Character Traits of a Go-To Consultant: Self-Motivation
Self-motivation can be challenging to harness. Some days you wake up firing on all cylinders, full of energy and enthusiasm. Other days, no matter how hard you try, every task seems like a mountain to climb. Sometimes we need a little encouragement to help us along the way. Other times we have to rely on ourselves.
The COVID-era life science consultant requires self-motivation as much as any other characteristic in order to be successful. The rise of remote work and isolated environments has limited the typical office stimuli that fuel workers throughout the day. Now more than ever, consultants must be reliant on themselves to maintain mental energy and focus throughout each day and week.
Simply put, self-motivation is an innate force that drives us to do things without prompting or supervision. It helps us to take initiative, be proactive, turns goals into results, and move forward. It is the lifeblood of business progress.
So how do you summon that elusive self-motivation? Here are five methods to get you in the zone:
- Envision Accomplishment
Have you ever achieved a goal and felt awesome afterward? Think about how good you’ll feel when a certain task is completed or goal has been attained. The feeling of accomplishment at the end of a day builds momentum over the course of weeks and helps us build positive mental health. On the other hand, procrastination can make us feel anxious and overwhelmed. Think of how good you’ll feel if you put some solid time into that task you’ve been putting off.
- Break it Down
A large project or initiative can be daunting when you don’t know where to begin. Start with the high-level goal, then progressively break it down into more manageable buckets of work. Rather than focusing on the overwhelming nature of the project, take one thing at a time, and focus on completing or delegating tasks one at a time.
- Cut out Fear and Excuses
Monitor your thoughts. Correct yourself anytime fears or excuses creep in. Assess the risks but don’t become paralyzed by fear. Be okay with the possibility of failing and losing face. If the outcome is not perfect, at least you took a step and that’s one step closer to achieving your goals.You can be your own worst enemy if you let your subconscious mind take hold. Be honest with yourself, and focus on reinforcing positive outcomes in your own mind.
- Block the Right Time
When are you most productive and energetic? When are you most likely to have enough mental energy to complete a specific type of task? Blocking your calendar strategically for certain activities can enhance the probability of your completing it, and ensure minimal distractions from colleagues.
- Reward Yourself
Plan rewards into your week based on your ability to complete tasks. Regularly reward yourself and celebrate your successes. If you grind out those critical deliverables Monday through Thursday, you can look forward to a pleasant end to your week.
We can all achieve more of our potential if we focus on our micro-behaviors and put ourselves in the best position to be successful. How will you self-motivate today? Tell us about it in the comments below. Contact our team today to learn more about Enterey’s approach to life science management solutions. Experience for yourself the difference our go-to life science consultants and project managers can make.