Self-Motivation for Trainers

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SELF-MOTIVATION FOR TRAINERS: Lack of self-motivation is an unfortunate side effect of our accelerated times. Many people today are cynical and disillusioned or feel that to appear sophisticated, they must become so. They find it difficult to muster a feeling of energetic conviction toward any subject. In training, however, it is crucial to success to possess self-motivation when making presentations. Knowing this, however does not do much for the trainer who lacks inner direction. Achieving a full understanding of the anatomy of self-motivation and mastering ways of obtaining it can lead to vast improvement in training presentations.

THE "MOTIVATION LOOP: There are specific devices which you can apply when you find that yourself lacking in motivation. They may seem artificial, and in a sense, they are, being based on the premise that contrived personal actions can actually alter genuine feelings. Take, for example, this premise: "In order to be a good trainer one must look and act like a good trainer." Some people might feel that this premise is deceitful. Yet you cannot become a good trainer until you begin to act like one. It is time that what you appear to be cannot define who you are. The fundamental premise of self-motivation is that personal actions trigger personal feelings, just as personal feelings trigger personal actions. When these feelings are lacking, there is no better way to get them than to begin acting as if they were present. The best way not to be nervous is to act as if you are not nervous. The best way to succeed is to behave like a successful person. And the best way to be a self-confident, self-motivated trainer is to behave like one. This is the whole essence of positive thinking and the rationale behind what is called the "motivation loop".

THE SELF-MOTIVATION MONOLOGUE: This amounts to nothing more than giving yourself a "talking to". This may seem foolish at first, but it is amazing how well it works. You can increase your own confidence and motivation simply by speaking to yourself as you would to another person. Technically, this is known as rationalization. People use it every day to convince themselves that they can afford this or that item, that "one more for the road" is all right, or "I'll start dieting tomorrow". Rationalization is known to work in these cases and can be put to positive use here.

IMITATION--A SOURCE OF SELF-MOTIVATION: Theodore Roosevelt is said to have kept a picture of Abraham Lincoln ever handy. When he was faced with a decision or dilemma, he asked himself what Lincoln would have done in a similar instance and simply imitated him. You can paint a mental picture of the ideal trainer and imitate her or him.

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CEO, A.E. Schwartz & Associates, Boston, MA., a comprehensive organization which offers over 40 skills based management training programs. Mr. Schwartz conducts over 150 programs annually for clients in industry, research, technology, government, Fortune 100/500 companies, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. He is often found at conferences as a key note presenter and/or facilitator. His style is fast-paced, participatory, practical, and humorous. He has authored over 65 books and products, and taught/lectured at over a dozen colleges and universities throughout the United States.