Daily Boost — Motivation and Personal Growth

I have a saying -

“Next year begins THIS year. Next month begins THIS month. Next week begins THIS week.”

If you want to stay on track, accomplish your goals, and enjoy life more - you MUST take control of your calendar. It’s easier than you think:

1) Life will come at you FAST! Be sure to schedule any significant and can’t miss life events at least one year in advance. Put it on the calendar and block it out. You can always change your mind.

2) Hold your space. Decide in advance what you will be doing with your days. When will you work on projects? When will you see clients? When will you have fun? 

3) Never end one week without locking in your schedule for the next - and stick to it. 

When your day-to-day focus fulfills your goals this week, the future is always brighter. Focus, my friend. Focus.

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Mrs. Etheridge was a 5th-grade teacher at Westgate Elementary in Manassas, Virginia. She had a special knack for motivating her most free-spirited student.

Now, I wouldn't be honest if I were to you, I remember how she tamed a young boy who saw the world as a place to explore - mostly between the lines. But I will say that when you begin teaching and motivating others to reach their full potential, you quickly find ways to get them out of the own way, fire them up, and enjoy more success.

When you first begin, meet others where they are and establish a frame for what is to come. That will get their attention.

Next, strengthen the foundation by reminding them of what they already know and its impact on their life.

The introduction of new knowledge arrives when they are open to receiving it.

But since stacking new knowledge on top of old is like chasing shiny objects and forgetting everything you've already learned, integrating the new with the old is where you put it all together.

Adding an exciting twist, something they didn't see coming as a bonus, and using it as a catalyst that paints a picture in their mind of the benefit of using the new knowledge in their lives.

Finally, give your students homework in the form of a challenge, compassionately hold them accountable the next time you see them, and repeat.

Everybody is driven by something different. When you structure teaching into a motivational flow that is relatable, repeatable, and re-framable, you create more excitement as you go and lives change.

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Can you remember when you filled your thoughts with dreams and ambitions? 

That’s how most of us live our early lives - until the real world splits into two distinct periods:

1) BEFORE life gets in the way. Anything IS possible. It’s a beautiful time when you run as fast as possible toward your goals. Even if your parents disagree.

2) AFTER life gets in the way. Anything WAS possible. Life is good, but it’s not what you expected. Your parents would have said, “I told you so.”

What if it was possible to remember what you wanted and why?

What if you could stand on a foundation of wisdom and experience and combine what you have now with what you want? 

That would be a brand new life, wouldn’t it?

Wait. It is possible. 

All you have to do is remember what you wanted all those years ago and start running after it again. 

Run fast. You’ve waited long enough.

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Before I begin, I want to define what I mean by doing nothing.

I don’t see doing ‘nothing’ as something unproductive. Instead, I see ‘nothing’ as a protected personal space that lies between your thoughts and your actions. 

It is a place that provides a contemplation and planning opportunity before launching into massive and focused action design to reach your outcome and achievement of your goal.

It is a holding space where inspiration, desperation, motivation, even intimidation, bubble up into your consciousness and await your next action.

Instead of moving your thoughts immediately into action mode or never moving at all, both of which cause unnecessary drama, you purposefully quarantine your thoughts until you are assured in your success plan or decide to take a new direction.

Doing nothing looks like this:

1) All thoughts and potential actions arrive in your mind and are held for evaluation.

2) Unless based on a previous decision and cleared for instant action, you always take the time to ensure that your actions will lead you to your vision.

3) If you don’t know the absolute end-game of your journey, you are still on another path. Don’t take a step until you know where you are one your new path.

In the end, doing nothing is a place in your mind where you choose your path, direct your actions, and create your legacy. It is a place of personal respect that is built into you and will allow you to have the most significant impact on yourself and the world around you.

I don’t know about you, but I get a lot of good thinking time when I’m doing nothing. That time is priceless.

If doing something takes you off track, you might be better off doing nothing - at least for a little while.

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I've been listening to clients tell me the story of their life. I can't help but wonder why they keep beating around the bush.

In journalistic terms, these folks are burying the lead. Instead of getting to the point, they begin with secondary details.

How does this relate to improving your life?

Many say, "I can't focus on anything." No. You are focusing on the wrong things.

Sometimes I hear, "I can't get myself get moving." Truth? You are moving - in the wrong direction.

They may say, "I don't have enough money!" No. You need more money.

Don't get caught up in the unimportant yet dramatic parts of life. Focus on the cause of your challenges. The results will change automatically.

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Creating a difference in your life requires simple actions. It’s all about getting what you want and keeping what you love.

1) Decide - Everything begins with your decision to transform.

2) Define - Aimless wondering is no fun. Defining your path will get you there.

3) Deploy - Putting your plan into action is the only way to make progress.

4) Defend - Your goal should be to make life better. When you find what you love - defend it so you never lose it.

Simple. I like simple Simple works!

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What if everything you did today came with no limitations and no consequences?  

What could you do with your life?

Limitations can be helpful. Staying within speed limits keeps you from getting speeding tickets. That's good.

Are you limiting yourself to a job that doesn't serve you? That isn't good. 

Fear of change usually creates limitations. Or is it the fear of bad consequences? 

What would happen if all consequences were good? 

Asking someone on a date may cause fear and hold you back. That all goes away the instant you hear, "Yes!"

Reach for the good!

Roll through your day believing that you are ten feet tall and bulletproof. Anything is possible! The Universe might prove you right.

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As a child, I wondered why I couldn't always have my way. Mom and Dad were so mean! I couldn't wait to grow up, move out, and experience being an adult. Everything would be different - or so I thought.

After stepping into the adult world, it didn't take long to realize that not much had changed. It turns out it wasn't my parents. It was life turning down my requests. Life was getting in the way. What was even worse was that I was getting in my way.

I've joked over the years that if I'm the Boss of me, so why don't I do what I say? Eventually, I realized having a big ass goal, being on a mission, and most importantly, motivation on demand was the solution.

Motivation is a powerful, if not fleeting, tool that we all need. But we need to understand one of the simplest ways our minds generate motivation:

1) Your physiology dictates your feelings. The easiest way to break free of a slump is to stand up, take a step, and REPEAT. Movement wakes your body up, guides your emotions, and makes anything feel possible.

2) Focus fuels your fire. If you're feeling unmotivated, you are also drifting in the wind with no direction. Shifting your thoughts in a positive direction and toward what excites you will break you out and get you moving.

3) The words you say create the emotions you feel. Negative self-talk will drag you, and everybody else, down. When you make the words, you say to yourself, internally and externally, positive and uplifting, everything changes. Words matter more than you think.

You're human. Your brain isn't wired to stay motivated all the time unless you are willing to give it a helping hand.

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