Tag Archives: Life

Monday Motivation: Don’t Be Afraid to Be Different

 

“Don’t be afraid of being different, be afraid of being the same as everyone else.” -unknown

 

It’s easy to compare yourself to others and worry about living up to society’s expectations. Sometimes it’s hard being different from family members, coworkers, school mates, or friends. Those that try to blend in with others are truly taking the easy route; they aren’t required to think their own thoughts, so they just end up going with the flow.

Being different by thinking outside of the box is what has helped many people become great leaders, inventors, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

 

Be an inspiration to others by forging a new path and staying true to yourself today!

Monday Motivation: Find A Way, Not An Excuse

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“If you really want to do something you’ll find a way, if you don’t you’ll find an excuse.” -Jim Rohn

 

It’s easy to put off boring or tedious tasks, but if you want to be successful, you have to complete them. Many of us can easily procrastinate these menial duties (me included). Checking email, completing forms, and simply planning may seem unimportant at the time, but finishing every task without procrastination is a habit that will make you truly productive.

Completing long term goals, following your dreams, or just doing your job well will require that you finish small tasks daily. These tiny steps add up and can cause you to succeed or fail over time.

 

Choose to be productive today, so you will reach all your goals tomorrow!

Monday Motivation: Hard Work Beats Talent

 

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” -Tim Notke

 

It’s easy to find people who are smarter or more talented than you. There are always going to be those who you believe are more apt to succeed, but you aren’t trying to compete with them. You are just trying to become the best version of you.

Some people seem to be born with natural talent, but if they never take the first steps on the climb toward success, they will never reach the top. Those who toil will eventually pass those who are talented, but don’t strive for greatness.

 

Hard work supersedes talent every time!

 

Monday Motivation: It Only Seems Impossible

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“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” -Nelson Mandela

 

Your current to-do list might seem insurmountable at first, but once you start, you will realize that you will finish sooner than you think. Tasks that are never started will never be completed. So, don’t fear that you’ll never finish, begin and you’ll be closer to the end.

It’s also easy to become discouraged when you hear that your goals are unrealistic. The most innovative people are sometimes told that their dreams are impossible. This quote of Mandela’s is a reminder that what seems impossible now will become possible when your dreams are realized. Those that never give up are the ones who are able to actualize their aspirations. So, if anyone disparages you from following your passion, listen to your drive instead of their disheartening words.

 

Monday Motivation: You’re Braver Than You Believe

 

“Promise me you’ll always remember:  You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – A. A. Milne

 

It’s easy to focus on our short comings, because we know them intimately. We remember every time we make a mistake or fail miserably. This make us want to stay in our comfort zone; not wanting to try something new or venture out into unknown territory. We complete the tasks we know we can accomplish at our jobs. We don’t try to find new adventures on our days off. No wonder we feel like all our days are the same!

Repetition gets laborious and boring. We can accomplish more than we admit to ourselves. We can tackle new projects at work and display our talents in new ways we haven’t even thought of before.

Remember this week that you are braver, stronger, and smarter than you think you are!

 

Monday Motivation: Work Hard, Get Lucky

 

“Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get.” -Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald’s

 

Some think others are famous or successful, because they were lucky. They see the end results, but not the hard work, sweat, and even tears that came first. They see the confetti and not the grunt work. They see the highlight reel and not the real moments behind the scenes.

Writers put ideas onto paper. Readers see the finished product wrapped in a beautiful cover; black ink printed on pages filled with a masterpiece of a story. They don’t see what the writer initially had to overcome:  hours of writing and editing, writer’s block, rejection after rejection from publishing houses, and doubt that anyone would actually buy and read their work.

Will every writer become a bestselling author? Will everyone who works hard become successful? No, but the combination of hard work and taking advantage of every opportunity can get you closer to achieving your goals. To some, it might seem that you’re lucky, but you’ll just know all the hard work you’ve put into your business or art is finally coming into fruition.

 

Monday Motivation: Choose Positive People

 

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” -Mark Twain

 

There might be people in our life who dissuade us from chasing our dreams and accomplishing our goals, because they are simply too scared to attempt their own. Sometimes we can choose who we surround ourselves with, such as our friends. Others, such as family and coworkers, are more stationary, but we can decide who we will listen to.

Choosing to spend time with those who lift us up and encourage us to pursue achievement is essential to our growth and success. If we allow discouraging nay-sayers to plant seeds of doubt into our minds, we will not be motivated to take even the smallest step toward attaining our aspirations.

It would be nice to surround ourselves with talented entrepreneurs, inventors, writers, actors, and business people, but it’s not necessary. What is crucial is to choose friends who will encourage our endeavors. Even when we encounter setbacks and difficulties, they are the ones who will cheer us on. Even when our motivation is lacking, they are the ones who will keep us going. So, remember to ignore the doubters and amplify the believers!

 

Monday Motivation: Motivate Yourself

 

“Be miserable or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.” -Wayne Dyer

 

It’s easy to dread Monday after a weekend of freedom and rest. It’s easy to complain about having to go to work or simply having to complete undesirable tasks. What some might not realize is that we have a choice:  we can be miserable or we can be happy. Life is full of work and obligations. We can let ourselves become bitter under the load or we can choose to be positive and find joy even in the grunt work.

If we think about work in a different way, we should be grateful to even have a job. Some wish and pray to be hired but, for one reason or another, they are unable to find a position. Here we are, complaining about our work when someone just like us would love to switch places with us.

If we choose to be miserable, we will be. It sounds like such a simple statement, but it holds a deeper truth. We easily forget that we have a choice. Monday will always come whether we are ready for it or not. We can choose to abhor it or we can choose to use it. We can choose to react negatively to what happens to us or we can choose to react in a more positive way. We can choose to be happy and grateful that we have employment. We can choose to be happy and productive. We can choose to motivate our self to achieve our overall goals whether it be monetary gain, a sense of satisfaction in completing work, or attaining success. We can spur ourselves on or wallow in bitterness. Just remember:  it’s your choice!

 

Monday Motivation: Believe You Can

 

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

 

This sounds like an exaggerated quote; like your belief will actually write half of your paper for school or physically wash half of a large pile of laundry. It’s not an exaggeration, because your belief in completing a task is what propels you forward. If you doubt, then you won’t even begin working on the project that lies before you. If you believe, then you will start a task and you will push through until it’s complete. Even if it becomes difficult, if you believe, then you won’t give up.

If I doubted that I would ever finish writing a book, then what would be the point in writing the first word? The confidence that I have in myself is what helps me to begin writing even when I know it is sometimes difficult to get down the next sentence, paragraph, or chapter. I continue writing, because I believe that I will complete the rough draft and, ultimately, the final draft at some point in the future.

Believe in yourself enough to know that you can successfully complete the task you’re working on right now. It might take a considerable amount of time, talent, patience, and perseverance; but you will finish in the future, because you believe now.

 

Monday Motivation: Don’t Wait Until Tomorrow

 

“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” -Picasso

 

It’s so easy to procrastinate. I personally struggle with this on a daily basis. It’s easy to put off tasks that I don’t particularly enjoy, because I assume I will have time to complete them later. As an independent writer and author, I don’t have anyone to tell me when articles or books are due except myself. I can shirk some of these responsibilities, because I don’t have anyone to answer to. But does this attitude generate a plan for success? Of course it doesn’t.

Motivating yourself can be hard sometimes, but motivation starts with desire. Desire comes from a place of wanting to achieve your goals. Keeping your dreams and aspirations in mind is one way to fight off feelings of procrastination. Even simple, everyday tasks that you don’t want to finish can affect your long-term goals. Every step you take today can either help or hinder your pursuit of success.

 

Choose progress over procrastination. If you never do what needs to be done today, you’ll never succeed tomorrow!