An Olympic Lesson in Motivation
by Jason Gracia
The saying goes: The expert in anything was once a beginner
in everything. Truer words were never spoken.
But this isn't what we see. This isn't what we feel when we
watch these Olympians. It isn't what we think when we watch
any expert or great success.
We see the finished product, shining brightly in designer
packaging. We see triumph and achievement, not training. We
see the riches, not the rags.
And this, as much as anything else, is why motivation - that
inner drive that carries us toward all we desire - continues
to escape us.
Today that comes to an end. Today I will open your eyes to a
new way of viewing the changes you wish to carry out and the
challenges that are attempting to stop you.
The Olympians we admire might possess unique physical talent
and natural gifts, but that inner fire that compels them
forward is within us all. It's time to set it free.
Authors Don't Write Books
Whether it's a a friend who lost forty pounds or a track
star streaking across the screen, our eyes can only see what
is in front of us.
And more often than not, that picture of success is
daunting.
It's overwhelming, to see ourselves reaching those heights.
No, it's more than that. It's unbelievable.
When we view success at its peak, we feel separated from it.
We see ourselves as incapable of doing something similar.
Take a book, for instance.
Seeing a novel on a shelf leads to the same conclusion in
the minds of anyone posed with the question: 'Oh, I could
never write a book.'
This view is all wrong. The reason? Authors don't write
books.
What Do Authors Write?
Authors don't write books; authors write words.
This is one of the most important ideas to understand. I
know it sounds simple, but it separates those who progress
from those who wish and wait.
We've already said that most see the finished product and
feel overwhelmed by the prospect of achieving the same goal.
If this only occurred when watching an Olympic athlete, there
would be little issue. But that's not how it works. We get
that same sense of inability when viewing any worthwhile
achievement.
Losing weight, finding a new career, starting a business or
new relationship, overcoming personal debt - these are
outcomes millions wish to pursue but don't believe they can
achieve.
They can't see past the finished product.
To get motivated, to truly ignite your drive, you must see
your goals as achievable. You must believe in yourself and
your abilities. You must see success, not as a matter of
unattainable greatness, but merely as a matter of time.
Losing weight begins with a single decision. Finding the job
you love begins with a single Google search. And starting a
new relationship begins with a single look.
The world is built upon blocks, not one massive stone.
One step, one movement, one decision, one action. These are
the things that feed success. These are things that you can
do today.
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