Category Archives: Motivation

I Won’t Know Until I Try

Engagement, Motivation, participation

“I won’t know until I try. If you don’t try, you’ll never fail,” – Gene Haas, part owner of the Stewart-Haas NASCAR race team.

I love the Haas’ spirit and defiance in his response to the reporter’s questioning of Haas’ sanity about entering a team based in the United States into Formula 1. Not until you realize that he already is funding Kurt Busch’s NASCAR Sprint Cup team, upgraded SHR racing headquarters to accommodate Kurt Busch, and is considering bankrolling Kurt Busch’s Indy 500 effort all out of his pocket does the audaciousness of the statement become apparent

I think he likes Kurt Busch?

For us mere mortals, the key lesson on display is never refuse an opportunity to get into a game as you never know how long the opportunity will be available. Sure, It is risky leaving your comfort zone, but isn’t it better leaving on your own volition instead of being tossed into the deep end unprepared?

Who knows, the new adventure might be fun!

Remember, you can’t lose if you sit on the sideline and play it safe. But you can’t win either.

Motivation

Motivation, resolutions

Why is It is easy to motivate your staff or you but difficult to maintain motivation over the long term?

Think about the annual ritual of making New Year’s resolutions. I bet if you reviewed membership lists of any health club, you would find a huge uptick in new memberships in January. By the time April passes, 75% of those accounts are effectively dormant.

Now reflect on the last major initiative your company launched. It was probably a grand affair with senior management and other key managers making speeches. You probably received numerous swag items such as coffee mugs, t-Shirts, and or baseball caps along with a catered lunch. Much was expected and in the first 3 to 4 months you see a dizzying array of edicts, process revisions, and other organizational changes.

What usually happens in six months?

I bet those coffee mugs make great penholders.

I always felt that implementing small, easily attainable goals to the office culture or your personal life are the way to maintain momentum. Many small accomplishments are great building blocks to larger goals, both personal and professional.

Many molehills can make an awesome mountain!