Motivation

Motivation can be direct or indirect, instructive or destructive, depending on the circumstances. I am so grateful to have had so many positive, motivating people and communications over the years and want to share some insights with you. Motivation for me at ages 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 were similar in some cases and very different in others. I do not have to tell you how very difficult life can be. In the very darkest moments, my faith in God, my family and friends made life bearable; I could see my way out of the darkest of tunnels. I am an avid reader, typically of material with a positive ending, so I continually search for comments, phrases, and others’ life lessons to propel me to take the next step – positive action.

As an adult, I have always been drawn to motivational authors and speakers. I will say that what worked at age 20 typically did not work at age 50. No apologies needed here – my perspective, and I suspect yours, changes with time. The internet has broadened our ability to search for just the right word or thought to use to help propel us forward. In recent years, tele-seminars, podcasts and live stream are a few of the newer modalities to expand our learning potential. Regardless of the source, when we take our “intentions” to the next level, our perspective begins to change.

Take a moment to reflect on an event in your life where someone or something excited you, encouraged you, and your new thought became “I can do this!” What are you working on personally or professionally that may need that extra nudge to take it to the next level – action or more action? I use a number of things, but a new one for me is five beautiful agate word magnets that I have placed strategically on my computer base “Imagine”; “Believe”, “Laugh”, “Love”, and “Create”.

I do have a word of caution for you on negativity. There are many in the world that thrive on being naysayers and love to shoot down any positive thought or idea you may express. If there are any realistic issues brought forward that you need to consider, do so; otherwise, do not waste your time or any other resource on these people. Surround yourself with positive, like-minded people who will support and motivate you as you move forward. Ask yourself: “Who am I seeing; what am I reading; what am I watching? Are my actions and decisions about these motivating me to positive action? If not, what steps should be taken to improve?”

As with any habit, especially if it is new, make the time for daily affirmation and repetition of something positive as you begin and end your day. Try this for ninety days and reward yourself at the end of each week with something that simply makes you smile. This can be very contagious and I hope contributes to your personal and professional success.

Finally, I leave you with this thought from an organization called Great Quotations:

“Did is a word of achievement, won’t is a word of retreat, might is a word of bereavement, cannot is a word of defeat, ought is a word of duty, try is a word each hour, will is a word of beauty, can is a word of power.”