As you are reading this, I am on holiday, enjoying head space and time with family. There is much that I am grateful for: generous neighbours who loan us their lovely little holiday cottage. Stunning beaches and Scottish scenery, even and especially in wild weather. Great food and loved ones to share it with. Engrossing movies and books and time to enjoy them. A wee break from emails, social media, electronic noise that can sometimes take up too much mental space. Darkness and stars and peace and quiet and fresh sea air. Sleep.
Lovely.
In my work as a life coach, motivation is often the name of the game. Inspiring and empowering clients to be motivated to achieve their goals as they work towards their dreams. And my own motivation to continue to run my business and see who I am and what I might have to offer to others. As a solopreneur, the direction my business takes, the focus of my work, how I use my time – all up to me.
I am by nature someone who is enthusiastic, optimistic, self directed and self motivated. Usually.
But sometimes I get tired, and run out of steam. And that is the beauty of well timed holidays – time to stop and step back and refuel.
Because committing to doing anything well and achieving your dreams takes time, effort and hard work. And like all of us, there are times when that can feel like trying to pull ourselves up by the shoe straps through thick mud.
Any of this resonate with you? What are your dreams? Have you shifted too much into striving?
Where does your motivation come from?
Last week I mentioned a motivational speech by the one and only Denzel Washington. The speech is full of wonderful soundbites that are indeed very inspiring and serve as a wee pick-me-up. My favourites:
Dreams without goals are just dreams and they ultimately fuel disappointment. Have dreams but have goals too, life goals, yearly monthly and daily goals…
And understand that to achieve these goals you must apply discipline and consistency – you have to work at it every day, and plan every day. Hard work works!
Don’t just aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference.”
What is most powerful for me just now ties in with the importance of taking time to stop, let my soul catch up, and reflect on who I am and what is most important to me.
We can get caught up in doing, busy, striving, running in circles.
But without time to stop and check in with ourselves as to WHY are doing what we are doing – what is the bigger picture – we can find that all we are doing is running in circles. Denzel again:
Just because you are doing a lot more doesn’t mean you are getting a lot more done – don’t confuse movement with progress. You can run in place all the time and never get anywhere.”
So stop a minute will you? ….. Take a deep breath.
And take a moment and watch this wee video. As you do so, consider for yourself:
What is most important to you?
What are your dreams, and what goals do you need to revisit?
What would re-motivate you towards achieving them, and growing more into who you are and what you can do?
If you are not a Christian, don’t let the God bit put you off – it’s a great speech, and much in here about the human spirit to celebrate.
A little October motivation for you. And if you need more, get in touch and we can work on your dreams and goals together.
Really good speech, good to refer to. Thanks .
I also lean on Neitzsche when procrastinating
“Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”
Thanks for this, and glad you liked the speech. Powerful words, and good soundbites to hold on to! I agree with the idea that when we decide to act, and take the first step, things happen that we could not have foreseen. This is about our own self belief, and a commitment to put into action what we say we want to do – nothing will happen if we do nothing, no matter how much we want it! Taking that first step is often the biggest hurdle. Great quote.