I have a confession to make: On occasion, I have felt a little demotivated. Yes, Motivationdoc, like everybody else, feels a bit lacking in motivation from time to time.

In previous DocMentations, we discussed developing our Brain and Body Energy to build self-motivation, so here are some more suggestions.

But firstly, I want to share something that happened to me this week.

I submitted the first 15-minute narration of the book – Running the Race: Eric Liddell – Olympic Champion and Missionary.

The publisher requires this as a checkpoint.

The reply came back – ‘Thanks, Alan. Received and approved. Sounds great.’

Those last two words make all the difference in terms of my self-motivation.

Have you heard the saying – “You get more of what you reward.”

Those two words sent me back to work on the narration, determined to do even better.

Can I offer another suggestion:

Spend time with positive people.

Once a month, I go on a day out with seven of my friends. We usually have a few beers and something to eat.

They are always interested in what I’m doing, very supportive, and really make me laugh!

When I leave them, I feel much better and more motivated than before we met.

I like to think that I do the same for them, and that’s the secret to receiving support and motivation from others; you need to hand out some “Warm Glows.”

You don’t need to tell any lies or be flattering or patronising. Just make positive comments.

A few years ago, at a neighbourhood barbecue, one of my neighbours said, ‘Alan, you are fairly losing your hair!’ Now, being a man and a little bit sensitive about these things, that didn’t go down well with me.

I wondered how she would have felt if I had said what was on my mind: ‘My goodness, Susan, you are fairly putting on the weight!’

I don’t think that would have gone down too well with her.

Look for something positive to say to other people. Often, we have things in our minds but don’t verbalise them. If you think Anne is wearing new glasses and you like them, say so.

If you think Bob is looking fit – say so.

If a friend feels better and more motivated after spending time in your company, they’re much more likely to return these feelings to you, and pass them on to others.

So, go ahead and make some positive and motivational comments to the other people in your life. You’ll have more fun, more friends, better relationships, and a healthier, happier, and longer life.

Remember – “Hand out warm glows, not dampeners.”

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