If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Nowhere is it written that a small business can’t accomplish huge goals. If your mind is set on accomplishing something, you’ll be able to achieve it. With a team of motivated assistants, you’ll be able to take on the world. But motivating people can be difficult. Here are some tips for keep your assistants motivated.

Goal setting is a powerful way to keep motivated. When your assistant has written goals they have a clear understanding of what needs to be accomplished. Goals are also measurable; they are either accomplished or they aren’t. This allows your assistant to know if they are doing a good job or if they need to work harder.

Taking a few moments at the beginning of each month or each week to define goals with your assistant will keep both of you on track. Your assistant will know what is expected of him or her. This will make it easier for them to complete their assignments.

A positive environment will also help with your assistants’ motivation. Even if you live on opposite sides of the world, you can still create a positive working environment.

Perhaps you can all meet for a weekly meeting on a teleconference line or in a web conference room. Help everyone feel like a team by encouraging them to interact with one another. Let them know that they can always ask each other for help or advice if you are not available.

Giving your assistants new challenges will also help keep them motivated. Perhaps they can help you plan a new product or event.

Plenty of stimulation is also important for staying motivated. If someone works on the same task for too long, it can lead to boredom and a reduction in the quality of work. Giving them a new assignment or even having two or three assistants working on something as a team can make a big difference.

Contests are another great way to motivate people. You could define a team goal and if the team reaches it, they all receive a price. Or create individual goals to create a sense of competition.

Naturally, everyone is unique and each person is motivated by different things. What works for one assistant may not for another, so it’s important to keep the lines of communication open and to pay attention to the things that motivate each one.