Finding Motivation

Finding Motivation

In that moment of quiet reflection, immediately upon awaking each day, what goes through your mind? Are you already dreading the day, anticipating the worst? Or do you feel the stirring of excitement for the challenges that await you? If the latter is true, you have the gift of motivation.

What makes some people motivated and others desperately waiting for that spark that will ignite their fire? Those who are motivated do not wait. They create their own spark instead of relying on some external force to do it for them. They have taken charge of their life and have a plan for living it. The question is, how did they do it?

Motivated people create a vision of who they want to be and then live as if it were already true. If you struggle with that vision, try some creative ways to capture your dreams.

Write a futuristic story about yourself. It doesn’t have to be true, just write your fantasy life. I think you will find more truth about yourself than you know. To quote author Steven Chandler, “Fake it ‘til you make it”. In other words, live as if you are going to achieve these things. Believe them. Begin setting small goals that you can easily achieve. Instead of saying, “I will drink 64 oz. of water.” Say, “I will drink more water today than yesterday.” I will eliminate two cigarettes a day this week.” “I will work on one task, but I will finish it before I start another.” Move a little more each day and you will gain momentum. Set daily goals and commit to them. Eventually you will be able to make them more challenging.

Success motivates you to succeed. Allow yourself to experience it and it will feed upon itself. Consider failure as an opportunity for learning and then move past it.

Kim Peters, RN
St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers