We have all had those moments when we have been inspired. We may hear a personal story of someone overcoming life-altering obstacles. We may take motivational seminars that help us see ourselves in a different and better light. We may even see others living out a selfless life that inspires us to try to do the same. Even the most cynical among us are inspired from time to time, even if that inspiration is to be cynical. Being inspired is a natural human response. The question is not whether or not we will be inspired but what does that inspiration move us to do when we are alone?
Like everyone else I have had my inspirational moments. They have come in a variety of ways with a variety of characters and messages. However they have come they all have inspired me to be better, to push to a better self. A push to be better is not the only commonality these inspirations have, they have at least one more – they all fade. Think about it, when we are in the middle of hearing personal stories, seeing inspirational acts or being enlightened on our value it is easy to be inspired. In those moments negativity and doubt are low while positivity and confidence are high. Yet, when those moments are over, when the stories stop and you leave, the doubt and negativity slowly come back. What hours before was a real and tangible inspiration may fade into something surreal, as though it was a dream. It is in that moment we have to make the choice of what to strive toward – the positive inspiration or the negative doubt.
For me that striving waxes and wanes. At times the motivation is there to push through any doubt or laziness while at other times I allow myself to be lazy and doubtful. I have learned an invaluable truth though, whatever I do or do not do, it is my choice. It is my choice if I push through the doubt or not, through the laziness or not. Because motivation is inward inspirational moments can only do so much. It is up to us whether or not we do what we know to do.
We can learn techniques and mantras, even be a living book of motivational quotes, but all of those things we learn all look to do the same thing – start the inward wheel of motivation. In the end there is no trick to being motivated when we are alone. It is simply the desire to be better overcomes anything else – whether that else is laziness, doubt, fear, etc. It is having that desire where most of us fail.
Knowing what motivation and desires we have takes a honest assessment, which we have mentioned before. Take a moment to reflect on yourself. What honest assessment do you give yourself? It is in that assessment we come to know whether or not we have that driving desire when we are alone. Motivational techniques, mantras, quotes, inspirational stories will all eventually fail if we do not have that inner desire to be better.
If motivation is not something we can purchase in quotes or seminars how do we acquire it? I am not sure it can even be acquired. I think it is rather built. In much like building a house tools are necessary (motivational quotes, techniques, etc.), materials as well (yourself) and you can learn how to build a house (or learn to be motivated). Yet, even with all the tools, materials and knowledge, one has to put the hands to use in order to build a house. There is no way around it, it requires effort and work. This is motivation.
Effort and work may be curse words to some but after everything fades that is what it takes to be motivated when alone. It simply is the desire to be better that overcomes laziness, doubt, fear, etc. We have the tools, we have the material, we even have some knowledge – the only thing stopping us from being motivated when we are alone is us. Let us put our hands to use and build that house of motivation. When we do that great things can and will be accomplished. And I am eager to see those things.
Attempt it. Chance it. Try it. Get to It!