Learn More About Motivation

Motivation is a simple concept. Finding sources of motivation, in practice, however can be a little complicated sometimes. The things that motivate us as children become less important as time passes.

Even as adults, events around us can change our ways of thinking and our outlooks toward certain ideas and activities. The nature of individual motivation is in a constant state of flux.

As such, it is important to constantly refill our motivational cup. We need to find ways to prod ourselves toward our goals and aspirations, realizing that we won’t always be able to draw from the same sources of inspiration.

One of the best possible ways to learn more about motivation and how to find it is by becoming a student of the subject.

By reading and learning more about what makes us tick and what compels us to “do better,” we can always have real sources of inspiration at our disposal.

Becoming a student of motivation is a great way of becoming a more fulfilled person and of reaching our individual goals.

You Need To Just Let Go

The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice that which we are for what we could become. - Charles DuBois

Do you struggle to step into your new life because you’re still hanging on to the old one? No matter how badly you might want to change your life, clinging to old circumstances that no longer serve you will prevent you from being able to move forward.

It’s scary to let go of what is familiar to us, even if it doesn’t make us happy. Most of us would rather stay in comfortable and familiar circumstances (even if they are unfulfilling) rather than move into new and uncertain territory. That’s a normal reaction, but a limiting one all the same.

In order to make room for better circumstances, you need to let go of your current ones. You don’t have to do it all at once, but at least one thing at a time. Are you clinging to old friendships that don’t contribute to your life anymore? Are you still working at the job you’ve had since young adulthood even though your pay is capped and you’re bored out of your mind?

Are you stuck in a loveless marriage but too frightened to move on? Whatever situations are keeping you stuck, be willing to release them in order to make room for something better.

When you begin this process, it brings up all kinds of scary feelings. When you remove a set of circumstances that once served as a foundation, other parts of your life may collapse of their own volition. You may find yourself floating in a dark void that may not be filled up right away.

You may feel empty, lonely, terrified and unbalanced. All of this is a normal part of the growth process. Simply turn within and allow your inner guidance to lead the way. Ignore any temptation to succumb to panic and instead just go with the process one moment at a time.

Enjoy the weightless feeling you get after releasing something that no longer serves you, and keep affirming that something better will fill that void soon – and it will happen sooner than you think!

How To Use Failure As A Learning Experience

Never say, "oops." Always say, "Ah, interesting." - Author Unknown

So many of us fear failure because we take it as a personal reflection of our own worth and capability in life. We think that if we didn’t do well at one thing it must mean that we will never be good at it, or anything else we try.

We think it means that we’re less of a person or we’re destined for a life of mediocrity. Even worse is when a failed attempt seems to reinforce the limiting messages we’ve been fed by others in our lives. “Mom always said I wasn’t the lucky type; I guess she was right . . .”

Nothing could be further from the truth! Failure at anything simply means that we now have a wonderful learning opportunity in the palm of our hand. We tried one way, and it didn’t work. That just means we need to find another way – or retry the first way (depending upon the situation).

It could mean that we didn’t give our full effort because we weren’t feeling too confident about our ability to succeed, or it could mean that we need to try several times until we really master the activity. It could even mean that circumstances weren’t right and the timing was off, but if we try again it might work like a charm next time.

DON’T let failure hold you back from trying something new! In fact, look forward to failure because it will teach you a lot about yourself and your resiliency. When something doesn’t go as planned, look at it objectively and ask why.

Did you do something you shouldn’t have? Did you not do something you could have? Did you approach the goal from a less than favorable angle? Could you try again from a better angle, or with a different mind-set, or using different action steps? You are bound to achieve favorable results if you keep working at it.

If you stop working at it and don’t learn anything from the experience, THAT’S what you call failure.