There is More to Motivation Than Meets the Coffee


The stress of unemployment can really take a toll on ones confidence and state of mind. For some individuals, it could lead to depression, for others ? a mere lack of motivation and feeling of hopelessness. Employment is one of the main structures that helps individuals in our society to feel positive, develop financial independence, as well as establish hope for the future.

Even for those with jobs, motivation is a hard state to attain and maintain. Businesses are losing thousands of hours' worth of productivity each year - with staff being distracted from their jobs by everything from 'cyber-surfing to taking 5 coffee breaks a day (which by the way may leave you broke considering the raise in recent coffee prices).

In a recent survey conducted by silicon.com, results found that "While cyber-loafing was identified by 23 per cent of respondents as the main obstacle to a productive workforce, 'low staff morale and lack of motivation' was identified by 32 per cent of respondents."

So, besides the short-term benefits of early morning coffee consumption, what are some alternatives to getting motivated for work?

Stimulate your mind and your mouth

It has been proven time and time again that having breakfast in the morning gives you a nutritional boost both physically and mentally. But what about emotionally ? can breakfast alone be enough to get you motivated for your day? Getting your day off on the right start doesn't mean walking into your office on a full stomach. It means walking in on a full stomach and a full set of ideas.

Participating in mental activities like doing a crossword puzzle or meditating can really sharpen your mind within a short period of time. If neither exercises appeal to you, then pick up the newspaper or read a book that is relevant to your line of work. By doing so, you may be able to get fresh new ideas for your business, or learn more about new industry trends.

You've got mail! Get your daily dose of wisdom

My favorite time of the day is when I get inspirational quotes in my inbox. You can subscribe to a few inspirational newsletters by browsing the Web. My personal favorite is the John Baines Forum (www.ihpny.org). The minute I finish reading them, I instantly feel a powerful connection between my mind and spirit ? the 2 most essential ingredients for outer productivity and inner happiness.

Get outside the (office) box

Ever heard of the phrase "Being so close to the forest that you can't see the trees"? Well, a lot of times people experience this in their work environments ? and rightfully so! Your environment determines your level of productivity and it is not always easy to see the trees (ideas) when you are always in the forest (office). Some times the best remedy is getting outside the box - I mean, office. If you have a meeting in your office with a client, see if you can rearrange it to your favorite neighborhood café instead. Not only does this provide a more relaxed setting for both individuals, but also allows you to connect more on a human level.

If you are feeling overwhelmed with your time and energy, turn off you computer, take a walk outside, and breathe deeply. If this doesn't help, see if there are any seminars or roundtables you can attend that week on time management and fatigue.

Start your week with a weekly report

Whether you have a job or not, the most important thing to do before your "work week" starts is writing down all the goals you have for that week. Make sure to put a specific timeline on completing your goals. That way, you will be accountable to yourself if you miss your deadline. Set aside punishments and rewards to keep yourself in check.

I personally like to print my weekly report and tape it to my desk so it is always in front of me. Always have a highlighter right next to you so that when you finish, you mark off what you have completed. If you are computer savvy, you may use programs like ACT or Outlook.

In sum, true motivation lies within your heart. If you cannot find it there, it may be because you lack the resources, techniques, and appropriate environment that is conducive to your personal productivity. If these resources are aligned properly, not only will you be able to reach your highest levels of motivation, you may be able to reduce your monthly spending habits at your local Starbucks!

Dali Singh is the Managing Director for Blueliner Marketing (www.bluelinermarketing.com), a full-service marketing and communications firm. Dali is also a member of the Institute for Hermetic Philosophy, a spiritual school that provides tools to assist people in developing themselves on a personal and practical level. Visit www.ihpny.org or sign up for weekly inspirational quotes at http://www.ihpny.org/template.asp?page=mailing.







Related News



Brazil to Offer Coffee Subsidies of Up to 300 Million Reais - Bloomberg

Brazil to Offer Coffee Subsidies of Up to 300 Million Reais
Bloomberg -21 hours ago
4 (Bloomberg) -- Brazil, the world's biggest coffee producer, will probably spend 300 million reais ($175 million) to support prices for growers this year. ...

Care for a coffee? - Telegraph.co.uk

Care for a coffee?
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom -18 hours ago
In the coffee wars, statistics are the first casualty. Are there solid grounds to think coffee shops are being deserted in favour of domestic ...

"The Various Flavors of Coffee": Coffee serves as eye-opener in ... - Seattle Times

"The Various Flavors of Coffee": Coffee serves as eye-opener in ...
Seattle Times, United States -9 hours ago
Anthony Capella's new novel "The Various Flavors of Coffee" is set in London and Africa of the 1890s, when the international coffee trade was a gateway to ...

Open Coffee - Nature.com (subscription)

Open Coffee
Nature.com (subscription), UK -7 hours ago
Bob et al. showing the way to Open Coffee research at the Library, Royal Institution, London. How far I will be able to take it will depend on the ...

Colombian soldiers forced 'drug smuggling' Tory to eat coffee whitener - guardian.co.uk

Times Online

Colombian soldiers forced 'drug smuggling' Tory to eat coffee whitener
guardian.co.uk, UK -2 hours ago
A Tory MP today revealed that he was forced to eat coffee whitener by Colombian soldiers who suspected him of drug smuggling. Michael Fabricant, the MP for ...
MP's gunpoint Coffee Mate ordealBBC News
Coffee-loving MP Michael Fabricant mistaken for cocaine traffickerTimes Online
Tory MP Michael Fabricant forced to eat coffee whitener at gunpointTelegraph.co.uk
Reuters UK - Daily Mail
all 35 news articles

Coffee Break: Governor to speak at Tenn. Air National Guard base ... - Memphis Commercial Appeal

Coffee Break: Governor to speak at Tenn. Air National Guard base ...
Memphis Commercial Appeal, TN -12 hours ago
Gov. Phil Bredesen will be keynote speaker for dedication of a $245 million Tennessee Air National Guard base, the largest Air National Guard project in ...

Coffee prices rise even as dollar advances - Forbes

Coffee prices rise even as dollar advances
Forbes, NY -21 hours ago
AP 09.04.08, 3:36 PM ET Coffee futures rose Thursday, despite the dollar's continued rebound against currencies such as the euro and the British pound. ...
Coffee prices fall as dollar reboundsForbes
all 4 news articles

Community Coffee's Louisiana Plant Still Shut, Awaiting Pwr - CNNMoney.com

BBC News

Community Coffee's Louisiana Plant Still Shut, Awaiting Pwr
CNNMoney.com -16 hours ago
Community Coffee Company's roasting plant in Port Allen, Louisiana , remains without power after Hurricane Gustav struck the state Monday, the Baton Rouge ...
Video: Gustav Evacuees Make DoCBS
Our Views: A hard hit in Louisiana2TheAdvocate
all 1,454 news articles

Morning Coffee: Ball State's season begins tonight - ESPN

Morning Coffee: Ball State's season begins tonight
ESPN -1 hour ago
Ball State will host Navy Friday night in what Greg Fallon of the Muncie Star Press is calling the opening of the Cardinals' season. ...

New coffee shop robbed - Lee's Summit Journal

New coffee shop robbed
Lee's Summit Journal, MO -5 hours ago
By Brett Dalton, The Journal Staff Sisters Jesi DeMeire and Erin Parks work to prepare tasty beverages at their new coffee shop, the Lee’s Summit Coffee Co. ...
Coffee shop burglarized hours before grand openingJefferson City News Tribune
all 2 news articles