Day 519. Yesterday, among the many messages on my twitter flow was this one from Robin Sharma. How many times do we doubt and drop the ball, following the path of least resistance? We all have experienced the feeling of the little voice inside our head saying, « don’t do it, it’ll fail » or « don’t do it, you’ll look like a fool ». This quote and image reminds us that we need to slap down the little voice and jump.

Yes it may fail, yes, we may look like a fool, but we would have tried. How many times did you regret not having done something you would have loved to do but did not for whatever lie you told yourself. Of course we always need to balance things in life, but burying our dreams and our bold ideas is the best way to put aside what makes the beauty of life and what makes the best way to learn. Here are 5 examples of things you may have doubt on but should dare to do.

• Going to see your boss to discuss your next promotion. Nobody’s entitled to a promotion even when you have worked hard. However, going to talk to your boss on what he/she thinks you need to do to be on the next promotion list is the smartest way to learn and to know what to do. Dare! He/she’s a human being like you.
• Skydiving. Man, this is scary, jumping from an airplane at 12 or 15,000 feet with just a parachute. You’re scared because it may kill you. There’s actually more risk to be killed by crossing a busy street than by skydiving. Dare! Book your seat to the nearest club and do it. The feeling is just awesome.
• Giving your point of view. Because you are not outspoken or slightly introvert, you may not be comfortable challenging the ideas shared during a meeting. Furthermore, you’ve never done it so you do not want to look like a fool. Dare! You will surprise for sure, but you will contribute and there’s a good chance you’ll be heard.
• Stepping forward for a stretch assignment. You are busy, you do not have time for more. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn how to handle more differently. Yes, it may make you uncomfortable, but the only way to increase our comfort zone is by stepping out of it to redefine its borders. Dare!
• Going to a far place you’ve never been too, and preferably where you do not speak the language. Ever been stuck in a country where nobody speaks your language. It’s never a horrible experience because most people are nice with strangers and you will experience kindness from people who owe you nothing. Scary, but much less than you imagine. Dare!

I can go on and on like this. It requires courage, but more than this, it just requires to change your point of view. Horrible outcomes are first to come to mind and this is why we tend not to dare, but imagination can be changed to positive outcome. Like workout, it’s a matter of training. Teach your brain to imagine a positive future and its likely to happen.

Day 518. The two most powerful words of the English language are Thank you. We are all taught to say thank you as a kid. Up to a point that is becomes something normal that end having no meaning anymore, it’s just a way to be « polite ». However, when said outside of any form of reply, it takes an all other dimension. Here are 10 simple phrases that you can use to express your gratitude to anybody:

• I wanted to thank you for your help during the meeting with the customer. This was really valuable.
• Thanks for your time and effort on answering this urgency.
• I really appreciated your contribution during our last discussion.
• I am really grateful to have you as a friend.
• Thank you for being with me when I needed you the most.
• Your words meant so much to me. Thank you very much.
• Your action and dedication made a real difference.
• I owe you a lot for what you have done.
• You blew everybody’s mind by your thoughtfulness.
• We are all thankful for your involvement in this meeting.

It’s so simple that we forget how powerful it is. And if you lack imagination or are just short of words, remember the two most powerful words remain Thank you!

Day 517. Monday, for a lot of people, is the most horrible day of the week. Of course, when you don’t love your work it can be, but if you love what you do, it’s just another day. The truth is sometimes we just do not feel the motivation to start the day. So whatever day you are on when you do feel motivated, here are 7 simple tricks to get motivation kicking.

1. Listen to music. The music you like, the tune that will make you smile. Whatever it is, put your earplugs and pump up the volume. You will get a nice shot of dopamine.
2. Go for a run. If you do not run, do your preferred « sweating » activity. It will free some endorphins, the neuro transmitter that gets released after an orgasm. Worth some drops of sweat.
3. Have breakfast with your loved ones. This will increase the production of oxytocin, the love hormone. Nothing comes close to spending quality time with people you truly love.
4. Listen to a motivational speech. This may sound artificial, but listening to a truly good motivational speaker will switch your mood almost instantly.
5. Meditate for fifteen minutes. Meditation may not be your cup-of-tea, but give it a real try. Find a nice place, put on some relaxation music, breath and let the flow begins. Always a nice surprise for stressed people.
6. Show gratitude. When you arrive to your office, say thank you to three people for something they did for you in the last ten days. You’ll be amazed by the power of these little two words.
7. Smile. If you cannot make it, fake it! A smile is proven to have an effect on our own mood. After smiling for a while, you will feel this smile sink into you.

Motivation is a strange animal. Sometimes it’s there, sometimes not. One or many of the above tips will trick your body in a positive way and will help you getting the motivation back. And do not forget to treat you once you’ve made something valuable you planned.