I love motivation.
I read self-improvement books and blogs. I listen to recordings of people who teach things that will make my life better. And I try very hard to apply the things I learn in my daily life.
But one thing has always puzzled me. Why isn’t motivation permanent?
I will admit to you that there have been times in my life when I found myself thinking…
“I’ve put in the time, effort and study to become a better me. I know the right things to do. So why am I struggling so much to keep myself focused and to take the actions I need to take on a daily basis?”
I am sure that I am the only one out there who has ever thought those particular thoughts. So this blog post may not be anything you need today. 🙂
After years of practical application – followed by years of study on the topic – I believe I know the secret to motivation.
Drum roll, please…..
Motivation is temporary.
“That’s it?”, you may be thinking. “That’s all you’ve got!”
Not quite, my friends. That’s not the whole story – it is just the beginning!
As a sales mentor for decades, I have told countless people that they should be a student of their industry. They should read things that will make them better at what they do – and that will make them a better person. I’ve told them to stop listening to their radio, and start listening to recordings of people that build their self-image, people skills and lift their spirits.
A salesman whom I worked with, named Chuck, once told me, “I’ve tried that motivation stuff before. I doesn’t last on me. It wears off.”
And do you know what? Chuck was right!
All external motivation wears off. Books, recordings, and seminars can be motivational – but their effect is only temporary. Performance reviews, goal sessions and “behind the doors butt chewings” may also be motivational – but they too only have a temporary impact.
Don’t get me wrong. You still need every single one of those things… well, okay – maybe not the “behind the doors butt chewings”.
Don’t confuse temporary with unnecessary. The cleanliness you achieve when you take a shower is only temporary too – but you still need to do so. Your car will run when you put gas in the tank – but only temporarily.
I don’t think Chuck would have said, “I’ve tried that showering stuff before. It doesn’t last on me. It wears off.”
There is a way to make motivation more than a temporary burst of energy. We will talk about that more next week.[lightbox link=”https://jeffcwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/inspire-people.jpg” thumb=”https://jeffcwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/inspire-people.jpg” width=”300″ align=”right” title=”inspire people” frame=”true” icon=”image” caption=””]
QUESTION: What motivates you?
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