We're taught to trade our time for money, but there is little we can do to influence how much our employer pays us. So the net effect is that we take the wage we're offered and in good times we may get a 2-3% increase year on year.

For most people, that's enough. As long as they can live on their income they are happy enough with their income for the level of job they are doing. For many, they have no real desire to move up the ladder to the next level, so they know their income is fairly set.

Having spoken to many Finance Managers and Directors over the years in my role as a Senior Manager in Pay and Pensions, I've discovered that they fully believe that their staff are ONLY motivated by money. If they offer more income or better bonuses they expect harder work and better performance! What do they expect? Blood?

Many staff will feel as though they're doing all they can anyway. There is no more effort! Right?

Well, the interesting thing is that many people love their job, or they're fairly happy with their job to the point that more money isn't necessarily going to change the way they work or the hours they are prepared to put in. Sound familiar?

What would motivate you to do things differently? Have you ever thought about that?

I'm going to assume that as you're reading this article you've got an interest in property. You probably also have an interest in increasing your motivation.

Are you motivated by money? Or does the thought of earning a significant amount of money make you feel a bit embarrassed? Are you stopping yourself from making money because you want to make sure you still fit in with your friends?

Often we're encouraged to imagine being a millionaire. For many people this simply isn't realistic. Rather than insisting you visualise what it feels like, I'm going to ask you a couple of questions instead.

* Would you be more motivated by an incentive of 5,000 cash or a fully paid cruise in the Caribbean?
* Would you be motivated by an extra day or two off - fully paid?
* Would you work harder for a bonus of a new TV; audio kit; ipod; ipad; laptop and iphone?
* Would you be motivated by being offered a beautiful place to work at no extra cost?

Ask yourself - what is it that you are currently giving up in order to do the work you do?

In most instances it is time - for yourself, with family or doing the things you want to do.

So, how would things be different if you had more time?

Does having more time on your hands sound appealing? Early retirement has been bandied about as an aspirational goal for some years now, but many people struggle with the idea of 'not doing anything'! I hear "I'll have to do some sort of work or I'll get bored."

The beauty is that these days retirement means being able to do the things we want to do - and we are able to motivate ourselves with the promise of being able to choose. What would you choose?

For others, motivation is reduced by the thought of having more time on their hands. Some even struggle with being in their own company. Many people who set up their own business struggle without the discipline that work inflicts. If work provides the basis for your social life and gives you purpose then the idea of having time to yourself could be a real barrier to some of the aspirations that others are trying to create for you.

You don't have to give up work to have more money or to invest in property. Sometimes it actually helps to have an income - particularly when it comes to getting mortgages.

If you want extra income, but dread the thought of giving up work, then how about aiming to match your current income so that you can have the house you have dreamed of, or the holiday you would really like. Match the amount you earn from property on a monthly basis with the monthly amount of the reward you desire. E.g. school fees - what is the cost per month that you would need to cover; A dream holiday - how much per month would you need to set aside?

How about the best of both worlds?

Many companies these days are prepared to give employees a sabbatical in order to take time out to do what they would like to do - this allows you to go and explore other avenues, or in the case of the property investor to set up the processes that will enable them to purchase property systematically when they are back at work.

If a 3 month or even 6 month sabbatical would suit you so that you can get things started then how would you use your time?

It may be that during this process you are able to work out an exit strategy from your work if you would really like that. You could begin to work part time if your profession allows, and if you allow yourself that liberty.

How long would it take you to replace your income?
In reality it would not take as long as you might first imagine to replace your current income through property investments. If you replaced your income, would that make you a millionaire? No, I didn't think so.

In which case what does 'Millionaire' mean to you? What could you make that word mean for you?

For example if the goal you aspire to is to be a 'Millionaire' and that seems so far off that you never actually take the first step then it is in fact negatively motivating. It is de-motivating.

So if your own Millionaire status aspiration is only once, twice, or even three times your current income then make that you goal. After all, how would you feel if you were earning twice your income from property as well as the income from your job or business? Pretty good I expect!

* Is that more achievable?
* Is that more in keeping with your social group?
* Is that going to be easier to achieve for you in the next year or so?

So, if Money is not really your motivator and thinking of yourself being a millionaire is a bit embarrassing then change your thinking NOW.

What does motivate you?
What do you need to do to put in place that reward that will motivate you?
Are there others involved in achieving that reward (i.e. going on holiday)?
Do you need to enquire at work to see how your ideal can be accommodated?

The saying goes 'give a job to a busy person', so the less time you have to achieve your goal in on a weekly basis, then potentially the more likely you are to achieve it.

Make your style of motivation work for you.

Happy investing
Yvonne