Creativity & Sense: How to get the most value out of motivational books and seminars!

If you've ever attended a great seminar, then you've suddenly felt confident enough to climb Mount Everest, lose ten stone of body fat in a week or start a political revolution. In the likely event that your newfound motivation dissipated shortly afterwards, here's how to maximise the precious time and money spent on seminars, audio products and motivational books.

1. Take it away- When I visited New York City last year, a friend and I went to watch a Broadway musical. We loved the show and afterwards Girlfriend insisted we join a rather lengthy queue at the back of the room. "Surely we've got to have something to remember this by," she said. It made absolute sense and in the end I scooped up a number of souvenirs myself. Memory is fickle so don't expect to remember much of what you hear at motivational seminars. Take notes, buy the message on DVD or audio, or at the very least take home a branded pen to remember the day by. Every time I see the knick-knacks I bought in NYC I remember an aspect of the Broadway performance. Likewise, keepsakes from motivational events can help reignite your waning sparks of enthusiasm.

2. Replay- If you bought literature or compiled notes for yourself, make time to read and re-read them. Replay audio and DVD messages over and over until it penetrates your subconscious. The more you listen, the more detail you'll pick up. If the teaching is useful, make time to take it in. Listen intently as you commute, do the washing up or work on the PC. Get creative with the way you manage your time.

3. Take small steps- Don't get bogged by info overload. Practice whatever strategies you learn one step at a time. Pace yourself else you'll get fed up altogether and give up on the quest for self improvement. Habits are formed over time and cannot be changed at the wave of a wand.

4. Be consistent- Stick with the program until you see significant and lasting changes. For instance, if a book has called your time management skills into question, keep consulting that book until you are able to manage your time more effectively over a period of at least 3 months. Likewise stick with the weight-loss DVD you bought until you learn not just how to burn fat but how to keep it off as well. If the material doesn't work for you, find one that does but keep sight of your objectives no matter.

5. Pass it on- The best way to maximise your investment in motivational seminars and products is probably by sharing the valuable lessons you have learnt with others. Talk to family members, send (SPAM compliant) emails to colleagues, organise book readings at your house or have DVD nights in with friends. My husband and I attended a motivational event once and ever since have used some of the anecdotes to cheer each other up. By sharing the tickets with him, I've earned a free reminder service! When you pass something on, you get it back one way or the other so be sure to motivate others every little way you can.

According to selfhelpInc.com, the personal improvement industry turns over about $2.48 billion annually. Whether you work with a coach or walk the path of self development alone, be sure to maximise your precious time and money starting today.