"Motivation" Defined

A common question people want to know is why they lose their motivation so fast. Motivation is crucial to staying on track in any life journey. Other people, distractions, unspecific goals, reluctance to ask for help, and a lack of faith are five areas that may take us off track, but it is an absolute must that we press forward like a train. You must be able to cultivate a bit of selfishness in order to stay on track. There are thousands of attractive temptations that can take your mind off your goals. I love the "Rocky" story. Now I'm not talking about the movie itself, I'm talking about the story of how the movie came to be. When Sylvester Stallone wrote "Rocky," he had $100 in his back account. But to him, he wasn't concerned with money or fame or accolades. He was offered thousands of dollars for the script but refused it, because this was his passion, his baby—and if he didn't play the role of "Rocky," he refused to sell out. That takes guts and that takes focus. He stuck to his guns and kept his eye on the big picture, and he's still around 30 years later making $20 million a movie. See you can't just focus on the money in life—yes we all want to make a good living—but if you work hard everyday, keep that inner motivation, focus and personal passion, you will succeed and all of that other stuff will come. If you are not clear on what you want, when you want it, how you want it, and how you will get it, it's not a real goal, just a fantasy. Map out a game plan and follow it. If you want to lose 20 pounds, make a specific weekly goal and a specific daily goal. This applies to everything in life. The most successful people in every part of life are at the top because they can get other people interested in helping them. How do we get other people interested in us? To bring up Derek Jeter, the captain of the New York Yankees, or any captain for that matter, how can you get people to follow you? Well, you first have to follow and then you lead by example. You have to have a "no fear" attitude and always keep your eye on the prize and that desire to be the best. Confidence in yourself, in others, and in the situation are critical. And finally, shrink the size of problems and represent them in your mind as nothing bigger than a speck. Let things roll off of you. Don't let something small—or large dictate how you behave. Have control over your own destiny by having a level head at all times and staying positive. At the same time, follow the serenity prayer and have the strength to not stress and worry about the things in life that you cannot change. One of my favorite credos in life, and one that I always live by is: "If you don't laugh, you'll cry." When you break down any situation in your professional or personal life, it all comes down to that. Have the desire to be sure of your abilities and block out distractions. Stay motivated and you can't lose. That's the heart of a champion. When most of us think of great champions, our thoughts turn to sports figures that have excelled in their respective endeavors. These individuals typically own many trophies, awards, and rings which indicate their many accomplishments. Talent, discipline, and focus (all of which are notable virtues) to a large degree determined their success. I totally agree that the aforementioned merely produce winners but not necessarily champions. Champions are all winners but all winners are not champions. Champions are individuals who encompass many virtues beyond winning. In my day-to-day life, I often make analogies and parallels to sports, baseball in particular. You must always implement high ethics and moral character—traits that rub off onto others and turn the learners into teachers, and therefore the winners into champions. Champions are students of their beliefs and read constantly, improving their knowledge and their wisdom. They practice their craft because unlike those who stop working and therefore, stop learning—will not be able to be the best and will not be able to help make others THE BEST…the best person on the inside and the best person in every endeavor, task and challenge that you encounter in life—both personally and professionally. Winners are known by the awards they have received. Champions are known by what they have given to others and the people they have grown. Winners win and fade over time. Champions' contributions just continue and grow over a lifetime. We all know winners and we all know champions. We will remember a champion for a lifetime. Derek Jeter had all the talent in the world from the day he stepped onto a Major League Baseball diamond. He became the Rookie of the Year his first season. He had all the discipline and focus to become even better, turning into a multiple all-star, and of course, he's won 4 World Series rings. But he is much more than just a winner. He is a champion as well. He formed his "Turn 2 Foundation," which sole purpose is to motivate kids and teach them leadership development skills, and in 2003 he became the 11th team captain in Yankees history. Leading, teaching, and constantly working harder to make yourself and others around you better is what he does, and what I try to do everyday. That's a true champion. It comes back to the ego and confidence factor—those who are obsessed with making just themselves successful may indeed be successful and be winners, but those with the confidence and pride in themselves to help others also succeed define that true champion. Jeter encompasses these traits—because he knows that by doing the best he can do at all times, he transfers that mentality outwardly onto his teammates. That's why he is such a great captain. Who do you emulate? Who or what do you turn to for inspiration, motivation and guidance? How many champions have touched your life?