Finding the motivation to achieve success isn’t easy.
I’ve always seen life as a beautiful opportunity – a chance to be happy and loved.
It’s been my experience that many people take a pessimistic view of life and use catchphrases to express their displeasure in casual day-to-day conversation. While I’m an optimist, I’m not blind to the challenges I and others face.
I had always looked forward to getting more than I had out of life with my optimistic approach. I was full of positivity, but I was living an inconsistent life. In my head, I saw the results I wanted and had faith I would get it, but my vision was not met with the actions needed to fulfill them. I kept telling myself life would get better if I had faith, but faith without wisdom in following through with the right actions leads to dead dreams.
I was having trouble finding motivation.
My thinking shifted when I saw what resulted from that way of thinking. I started to focus on the results I wanted instead of focusing on my thoughts. Before, I focused on my thoughts first without revisiting my desired results. I realized my thinking lined up with the result I wanted by making that shift.
Before the change, my thoughts didn’t have direction or aim. The goal was to be happy and positive, but I wanted more. I need a specific focus.
Without a specific purpose or aim, my life began to collapse. My most challenging realization was when I started losing people I cared about. After a month of deep prayer and meditation, I dug in and created my value system.
How Finding Motivation Changed Everything
My value system consists of values, priorities, goals, and purpose. I base every decision on producing the results I want by following this results-based thought process.
This thought process is what made me realize I found my motivation.
The first thing I did was start with the end in mind. But because I didn’t know what I wanted to accomplish, I started with what I wanted people to remember me as and what I would like them to say at my funeral.
Once I figured out who I wanted to be to others, I began thinking about who I would have to be to make that happen and what I would have to do. The key is to be still genuine. I dug within myself and did an inventory of what I enjoyed doing, from my first memory to the present.
With my values, priorities, and goals connected, it was easy for me to find motivation all around me. Knowing what I aimed to accomplish and knowing where I was, I cleared my vision. I drove myself to move forward because my situation was not what I wanted. Seeing my family experience less than they deserve, struggling with finances and self-discipline, I became hungry to succeed in my purpose.
What is Motivation?
Motivation is the drive to achieve success in something.
There’s no shortage of motivation. It’s everywhere. We can find it in technology by watching YouTube videos, browsing through social media, or seeing an ad on TV.
I remember watching motivational videos, reading books, and doing a lot to stay motivated. My problem was I spent more time staying motivated than I did figuring out what I wanted to accomplish. There was no end goal to achieve anything. I just wanted to feel good. I needed a plan and consistency.
We all have reasons for doing what we do, regardless of how big or small the reason is. Even when we don’t understand why we are doing something, there is always a reason – a driving force that propels us to behave a certain way or take action.
My motivation/reason is my happiness, but I had to learn that. I realized that all my actions were done to bring joy to myself. That is the choice connected to the people, things, and experiences around me. Although I am affected by my surroundings, my surroundings don’t control my happiness. My decision on where I live mentally and emotionally does. It’s like that with everything in my life.
4 PIllars for Finding Motivation
Sharing time with family is the sole motivation for many people.
Family is the single unit that has a place at the core of my soul, not because they’re blood-related. It’s deeper than that. It’s the connection established through love, trust, struggle, and perseverance.
Relationships that endure through struggles with love and trust grow stronger bonds.
Here are four pillars for finding motivation:
1. Initiates the willingness to change,
2. Encourages positive action,
3. Carries through difficulties, challenges, and
4. Motivates daily.
These are four pillars for finding the right motivation.
Initiate the Willingness to Change
If you want to change, change yourself. Although that’s easier said than done, anything worth doing is met with mountains to climb. The change I was looking for was lasting. I knew I needed to make deliberate decisions driven by a solid motive to ensure that my changes would stay for a long time.
It sheds light on what controls how I behave, act, think, perceive the world, and interact with it. I program my mind according to my experiences and how I respond to those experiences. Eventually, what my mind takes from those experiences is expressed through my actions, behaviour, and beliefs. I was compelled to share my newly developed understanding of consciously living life through the mind instead of following subconscious habits.
Encourage Proactivity
Take action. “MOVE!” As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, I hear that a lot.
Sometimes I need a catalyst to keep me going, but the choice to begin is from the inside. When I choose to express my choice through words, actions, or behaviours, others become aware of that choice.
Once I became self-aware and committed to my choice, I noticed my perception changed. I start seeing more ads and perceive things in a way that gives me encouragement that renews my ambition. None of that happens until I breathe life into my choice.
Motivation does not have to be a negative experience driving you to make positive change. It can be positive. Turn fear into a driving force that overpowers fear, doubt, and struggle. Get out there and take action – this will help you understand who you are, what motivates you, and what is important to you.
Helping Youths Develop Leadership Skills
I help youths and young adults develop leadership skills and plan for their futures. I use my experiences to help shape and inspire children to improve their quality of life. I help youths build confidence, develop healthy relationships, become self-starters, and create lasting impressions. Contact me today.
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