and share ideas on how you pick yourself up when it's hard to remember how amazing you are already. And yes...even when you forget that you're amazing there is ALWAYS someone else you still believes in you!

Helping the best get better,
Mat Koenig
AutotrainingTV