Dear Friends,
To most of us, motivation means getting revved up when we're bored, bouncing back when we're rejected, or getting psyched up for an important sales call. Motivation means “life” to Morris Goodman. He mastered the art of positive thinking to become a "Top of the Table" member as an estate planner and insurance salesman. Then on March 10, 1981, his motivational goals went from sales to survival when his private plane crashed, leaving him near death. Today, Goodman is the author of The Miracle Man (Prentice-Hall, 1984) and a highly sought-after speaker who travels the world sharing his story with millions of people and teaching his philosophy on goal setting and personal growth and development. He has rebuilt his body - a fact that astounds the medical community - and wants to help others.
Whether you're dealing with a physical tragedy like his, or a sales problem, the following five motivational principles will get you over the rough spots and keep you moving toward a successful future.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. It often opens new doors and offers new opportunities.
1. POSITIVE THOUGHTS BREED POSITIVE ACTION
"Many times my doctors told me that I was being unrealistic to expect full recovery," recalls Goodman. "In fact, they said that maybe I'd eventually be able to sit in a wheelchair - unable to breathe or eat without the aid of machines." But Goodman refused to be SNIOP'd (Susceptible to the Negative Influence of Other People). Instead, he constantly visualized himself as fully recovered. He communicated to everyone that he'd soon be back to his old self again.
Goodman's positive outlook generated the energy to work on and accomplish his goals. If he'd listened to the negative expectations of others, he might still be severely disabled.
Goodman's positive outlook generated the energy to work on and accomplish his goals. If he'd listened to the negative expectations of others, he might still be severely disabled.
2. BE THE FIRST
"My diaphragm was crushed in the accident so everyone said I'd never breathe on my own, no one could breathe without a diaphragm," Goodman explains. "But I kept remembering how no one was supposed to be able to run a mile in less than four minutes until Roger Bannister did it in 1954. Since then, lots of people have done it." Goodman practiced breathing in and out with his respirator until one day he started to breathe on his own. His stomach muscles took over the job of his irreparable diaphragm.
Morris was the first, and he hopes that others will follow. Just because something has never been done doesn't mean that it can't be done.
3. PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF
"Relearning how to walk was an incredibly painful process," says Goodman, as he remembers his atrophied muscles, sense of imbalance, and feelings of defeat. "If I'd quit anywhere along the line, I'd still be in a bed, a wheelchair, or I'd need a walker or crutches. Because I promised myself I'd walk again, I kept at it and it was worth it." Surrounded by signs like "No Pain, No Gain," Goodman never lost sight of his goal to walk on his own.
Falls, pain, and frustration are now memories of the difficult path Goodman took. But his persistence paid off, today he walks around just as you and I do.
4. TAKE ONE GOAL AT A TIME
"Unless you have a plan, a goal to strive for, you end up going around in circles and you get nothing done," notes Goodman, who was deluged with major objectives like breathing, eating, speaking, and walking. "If I'd tried to accomplish everything at once, I'd still be working on most of my goals." Rather than tackle all of his problems, Goodman selected one at a time and committed himself to each one until it was achieved. As he reached each goal, his confidence soared, helping him throughout the next one. By breaking large, long term goals into smaller, short term tasks, you gain momentum and confidence, which motivates you to continue on toward your ultimate goal.
5. WHAT YOU GIVE OUT, YOU GET BACK
"The best motivation is not necessarily self directed," Goodman says. "Often, helping other people feel good or motivating them to meet their goals gives a super boost to your own morale." During his stays in hospitals and rehabilitation centres, Goodman shared his hope and his faith in people with the medical staff and fellow patients. Many of them say that he changed their outlook on life and he expanded their belief in what is "possible." Their positive feedback gives him the motivation to keep going.
Whether it's your life or your career that's on the line,
Motivation can work miracles.
