What's on YOUR wall?

Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - posted by hellomynameisscott at

If you're self-employed like me, wall motivation decorations can do you some good.

To keep yourself on point.
To keep yourself motivated.
To keep yourself accountable.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been obsessed with wall decorations. From my house growing up to my college apartments to my present office, “no white space” has always been my motto. (I learned everything from my big brother Steve.)

I even lost my deposit once because the landlord complained that when I moved out I left behind “hundreds of holes.”

Woops.

But from a self-motivational standpoint, covering your office walls with personalized, vibrant and positive decorations can actually help you become more successful. Here are a few suggestions:

Visualizations. “Act as if you already are the person you want to become and you will eventually become the person you want to become,” said my mentor.

So, think about your long-term goals and dreams. Maybe it’s to own a beach house. Or to achieve a senior-level position. Or to secure an appearance on Oprah. Or to be featured on the cover of a magazine. (This is my Vision Board pictured to the left. Thank you, The Secret.)

Whatever your goal is, you MUST actually, physically, literally, create an image of having already achieved it. Hell, sneak into the CEO’s office and take a picture of yourself sitting in her chair if you have to!

I don’t care. Just do it. I know it sounds ridiculous. But trust me. When your goal comes to fruition, people won’t be laughing - they’ll be applauding.

Quotations. These are the perfect tools (er, words) to keep you motivated.

Go see my friends at Quote Garden for some great material.

Then grab a few of those giant sticky notes and post several of your favorite one-liners around your office.

The key is to choose quotations that:

*make you think
*make you smile
*make you laugh

...every time you see them.

Choose wisely.




Questions. First, think about the most important questions you need to be asking yourself regularly.

Then make posters, dry erase boards or signs and hang them high.

Be sure they can be seen from across your office.

This example is the #1 most important question I ask daily.

Because writing is the basis of all wealth.

Here's another one of my favorites.

Other suggestions are, “How many calls did you make today?” and “Is what you’re doing right now consistent with your #1 goal?”


Personal Mission Statement. The one (and only) thing I took away from The Seven Habits was the section about creating a personal mission statement.

Years later, I still keep my PMS posted to the left of my door. That way I see it every time I leave. I suggest you do the same.

Since you probably can't read my writing, I'll just tell you:

Do something cool...

Validate your existence...

And be yourself...

EVERY DAY.



Goals. Take a few of your biggest, most important goals. Post them nice and big - right in front of your face!

Make sure they’re inescapable from your eyesight so you HAVE to look at them at least three times a day.

Odds of you accomplishing your goals will triple. Promise.

And I'm sure you don't need to hear me preach about goals, but here are a few tips:

*Make them specific
*Make them achievable
*Give them a time frame
*Share them with other people
*Cross them off when accomplished


Accomplishments. Every time an article of mine appears in a print publication, I hang a copy on my wall.

Not because I’m an egomaniac, but because surrounding myself with visual reminders of small victories builds confidence.

CHALLENGE: think back to your three best accomplishments from the past year. Find some way to represent them visually, and stick ‘em up there!


Look, guys. I know it seems like a lot of stuff to hang on your wall. But why not? It’s just empty space. You may as well cover it with something productive.

OH, AND HERE’S THE BEST PART: next time a customer or coworker comes into your office, they’re gonna stop and look around.

And they will be amazed.

Because you’ve visually PROVED to them that you’re dedicated to success.

LET ME ASK YA THIS...
What's on YOUR wall?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS...
Share your favorite motivation decorations here!

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
Author/Speaker/That Guy with the Nametag
www.hellomynameisscott.com

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6 Comments:

At 5:40 PM, Blogger Angie Weid said...

Could not agree more!!

My office walls have published articles about me, certificates of achievement, quotes, "feel good" cards/letters, business goals.

The latest item I added this week.
When will I make $1M in retirement savings? 20 years, 1 month. I know my minimum I must put away every month. Put away more, I am chillin' that much sooner.

Great post!!

 
At 8:23 PM, Blogger Weston Lyon said...

Love this post Scott!

My favorite quote on my wall is "Don't Ever Give Up!".

It's actually a sign that has the quote next to a picture of a stork trying to eat a frog...the frog is in the stork's mouth but has its hands around the stork's throat.

Weston

 
At 8:33 PM, Blogger Lisa Braithwaite said...

I have hardly any wall space, as I don't really have an "office" but more of a "slot" for a desk. I do have a print of a favorite painting that makes me feel happy and relaxed, and a goofy hanging of a crazy dog saying "smile!" that a friend gave me.

To the side, stuck to the printer (no wall space, I tell ya) is a sticky that has SHARP on it for Stories, Humor, Analogies, References, and Pictures (Bert Decker).

And stuck to another folder, a sticky with my top five affirmations that I say every day.

Here's some advice I should have followed a long time ago: "Is everything you know written down somewhere?" If I had been thinking this way a few years ago, I would have taken with me copies of brilliant work I did for other people and now want to replicate for my clients. Urgh.

 
At 8:23 PM, Anonymous Monica Ricci said...

I have a number of motivating, inspirational quotes printed out and taped up at the top of my desk hutch.

I also have a vision board in my bathroom because the board belongs to both my husband and me, so we wanted to put it somewhere we'd both see it at least twice a day.
~Monica

 
At 2:25 PM, Anonymous Barb said...

Scott,
I'm planning to use some of the pre-made quotes, and possibly some customized, from Uppercase Living: http://www.uppercaseliving.com/

 
At 8:05 AM, Blogger Matthew Cornell said...

I love the idea, and your full-blown adoption is an inspiration. That said, the critical question is How do you use them? Repeat them? But just repeating affirmations isn't enough, is it? As I understand it, you really need to make them personally meaningful for them to go deep.

Also:

How often do you look at them?

How do you keep them from fading into the background. Like stacks of paper, unchanging backgrounds get filtered out by our brains - it's a survival trait - no movement, no threat -> ignore.

 

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