Characterizing “motivation as a myth” is only a partial truth but it illustrates an important point. Too often folks describe their failure to do what is needed or necessary as a failure of motivation. This is based upon the fallacy that to complete a task you must wait until you “feel” like doing it. Well, that is all well and good if the needed emotion is there when the time comes.
However, the reality is that some things need to be done whether we feel like it or not. This is especially true if we are to live our best lives and progress toward our highest selves. Another reality is that energy follows action: once you start, momentum will carry you forward. Call it discipline, call it being true to our goals, call it living in alignment with your self-concept, call it honoring your commitments, call it what you will, successful people find a way to just do it. Motivation is just one tool in the toolbox of successful people: terrific when it works, plenty of backups when it doesn’t.
Closing Quotes:
“It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” – Zig Ziglar, 1926-2012
“Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential.” – John C. Maxwell, b. 1947, ‘The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership’
“The successful person has the habit of doing the things failures don’t like to do. They don’t necessarily like doing them either but their disliking is subordinated to the strength of their purpose.” – Albert E. Gray, ‘The Common Denominator of Success’
As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier