Yes, You Can! 9 Ways to keep motivating yourself.

Results, sales, and profits are three words that often signifysuccess. These concepts are preceded by three other terms thatidentify future business possibilities: ideas,prospects and transactions. Many business experts seemotivation as the vital energy that links potential with subsequentaccomplishment. Joey Reiman, founder and CEO of BrightHouse, anideation firm in Atlanta, says, "You need two ingredients fora successful new business: passion and talent. Talent is yourticket in, but in the final moments, victory goes to thepassionate; the one who is charged up charges through."

It's easy to be motivated before you start your business,when your thoughts are focused on the eventual sales and profits.But when you actually get going, and success takes a little longerthan you imagined, it's possible for your enthusiasm to wane.Low motivation can result in less commitment to your business andwill diminish your chances of future success. Consider thefollowing suggestions to help keep your motivation consistently ontarget.

1. Choose to start a business doing something that youlove. The business that you are most likely to succeed in isthe one that you love. Freelance writer Marie Sherlock practicedlaw in Portland, Oregon, for 10 years. "When I was anattorney," she remembers, "I don't think any day wentby that I thought, `Oh good, I get to go to work.' " Whenher first son was born, Sherlock desired a more flexibleoccupation, yet still wanted to be a professional and earn anincome. With her law background serving as a testimonial to herexpertise, she began writing for homebased-business andpersonal-finance magazines seven years ago. "My greatestmotivation is that I love what I do. While I'm making lessmoney, I feel more committed to my work. I think I'm actuallyaccomplishing more, even though I now work part time rather thanfull time."