Motivation is a SKILL, Not a Gift
Posted under: Gift
Something you’re born with. You either have it or you don’t. It was given to you by someone else, and there’s nothing you can do to GET it if you don’t already have it.
Skill
Something that takes practice and hard work. Something you can improve at if you prioritize it. Something that may come easier to some folks than others, but that is attainable to almost anyone who wants it badly enough to work at it.
Motivation
Motivation is a skill.
Like drawing, or writing, or swimming, or running, or ping-pong.
Many people treat motivation as if it were a gift. They believe they suck at it, so why bother trying to get better at it?
I think that’s untrue. Many people see me as a highly motivated individual, able to make goals and stick to them. I appreciate that view, but not in the same way that I appreciate people complimenting me on the color of my eyes.
I appreciate it because it’s been a lot of hard work to GET that motivation. To find that sticktuitiveness in myself and nurture it. I have stumbled, fallen, and failed over and over again. Like a weak muscle, I have exercised my motivation, even when it wasn’t fun. Even when it hurt, or it felt like I was wasting my time.
Life Skill
Furthermore, motivation is a LIFE skill. I used it when I lost weight. I use it when I work out. I use it when I write, when I blog, when I game, when I learn, and when I work.
Coffee Lady (a friend at work) and I chat a lot about motivation. We share the weight loss motivation, but where I struggle with being a writer, she struggles with being a Christian.
Apparently, being a Christian isn’t easy just because you go to church every week, who knew?
Writing isn’t easy just because you blog about it every week, either.
We’re finding a lot of crossover in the three topics. The strength we need to stay on our diet and exercise tracks is incredibly similar to the strength that I need to keep writing and she needs to trust God’s path for her.
Struggle
If you’re struggling with motivation, don’t give up! Would you tell someone who wanted to exercise that they shouldn’t even bother – look at all those weightlifters who are stronger than this person will probably ever be?
Or a child or loved one who wanted to learn how to draw – would you laugh at their attempts and scoff, telling them they may as well not even bother?
No?
Then why would you look at other motivated people, see what they can accomplish, and decide to toss in the towel before you even break a sweat?
You can do this! We all can.
Think of motivation like a muscle that you can use in all areas of your life. Exercise it! Grow stronger.
Great post, Tami. This is a skill that I’m still struggling with. Sometimes when things get hard it seems so easy to throw in the towel and give up, but it takes that sticktoittivness to power through and see yourself to the other side. Thanks for writing this today.
Excellent post, lady! I struggle with motivation all the time, even more so now that we have the baby. It’s so. easy. to just say, “Oh I couldn’t because of the baby.” And sometimes that’s true but sometimes it’s just an excuse.
I need to do better.
Wonderful new blog design, by the way.
Elmer rules.
@honorshammer
*hugs* Stay strong! It’s so easy to give up, especially when you peer down that familiar chasm and see a comfy couch, your favorite tv show, and a plate of muffins waiting for you.
@Tristina
Your problem is compounded by mommy guilt, too! That feeling of guilt that you’re not spending 100% of your time and attention on Olivia.
Bre actually had the best combat for that that I’ve heard, I think – she wanted to be a successful writer and run her race so that she could be an example for her son. Show him what can be accomplished and give him someone to look up to in his own home. =]
Thanks for the blog design comment! I’ll make a big post on it as soon as that header graphic is done, I think. =]
If you are putting “oh my crap, the cute” animals in your header graphic, can I make a request for Elmer?
You (via Bre) are right – I need to be more motivated and accomplished so I can be a good example for my daughter. *Hopefully* she’ll fall into a better nap schedule soon so I can get going on all the stuff I want to do/learn to do…. writing, sewing, gardening, etc.
@Tristina
You may make a request, but I have a very specific image in mind … you’ll see! I’ve got the colors picked already. <3
Good luck with the nap schedule!
Lovely post! I have been pondering similar things in the last few months, as I’ve been trying to work hard on my drawing. People compliment me for being creative and say how they wish they could draw as well as I could (even though I have a long way to improve!)… and I wish I could explain that I wasn’t born with it, I’ve had to work really hard (and I am still working).
Interesting that you mention weight loss too… I often get comments along the lines of, “oh, you’re so lucky, you don’t have to worry about your weight!”. I am naturally fairly slim, but, on the flip side, I am always hyper-aware of what I eat and dedicate myself to one or two nights of sport a week. And it’s not always easy, I would always much prefer to have an evening off.
I think it’s easier to give up that way, sadly – “it is out of my league, I can’t change”. But I agree with your message – don’t give up! :)
*laugh* Whenever someone comes up to me and says “wow, you can draw? I wish I could draw” I always take it at face value. “I wish I could draw” means “I wish I could, without any effort or practice or learning on my part, magically be able to draw.”
I commiserate with that. I wish I could draw, too! And write, and stay thin, and cook, and play music, and dance, and be wealthy ….
My magical sixteenth birthday passed without so much as ONE fairy godmother appearing to grant my wishes, as did my 21st. Looks like I’m all out of magical fairy tale birthdays and I’m gonna have to be my OWN fairy godmother. =]
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