Online Degree in Psychology

Friday, July 31, 2009

Make Online Psychology Master Degree Work for You

by Christina Williams

Are you considering going for your psychology master’s degree online? In the US, masters degrees consist of the Master of Arts or M.A.; The Master of Science Degree or M.S. and the Master of Business Administration or M.B.A and other masters degree programs such as the Master of Social Work, M.S.W. or a Master Degree in Psychology, M.S.

If you decide to go into one of the popular career professional tracks (nursing, MBA/Business, computer science or of course psychology), make sure to roll up your sleeves and put the time into to investigate which schools’ degree programs online are praised and recommended by students, employers and other important parties.

But first, let’s give some history here. As technology becomes a greater part of our lives, it’s obvious why online degrees would be seen as a more valid option for advancing in one’s career.

When it comes to the right online psychology masters degrees, it’s vital to search for the right accredited educational institution. This means that you have diligently done your part to earn the coveted degree. Employers correlate this to the ability of the person to look at things in a more mature perspective that implies that they would be a great asset to the company. Low-standard are rampant everywhere, even in the internet. more likely to be frauds. They will bombard you with empty promises and give you a worthless piece of paper that they will call a “diploma” in exchange for you hard earned money.

Online learning schools that swear they will grant you a top not degree in a matter of a few weeks are probably the kind you would want to stay away from. They’ll hammer you with big promises and say they’ll grant you the sky but at the end of the day, it’ll probably be a waste of your time.

A school that is accredited has been assessed by experts in order to judge the strength and soundness of its educational standard. To gain accreditation, online schools must demonstrate as much quality and effectiveness at training students as campus, off line colleges and universities.

The certification that you will get from the hoax online education providers are worth nil as employers will not recognize them. You might even have legal impediments when you try using them when applying for jobs.Colleges and universities are kept on their toes in terms of the quality of the training they give you.

Make certain you opt to attend a school that is absolutely an officially recognized academic institution. As the formal board that decides if a school is accredited or not maintains a regular evaluation schedule of thousands of schools, you should feel comforted. When you finally go for your ideal online psychology master degree program, you’ll end up far ahead of the curve by having done your research.

About the Author:
Excel in Life. Discover online psychology degrees and online psychology master degree information now.

Master Degree in Psychology

So, what are you going to do with that psychology degree? With your college-educated insight into the human mind, you could do just about anything. Psychology is fundamental to nearly everything we do, and the degree is among the most versatile in the job market.

The qualities that make a good psychologist are also the qualities that make good business managers, health care workers, educators, or researchers. Psychology students need strong communications skills, compassion, research and analytical abilities, and last but not least, an understanding of what makes people tick. 
Five Careers for Psychology Majors

Most psychology graduates do not go on to careers as psychologists. Business and healthcare are the top employers of psychology majors, and the top three careers are manager, sales representative, and social worker. Here's a look at five different ways to put your psychology degree to work.

1. School Counselor

With the quality of education under increasing scrutiny, school counseling is more important than ever. And psychology graduates are in a position to do the job well. Psychology-educated school counselors have the background to troubleshoot student performance and help them develop effective learning strategies. In addition, they can guide students in the introspection necessary to answer that crucial question: "What do I want to be when I grow up?"

School counseling typically requires specialized training in addition to a bachelor's degree. State certification requirements range from a teaching certificate to a master's degree in the field. The good news: an online Master of Education in School Counseling can be completed in as little as a year.

School counseling promises to be the fastest-growing counseling specialty, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

2. Social Worker

Social workers draw on their interpersonal and organizational skills to guide clients through psychological, social, or financial problems. Psychology graduates have the training to work effectively in what can be an emotionally draining role. Their counseling background enables them to maintain an appropriate level of empathy and support without taking on their client's problems. 

A bachelor's degree in Psychology is sufficient qualification for many entry-level positions in social work, but most social workers go on to a two-year master's degree. An advanced degree is a requirement for supervisory, policy, and clinical positions. 

Social workers can look forward to plentiful job opportunities: the field is projected to grow 36% through 2014. <

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3. Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists help patients adapt to mental or physical challenges and achieve an independent lifestyle. The job takes practical ingenuity--occupational therapists develop tools to improve mobility, exercises to improve mental acuity, etc. But most of all, it takes psychological insight. Gadgets and strategies aren't worth much unless the therapist can inspire a patient to use them. That's where your psychology degree comes in.

As of 2007, board certification requirements include graduate-level training and an exam. Psychology majors will need to supplement their undergraduate training with a master's degree in Occupational Therapy.

Earning that additional degree should pay off: Occupational Therapy ranks among the Department of Labor's Fastest-Growing Careers.

4. Marketing Executive

Psychology graduates excel at Good Samaritan roles, but can they take on the business world? Yes, say employers of managers, sales representatives, business strategists, and marketers. A bachelor's in psychology is a valued qualification in all these careers. 

Marketing executives, for example, rely on their understanding of human behavior to communicate effectively. Marketing initiatives play to mass audiences, and they need to be carefully calibrated to drive specific responses. Psychology majors understand what motivates consumers, and are therefore able to develop effective promotions, merchandising strategies, and advertising campaigns.

Psychology undergraduates can proceed directly into a marketing career without additional training, but many will find professional education an asset. MBA programs and Marketing certificates are readily available online.

Consumer spending is alive and well, and so is the job market for marketing specialists; the BLS predicts faster than average growth through 2014.

5. Criminologist

Criminologists draw on their insight into the human psyche--plus their research skills--to catch criminals and improve law enforcement. Psychological profiling is a major asset in criminal investigations. Criminologists review patterns of behavior and present their research in reports. Some assume a more active role, inspecting crime scenes for evidence and questioning suspects.

Criminology is "exciting," "interesting," and "unpredictable," according to its practitioners, but it is also competitive. A psychology bachelor's degree is the standard qualification, but many boost their career profile with graduate work in behavioral sciences.
Criminal justice occupations are booming, but criminologists face a competitive market; demand is higher for those with investigative skills.

Understanding the human mind, it turns out, is a critical asset no matter where you turn. Psychology majors graduate to a world of career opportunities. What are you going to be when you grow up?

Source; Clare Kaufman

Forensic Psychology Degree

Forensic Psychologists apply psychological theory and principles in a number of legal areas, including child abuse, sexual abuse, criminal responsibility, and personal capacity to manage one's affairs and stand trial. They work in a variety of legal settings but are most often recognized for their involvement in the processing of a crime scene.

Forensic Psychology involves the application of psychology to legal issues through administering psychological tests, gathering hospital records, police reports, and witness statements. Forensic psychologists are expected to synthesize psychological analysis with legal relevance of cases involving child custody disputes, child abuse, competency, criminal responsibility, and advising judges on sentencing. Most forensic psychologists possess an advanced psychology degree at the Master or PhD level or a specialized Forensic Psychology M.A. degree. Obtaining a forensic psychology degree online has never been more readily available. The colleges listed below all offer forensic psychology degrees.

Careers in Forensic Psychology

FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY is the application of psychology to the criminal justice system. Many people confuse Forensic Psychology with forensic science. Although the two are closely related, there are many differences. The primary difference is that forensic psychologists delve into the vast psychological perspectives and apply them to criminal justice system. On the other hand, forensic psychologists frequently deal with legal issues, such as public policies, new laws, competency, and also whether a defendant was insane at the time a crime occurred. All of these issues weave together psychology and law topics and are essential to the discipline of Forensic Psychology. Forensic Psychology knowledge is used in various forms, such as in treating mentally ill offenders, consulting with attorneys (e.g., on picking a jury), analyzing a criminal's mind and intent, and practicing within the civil arena. 

Individuals interested in pursuing a Forensic Psychology career would have take psychology and criminal justice courses at the core of their academic studies. There is a very limited number of academic institutions that specifically offer a Forensic Psychology degree. Clinical, social, cognitive, criminal investigative, and developmental psychology also help to prepare one for this speciality. 

A forensic psychologist may chose to solely focus his/her career on research, ranging anywhere from examination of eyewitness testimony to learning how to improve interrogation methods. Another form of Forensic Psychology work is public policy, in which researchers can help in the design of correctional facilities and prisons. More generally, Forensic Psychology covers territory between the traditional options of criminal justice (i.e., academic training, law enforcement, and corrections).

Applying to Graduate School in Psychology

Have you ever been told that you would make a great psychologist? Perhaps you've heard this from friends, who rely on you for advice and wise counsel. Or maybe faculty, pointing to your analytical mind and interpersonal skill, have encouraged you. Maybe your own enthusiasm and ability in psychology classes has sparked your interest in following this career path.

No matter which factors influenced your decision, once you determine that you want to apply to graduate school in psychology, a number of additional considerations await you. Some of the issues you'll face include the following.

1. Which specialty area?
Psychology is a very rich and diverse field. As one illustration, consider the American Psychological Association (APA), which currently lists more than 50 "divisions," including behavioral neuroscience, developmental, industrial-organizational, and clinical psychology to mention just some of the better known specialties. Deciding which to select depends, in part, on what you want to do professionally. For instance, if you want to work with clients, you'll probably lean toward one of the license-eligible specialties such as clinical or counseling psychology. If you want to focus on research and teaching, then experimental psychology may be your preference. However, there are a variety of other factors you also might want to consider such as differences in competition for graduate school admission, the length of training, minimum requirements for professional practice, and future employment outlook. For instance, admissions for license-eligible specialties generally tend to be somewhat more competitive (with clinical psychology being among the most competitive), involve a longer duration of training (including a yearlong predoctoral internship experience), and require passing a licensing examination for independent practice. Due to shifting market forces, the employment outlook for different specialties can be difficult to forecast. However, at the present time, health psychology, neuropsychology, and pediatric psychology seem to be especially popular.
Given the many factors to consider, deciding on a specialty can involve a complex decision-making process. One place to start is by reviewing a couple of books on this topic. Some of the best are edited volumes containing chapters written by psychologists working in different areas (e.g., Sternberg, 1997). Armed with this overview, you might gradually begin to narrow the field. Discuss your thoughts with your advisor. If you know psychologists specializing in an area you are considering, make contact and arrange to spend some time talking with them or, if possible, taking their classes or working on their research teams. If your psychology department has graduate programs in the specialty, talk with graduate students about what the training is like and their hopes for the future. The time and effort spent not only will help your immediate decision-making process but also will make you a more informed consumer when you do apply.

2. Which program?
Having decided on a specialty area, your next task is to identify programs to which you might want to apply. One excellent source of information is the APA publication entitled Graduate Study in Psychology (2001), which contains a description of graduate programs nationwide. Most university libraries will have this guide among their holdings. Examination of this publication is a good first step to surveying the range of possibilities available. If you are able to relocate, consider programs from a wide range of geographic areas. To the extent that you are tied to a specific location, your options will be more limited.
After you identify the programs that pique your interest, have a look at their websites. For programs that you continue to find appealing, request additional program materials. Pay particular attention to the program description and listing of faculty interests. A key question centers on how well your background and interests match those of the program and current faculty. For instance, if you are interested in conducting research on schizophrenia and no one on the faculty works in that area, you probably would not be happy in that program. In sum, familiarize yourself sufficiently well with the program materials to determine if you and the program match. You'll probably want to eliminate those programs where the "fit" is not good. Gradually, the ones that represent a good match with your background and interests should rise to the top of your "apply" list. For each program on your final list, you should be able to articulate the reasons you believe you and the program match and to identify faculty with whom you would be particularly interested in working.

3. Who should write letters of recommendation?
An important part of the application process is identifying individuals who will be asked to write reference letters in support of your application. You should make this decision with great care. Ensure that you select letter writers who are able to comment very specifically on your abilities to pursue graduate study.
If your only experience with a faculty member was in the context of a class in which 80 other students were enrolled, it is unlikely that person will be able to say much about you that would be helpful to a graduate selection committee, even if you did come to class regularly and get an A on all your exams. A much better choice would be the faculty person you assisted on a research project or the psychologist who closely supervised you on a practicum.

4. What is a "personal statement"?
In the applications for most programs, you will be asked to write a paragraph or two about yourself. The personal statement is an opportunity to provide a sample of your best writing and gives you the chance to describe how your academic background and professional goals are consistent with the program's mission and faculty specialty areas. This is not the place to reveal deep, dark, personal or family secrets. It's always a good idea to have your current advisor review your statement in draft form. In this way, you will increase the chances that you are clearly conveying the points you intended to express. Obviously, you'll also want to be sure your writing is grammatically correct and the final copy is free of typographical errors.

5. What if questions arise while completing the application?
The majority of applications have detailed instructions attached. If you are sure you have read the instructions carefully, it is perfectly acceptable to seek clarification of unclear questions or other issues that arise. A good place to start is with your advisor or other faculty at your current school. If, after local consultation, the question remains, contact the program directly. Depending on the question and the program, you might find the program secretary helpful (e.g., if the question has to do with the correct mailing address). However, as the person responsible for program administration, the program director or director of clinical training is generally available to discuss applicants' questions or concerns. In fact, if the application is unclear in some way, it would be very helpful for the director to have that feedback. Of course, whenever you contact program faculty or staff directly, you should endeavor to "put your best foot forward."

6. What about those application deadlines?
Application deadlines are not uniform across programs. Therefore, the various deadlines are important to keep in mind as you put together your applications for different programs. Keep in mind that the application deadline is the date by which all materials must be received, not just the part of the application for which you are responsible. To ensure that your materials arrive on time, request your GRE scores and letters of recommendation well in advance. At least one month before the first deadline, provide your letter writers with a list of the programs to which you are applying, the name of the individual to whom the letter should be sent, the deadline date for each, a copy of your recent curriculum vitae, and any additional reference forms required by the programs. Moreover, it is customary to provide a stamped, addressed envelope for each letter to be sent. It's not a bad idea to ask your letter writers if other information would be helpful to them.

7. To check or not to check?
Universities vary in the way they process graduate school applications. Some schools ask you to assemble the various pieces and submit one complete packet. For example, your letter writers may be asked to provide letters to you in sealed envelopes for inclusion in your application. However, at many schools, the pieces of the applications (e.g., your part, the reference letters coming directly from faculty, GRE scores, etc.) arrive independently and travel on a circuitous route through various graduate school divisions before they reach the program for which they are intended. In addition, at large schools, the admissions staff are processing incoming applications for many different departments and programs all at about the same time. Consequently, there are numerous opportunities for things to go awry. For these reasons, you'll want to check to be sure your application arrived and that all the various components are there. Some programs will not review incomplete applications.

8. What if the program director or program faculty calls?
Once you send in your application, there is a chance that a representative of the program (such as the program director or other faculty member) may contact you. Although not everyone will be contacted by phone, it is wise to prepare for the possibility. Toward this end, several points are worth considering.
The phone number you list on your application should be one that will answer during normal business hours (even if the answer is by machine) and reliably transmit a message to you. For instance, if you share a phone with several roommates, be sure that they will take messages accurately and get them to you in a timely way. If you share an answering machine with several others, make every effort to ensure that no one will erase an incoming message in error. This also would be a good time to review the greeting on your answering machine. Does your greeting present you as you would like to be seen by others or does it create an impression that does not reflect your assets? If you recently added a greeting in questionable taste as a joke among your friends, this might be the time to reconsider it.
Be aware that the timing of a call may seem somewhat unpredictable from your perspective. In other words, you could be in the middle of anything when a call comes. For instance, if you listed your cell phone number as your phone contact number, you could be shopping, rushing to your next class, or arguing with a significant other when you are phoned. Make every effort to minimize the influence of these extraneous factors on the professionalism with which you conduct yourself during a conversation with program representatives.
Even if you applied to many programs, try to keep in mind all the program names and key characteristics. If you don't remember applying to the program or remember very little about the program, you could find yourself in an embarrassing position in the event that someone calls. Be prepared to discuss typical questions such as why you applied, your fit with the program, and faculty with whom you might like to work if you were to be accepted.

9. To interview in person or by phone?
Programs differ in the way they handle interviews. However, if you are given an option to interview either in person or by phone, it is well worth the effort to select the in-person interview. Visiting the campus and meeting personally with faculty, staff, and students not only gives you much more information on which to make a decision but also provides data that are difficult to detect based on the written program materials alone. For instance, during the course of visiting for a personal interview, you'll get a sense about how you might fit with the other students, program climate, graduate student office space, and campus facilities (e.g., library, gym). If you are unfamiliar with the city, a visit could help you decide if you would be comfortable living there for several years.

10. What if I don't receive an offer of admission?
Application to graduate school has become increasingly competitive over the years. In many programs, there are far more excellent students seeking admittance than graduate student slots available. For this reason, the absence of an offer does not mean you are not a good candidate for graduate school. If you are not admitted this year, take time to review your application strategy and background. Did you limit yourself to a very small geographic area? Are there things you might do differently in preparing your application? Does your interview style require some fine-tuning? Are there areas of your background that could benefit from some additional work (e.g., research experience, course work)? If so, make some changes based on what you learned. Take some time to strengthen your application and reapply next year.

References

American Psychological Association. (2001). Graduate study in psychology: 2002 edition. Washington, DC: Author.

Sternberg, R. (Ed.). (1997). Career paths in psychology: Where your degree can take you. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

by Lisa Terre - University of Missouri-Kansas City

How To Talk To Your Baby – And Understand What She’s Saying Back

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

It is incredible, but within a years time your baby will progress from random crying to talking. This is quite an achievement for your baby and in a very short period of time. In this chapter we will look at your baby’s development when it comes to language. You’ll also discover what you can expect to see every month but it’s important to remember that these stages of your baby’s development are broad and because every baby is different these are not meant as exact milestones.

One month. Your baby will be able to understand speech long before actually talking. From birth he will look at your face and listen to your voice. He may make a small range of noises that will start to mean something to you - these may be made when he experiences feelings of hunger or pain (such as crying and certain sounds while he is breathing). When your baby is eating, you may notice him making sucking type noises and sounds of contentment.The way that your baby cries is an important communication method while he is actually unable to talk. Crying lays the foundation for speech as your baby learns to control his vocal cords. Crying is also a baby’s way of indicating hunger, discontentment, or general discomfort. Through responding to this crying you let your baby know that she is important to you – and this can really be reassuring for a young infant.

Two months. As a child enters his second month he is far more aware of the world – things such as sounds, even that of your voice, will amuse and fascinate your child. Change the tone of your voice and this will keep him amused. Your baby will respond with a variety of cooing sounds, vowel-like sounds, and sometimes some consonant sounds such as a “k”. You will find that your baby has quite a collection of cooing sounds that she uses to communicate with you as well as discover how to use the sound of her own voice. During this time, try and talk with your baby – this will encourage her response and help in the development process. By looking into your baby’s eyes you are communicating an important thing to her – that you are listening.
Three months. By now you will find that your baby is able to recognize your voice and may come to you or face you when your voice is heard. You may notice him laugh out aloud and may even scare himself by doing this (as he does not initially know that he is the one making the sounds). Your baby will be making sounds such as “ahhhh gooo”. He will squeal when he is happy and content, again often startling himself as he learns his own abilities.

At this stage you should not only talk to your baby but also introduce other communication forms such as singing and story telling. The greater your effort in trying to talk with him, the better his response is likely to be.

Four months. By now more and more communication should be taking place with your baby. You may notice a greater amount of smiling – while his babbling may have a noticeably singsong quality to it, often ranging into a high pitch that delights him as he learns to like the sound of his own voice. There will be lots of repetition to the sounds that your baby makes.

It is important that you always respond to your baby’s “oohs” and “ahhs” and whatever other communication methods she is using - respond with your own voice tones. This is your chance to have a “chat time” with your baby and you should take advantage of these times – you are helping him to discover the art of conversation. There will also be certain times when your baby may also not be in the mood for talking. He will turn his head in the other direction and may put his arm over his face. He may be showing signs of anger or frustration by crying out, especially if something is taken away from him.

Five months. As each month progresses you will find that your baby is becoming better at communicating. It’s possible that you will notice him imitate some sounds and gestures. By now he’ll most likely be able to let you know if he’s happy or sad. When attention is wanted your baby will babble until he is given the attention he feels he deserves. Interestingly, if you always respond to his communication efforts (whatever these may be) he’ll repeat them whenever he wants your attention this way.
During this month it’s likely that your baby will be looking at your mouth moving while you talk. Talk to him from across the room and he’ll be able to find you with ease. He is learning to control his vocal sounds as he watches your response to his sounds.

Six months. Your baby may now be using consonant-vowel combinations. It’s quite possible that he has discovered his mirror reflection and is probably having conversations with himself. Your baby’s language is becoming much more precise.
Here are some ways that you can help your baby develop her language skills:
Speak very slowly and clearly.
Identify and point out items, objects and people as you talk about them.
Use shorter sentences sentences.
Using repetition when singing songs and nursery rhymes helps the learning process.
Reading to your baby is a good idea and should be done as often as possible – ask your baby questions and point things out to make the process as interactive as possible.
Let your baby respond in his own way when communicating with her.

Seven months. Your baby is now continuing to learn how to use his newfound language skills. He may be able to do things such as wave goodbye and may accompany his wave with babbling sounds. He can say “mama” or “dada”.

Eight months. Your baby is playing games such as pat a cake and peek-a-boo. Even though he can’t speak the words that belong to these games, he can babble and talk to himself. It’s likely that your baby knows what the word “No” means by now as well.
Nine to twelve months. It’s possible that by now your baby understands requests and commands such as “give it” or “don’t touch that”. Similarly, she may understand simple questions such as “where’s your rattle?” At this time you should be encouraging your baby to use gestures (and you should respond to them). For example if your baby indicates she wants to be picked up then say “you want to be picked up?” while picking her up. This helps the learning process. You should also talk about everything that you do, and use gestures (and short sentences) as you’re doing them.

Here are some ways to help your baby with the learning process:
Look at books and talk about the pictures in simple languages. Where possible try and use books that your baby is able to hold.
Talk often to your baby using simple words to identify objects in his life. Name trees, numbers, colours, and animals as you take your baby for a walk. You should also use your baby’s name often – this way she will be able to recognise it.
Talk back to your child when she talks with you.
Introduce concepts to your baby, such as the “big” dog or the “little” mouse.
Give your baby time to get his words out; don’t be tempted to complete sentences for him.
Continue to read to your baby as much as possible. Reading should be part of your daily routine.
From day one start to talk in a simple, short and uncomplicated way with your baby – even though she will not understand what you are saying this is laying the foundations for learning language.

Twelve months. After one year babies are generally able to say one or two words and are able to understand 25 words or more. For example if a person in the room asks, “where is daddy?” your baby will look for you. Your baby is also able to point at things (and ask for things in this way).

Discover the ground-breaking new baby care book that teaches you absolutely everything you need to know about your newborns crucial first year of life:
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Keziah Engineer is the author of the best selling ebook “THE BABY CARE BOOK”. You can find more of her books at www.global-ebooks.com

Self Motivation : Building The Techniques

Sunday, July 26, 2009

There are many methods to build motivation in someone. The only lasting thing is self motivation. There are four techniques that anyone can use to build self motivation. This article will describe the four techiques in their priority order. These are quite simple techniques but powerful. If anyone follows them consistently, he or she should be able to keep the motivation level high at any time.

Fear and reward are two most commonly used methods to build motivation in someone. But, these methods are temporary. The only lasting thing is self motivation. Motivation actually is the enthusiasm of doing something. It refers to inner feeling, strong desires, and expectation about something. You may sometimes loose the necessary level of the inner drive to get something done. Self motivation is what you need to boost the level of your inner drive to achieve your goals.

Self motivation is a form of self encouragement. You will say to yourself that you have the capacity to do better and eventually get whatever you want in your life. This inner enthusiasm will push you forward until you achieve your set goals. You may not even be aware of any reward in the beginning but you keep working on it. You work on it because your inner strength says that you can attain your goals. This is your will power - the driving force behind your self motivation. Self motivation is a combination of will power, goals and ability to continue attaining the highest level of your success.

You need self motivation to accomplish tasks you have now. Along the way, you may be facing with situations that are discouraging and can bring down your motivational level. You need to keep yourself really focused on your objectives to maintain the level of your self motivation. Here are techniques you can adopt to start acquiring higher motivational level and achieve greater success.

Writing Your PlanSuccess does not come easy without any proper plan. Failing to plan is actually planning to fail. Therefore, you must give a greater emphasis on having well prepared plan to achieve your goals. You simply need to have your plan written on a piece of paper. Having your plan clearly written gives you more psychological inner drive to work toward achieving your goals. You create more enthusiasm and can see more clearly how you want to achieve your goals. Thus, your commitments will be much stronger.

When writing down your goals, state very specific terms. For example, if you want to accumulate certain amount of money, state exactly how much you want. You must also set a specific date to fulfill your goals and specific rewards for achieving your goals. Writing is not enough if you do not follow up with some reading. You have to make a point to read your written plan at least twice a day. Once in the morning before you start your day; and one at night just before you go to bed. This simple routine will keep you stay motivated.

Be realistic, things happen in life. Unforeseen circumstances may sometimes require you to make adjustments in your plan. Go ahead and make the necessary adjustments. But, try to maintain realistic limits. Do not make it too easy or too hard for you to achieve. Set it just right to maintain your motivation level.

Visualizing Your GoalsYou need to simply make your goals as visual as possible to maintain your motivation at the highest level possible. If your goal is to own an apartment, find pictures of your desired apartment keep them in front of your eyes. Visualizing your goals creates a positive impact on your mind and keeps your motivation surging. When you feel very down, visuals will help you provide the necessary boost to surge your motivation level.

Like the written plan, you have to make a point to see the visuals at least twice a day. The images you see of yourself achieving the goals you desire will instill strong impact in your mind, which will control your actions to maintain your level of motivation.

Controlling Your FeelingThis one is not quite straight forward action. It has to do with your feeling in your mind. You need to control what you feel. Your feeling will reflect your mental attitude and moods. If you feel upset and depressed, you will feel as if everything crashes on you. This feeling reflects on your physical self. You will lose concentration and everything you do will be full of mistakes. You have to learn to start controlling your feeling.

The simplest way will be to start your day with a smile. No doubt this can be fake at times due to things that happen around you, but you have got to master this simple task to ensure that things around you will be pleasant and enjoyable for the rest of the day. You can feel the enthusiasm and energy level soaring. You will be able to stay motivated and spread positive energy around you.

Your mental and physical attitudes work closely. Hence, to stay motivated, learn to develop cheerful and confident characters by simply walking with your face up and smile on it. You will realize that your confidence and self motivation developing. It is probably kind of hard to maintain the action, but with time, once it naturally becomes your way of life, you are able to motivate yourself even during difficult times.

Giving Your Effort A RewardYou need to give yourself a reward for what you have achieved. This one simply acts as an appreciation to yourself in achieving your goals. You have to credit yourself for what you have gone through, your determination and your hard work in ensuring your success.

Earlier I said reward is a temporary method to motivate someone. In this case, a reward is not what keeps you motivated. It is just an element to add flavor to your self motivation exercise. You may want to think of a simple reward that sounds reasonable with what you have achieved. Do not get over excited about this. Meaning, the reward has to be at par with your level of achievement. Take this positively to further enhance your level of self motivation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fadzil is an entrepreneur, writer, and web content developer. He enjoys helping individuals, who are excited about self improvement and attaining personal success, to learn the simple steps to achieve their goals. To learn more about such system, please go to: http://www.wisdomgateway.com/6wlmover/life_makeover.htm . He is also the founder of WisdomGateway which helps internet users to obtain knowledge in the area of Business Matters, Healthy Living, Hobbies & Activities, Internet Marketing, and Real Estate. To visit the site, please go to http://www.wisdomgateway.com .