Motivation

"GOD…. Test my motives and my heart." - King David

We all love to be motivated as it gives us that zest for living that few other things can and do, yet as true as this statement is, why is it that it is such a rare occurrence to come across the opportunity of being able to meet someone who seems to have this kind of consistent motivation all of the time? 

I have come to understand that motivation is the unseen fuel that gives us a reason to start something and keep it going until we reach our destination. So many of us though, often run out of steam or motivation as we encounter the normal obstacles that are part of any journey and therefore quit. This is usually because what motivated us was not genuine and part of who we really are. The very reason a very famous King as we saw on the quote at the beginning of the blog, asked God himself to test the motivation of his heart. He understood the importance of having his motivation tested, something very few us want yet extremely necessary if we want to be sure that our reasons and motivations like his are real, solid, and will stand the test of time.

People often fail because their motivation for doing things is the incorrect one. For example many of us go into business citing our main motivation as wanting to become rich. Unfortunately few with this motive alone ever do. Then there is those that go into business with a motivation to enrich others and as they do this many of them find out in time that they are rewarded over and above what they chose to give freely to others. Lets face it, we can all find something sooner or later that motivates us, yet in my experience it is not what motivates from outside that generates momentum but instead what comes from within. Yes, like confidence, it can be activated by something outside but it must begin and always be kept alive by something inside. Real motivation is like a living organism and must therefore be fed daily so it can stay alive and continue to grow like confidence. Zig Ziglar said, "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily. 

I believe that as we embark ourselves in a journey of self discovery, we will find the treasures, talents, and gifts that we have been given and as we discover these I believe motivation will also come wrapped up as part of this package. Unfortunately, many of us still choose not to undertake this journey and this is why we find so little motivation if any around our lives and often feel like we are starting something new every other month. Motivation comes when you are focused. When you know why you are here, when you have a clear destiny, when you are present and enjoy the process, when you discover who you are and you start living, being, and operating from that place. This is because when you know the truth about who you really are and what you are capable of, you will be automatically energized, as truth is one of the biggest liberators and motivators we can find.

In this famous movie we see what the right kind of motivation can do and how powerful it can be. Two armies face each other. One extremely well equipped, prepared, and talented. The other lacking in just about every area needed to win any kind of battle. The leader, a very motivated, passionated, and real man touches their hearts through a simple speech. He focuses his words in what every one of them really wants, which is their freedom. Once this genuine motive has been established within them, the excuses, and weaknesses disappear and the men become a very motivated and powerful army. An army that goes on to defeat the British though on paper they should have not done so. This is because as Norman Augustine said, "Motivation will almost always beat mere talent". It doesn't matter how well prepared you are and how good the equipment you have is. If you lack the motivation or reason that convinces you why you are doing what you do, you will never truly breakthrough to the place where you will experience the extraordinary.

While I work with sports and other personalities I discover many things about people and what makes them reach further than they had previously gone. Without exception all of those that I worked with and continue to work with today have a very clear motivation that usually goes beyond just wanting to win. You see if winning alone is the motivation then you will find that you will be no different than millions of others that also want to just win but rarely do. You have to dig deeper. You have to find something that will normally be beyond yourself, bigger than you or what you can gain, and as you find this cause or reason then the motivation that you will find will serve you well and help you to overcome even the greatest challenges life can throw at you.

Too many of us have and continue to spend too much of our time investing ourselves and our energies in trying to control and teach the mind. Though I do not have anything against this and though there are very powerful and transforming lessons to be learnt as we educate and shape our minds, you will never get motivated by your brain as motivation comes from the heart. The same place passion and true love come from. Therefore, I want to encourage you today to start guarding, investing, and listening to your heart so you can be true to it. Choosing to do this might take longer and it is likely that the road will be harder but I also know that as you do this, you will not only find the motivation you need to reach and fulfill your destiny, but most importantly you will find a never ending supply of energy and passion that will empower and motivate you to live in and experience the unprecedented you having been always looking for.  

Always for you!

Pablo

Copyright 2011 Pablo Giacopelli/www.holdingonloosely.com