Today I expand on 'Opportunity' and how you need to take it when it's presented. I had the chance to watch a bridge explosion today and missed it because I was hesitant, complaining and skeptical. Don't be like me.... take hold of opportunity when it's available. Ask out that girl, take that Job, jump fully clothed into that pool! The only shame you should feel is the shame of not doing something EPIC when you had the chance! Opportunity is defined as, "a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something." It's also a NASA Rover on Mars. Think about that definition....'a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.' To me, that means that 'Destiny' has put things in place for you to experience something bigger than you expected. Opportunity, is a gift that is given to you by Fate. Now, because you have free-will you have the option to ignore it. But why would you?!?! Would you refuse and ignore a gift that was handed to you in person? No way! So why would you refuse a gift of 'Experience?' An experience is a much grander gift than any material item could ever dream to be. It is one of the things that influences our life and forms us into who we are. Now, you may be apprehensive about taking an opportunity because it seems daunting. Or you will be ashamed if you fail. Don't be. The only shame you should ever experience in life is the shame of not trying when you could have....not taking an opportunity when it could have been the best thing in your life. If you want to feel shame, regret, anger, hatred....(the Dark Side) then be my guest. But generally, no one really wants to feel that way. So take the initiative and seize the gift destiny has given you!
How do you drive motivation? Well, first we have to determine what motivation is defined as. From Merriam-Webster, " The act or process of giving someone a reason for doing something. 2. A force or influence that causes someone to do something. " So, what drives you to do what you do? Is it necessity? Passion? Curiosity? Or does your 'Purpose' drive/motivate you? To me it seems that motivation without a purpose is a moot cycle. You can be driven all day long but what is your endgame? Let's see what purpose is defined as: " The reason why something is done or used; the aim or intention of something. 2.) The aim or goal of a person; What a person is trying to do or become." BAM! There it is. I can't explain what drives me without understanding my purpose first. People want to be motivated ( or use motivation tactics like exercise, goal setting, accountability) but they often times don't realize why they need motivation. What is your purpose? Why do you exist? What do you want to do in this life? Who do you want to be? I originally wanted to be Indiana Jones. I have always had a keen spark of interest in Mythology (mainly Greek & Norse) and always said my life's goal was to find the lost city of Atlantis. That interest motivated me to go to college and learn more about it. I had purpose and it motivated me to do something about it. Later in my life, my family was struck with cancer, Alzheimer's and heart attacks. This motivated me to be healthier so I could live my life without medical complications. My purpose was to NOT Die. Now, I have a house, wife, kids, pets and a HOME. I am motivated to work harder, make money, live longer, share the love and have many laughs! My purpose is to promote the well-being of my children and they are my constant motivation! You see there doesn't have to be 1 over-arching 'Purpose' in life. They can change through the years, months, weeks, or even days! But you have to assign some 'Level of Importance' that defines how they will directly motivate you. If you are feeling down, depressed, sad and lacking motivation here is what I want you to do:
Realize that no matter what you will always have purpose in ANOTHER's eyes. You are your parent's purpose, or your boss's purpose, or the homeless man's purpose when you gave him some change.
Through your eyes you may forget your purpose and therefore won't be motivated to accomplish the proper steps towards your goal.
If you have lost this purpose, ask yourself this: What do you wish you could be? Even if just for today? THEN THAT IS YOUR PURPOSE! DRIVE YOURSELF TO IT!
Even if it's just a quick goal you wished for...it still gives you purpose. Your motivation is to turn that tiny wish into an accomplishment. Never complain you don't have motivation. There is always something to dream for.
Procrastination affects us all. Only you can prevent it! Seriously though...its a learned trait that you needn't employ in your everyday life. Overcome daunting tasks by accomplishing little pieces of the task one at a time. Measure things by importance rather than level of difficulty. Make accomplishments your excitement and be proud of what you have done!
