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Keeping Motivated
“WIFT (What’s in it for them?)”

If you want total buy-in to an inspirational dream from those who work for you, then you will have to learn to sell the benefits of that dream. In other words the dream or vision means nothing if it doesn’t mean something to each individual personally. “What am I going to get out of this?” is what is going through their minds. To sell an idea inspirationally you need to make enquiries before they even ask the question. To get inspiration for this you need to find out what their personal dreams are; holidays for the family? a new home? a better car? job security? day-care for working mothers? social network? Seek information and take the guesswork out of this equation and then constantly link the benefits to the vision. Announcing that you would like to double your turnover is not inspiring, but marshalling the enthusiasm of your employees to help you achieve this because they are working to achieve their dreams is. That way you are already halfway to achieving your goal.

In the same way you need buy-in from your family for your personal dreams. What is the benefit for your partner or children or parents in helping you to achieve this dream? Why should they? How will it improve their lives? It is not selfish of others to deny you your dreams, if it restricts theirs; it is simply human nature. If you help others feel good they will help you. So sell the long-term benefits. If you want three nights a week free to pursue a personal ambition, how will you help your partner achieve something he has been wanting to do that will impinge on your family life? If you want time off from work to pursue a personal dream, what benefits will to sell to your boss to achieve their buy-in? Remember others do not necessarily “buy” your dream; they “buy” the good feelings that will come from achieving something positive on their wish-list by helping you achieve your vision. Paint others into your picture and you suddenly have a “dream team”.

My tip of the month:

Be inspirational by helping others achieve what they are aspiring to and they will help you achieve your dream.

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Judy can be contacted by email on judy.churchill@orange.fr or via her website www.Judychurchill.com