Aspire To Inspire: How To Become Your Own Best Motivator
Words by Katherine C. Eustaquio
Published in Total Fitness Magazine 2012 issue
I’ve heard of Rhonda Byrne’s “The Secret”, many, many years ago. The book was released about the same time I was released from the four corners of my college university. Everyone was raving about it, telling just about anyone who has an ear just how great it is and how the “secret” has changed their lives for the better. While I’ve always been a firm believer of fate and destiny, I hated mainstream titles and refused to join “The Secret” bandwagon.
It was only last year when I decided to download The Secret audio book, thinking it could help motivate me during the time in my life when I was facing too many crossroads in Bonifacio Global City. I finished the audio book in one sitting, literally, and when I stood up, I felt totally different and the world started to feel more alive. Moreover, when I decided to test its claim on small things like getting a decent cab during the rush hour, it actually worked! It works every time! I never thought that it only takes one single thought to actually get that job I’ve always wanted in a city I’ve always loved. And if that knowledge works on small victories like this one, just imagine how much more you can conquer.
Fair-weather friends, scrutinizing relatives, gossipmongers, problem employees questioning your authority to lead…if you find yourself running in the same scrutinizing circles like I do, sometimes, it takes more than just willpower to keep your motivation level up. Sometimes, the mere act of motivating oneself eats up most of your energy that you’ll feel more rundown than usual. Remember what Oprah said, each person is responsible for his own life, circumstances, decisions, and motivation. Each person is responsible for his own happiness, thus, it’s only you who can push your motivation to great heights. Here are a few suggestions and lessons personally learned:
Stop pleasing everybody.
An absolute cliché that’s also an absolute truth. It is human nature to feel wanted, to belong to a certain group. Despite your Oprah-worthy attempts, you’ll find that not everyone will like you for who you really are. Once you accept the simple fact that you can’t please everybody, only then you can start really being yourself.
Burn bridges.
It’s hard to get from one place to another if the bridge is always on the verge of collapse. As you go through life, you’ll realize that there are friendships not worth holding onto. Burn the bridge and may the light from the fire guide your way.
Set goals.
Why are athletes easily motivated? Because their “goals” are always visible. Write down the things you want to buy, the places you want to visit, and the goals you want to achieve on a piece of paper and paste it on your vanity mirror. The more you keep your eyes on the prize, the more you’ll find ways on how to achieve it.
Use the Law of Attraction (LOA)
"Thoughts are sending out that magnetic signal that is drawing the parallel back to you" - Joe Vitale, The Secret. Live in faith that the world is on your side. The more a person thinks that nothing good happens to him, the more he attracts the negative vibes of the universe. If you’re skeptical, try using LOA on small things. Once you’re past skepticism, use LOA to your advantage.
Never leave home without your attitude
Most companies are seeing the benefits of hiring people with the right attitude rather than the right skills. Why? Skills are easily taught. Attitude, you’re born with. Attitude is like a good foundation base. It covers up your imperfections. It’s the face you show the world. Not everyone has to see your flaws, your insecurities, or the strings of mishaps you’ve had in your past. Attitude dresses you up from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. Once you learned how to work that attitude to your advantage, getting motivated becomes as natural as breathing.
Got the Monday blues? Suit up / Dress up!
Someone dear to me dresses up to the nines at the start of the working week. There’s something about power dressing that enables people to perform better. Whenever I feel burned out at work, my weapon of choice is either that proverbial red lipstick or my tube of black mascara and then poof, I feel motivated again. Barney Stinson? True story.
As you go through life, you’ll find more personal ways on how to keep your motivation level stable. The ones I mentioned above have proven their worth. Motivation actually comes from the simplest things and it starts in your mind. Harness its power and you’ll be amazed at how far you can go.
Published in Total Fitness Magazine 2012 issue
"I believe that you're great, that there's something magnificent about you. Regardless of what has happened to you in your life, regardless of how young or how old you think you might be, the moment you begin to think properly, this something that is within you, this power within you that's greater than the world, it will begin to emerge. It will take over your life. It will feed you, it will clothe you, it will guide you, protect you, direct you, sustain your very existence. If you let it! Now that is what I know, for sure"
- Michael Beckwith. The Secret
I’ve heard of Rhonda Byrne’s “The Secret”, many, many years ago. The book was released about the same time I was released from the four corners of my college university. Everyone was raving about it, telling just about anyone who has an ear just how great it is and how the “secret” has changed their lives for the better. While I’ve always been a firm believer of fate and destiny, I hated mainstream titles and refused to join “The Secret” bandwagon.
It was only last year when I decided to download The Secret audio book, thinking it could help motivate me during the time in my life when I was facing too many crossroads in Bonifacio Global City. I finished the audio book in one sitting, literally, and when I stood up, I felt totally different and the world started to feel more alive. Moreover, when I decided to test its claim on small things like getting a decent cab during the rush hour, it actually worked! It works every time! I never thought that it only takes one single thought to actually get that job I’ve always wanted in a city I’ve always loved. And if that knowledge works on small victories like this one, just imagine how much more you can conquer.
Fair-weather friends, scrutinizing relatives, gossipmongers, problem employees questioning your authority to lead…if you find yourself running in the same scrutinizing circles like I do, sometimes, it takes more than just willpower to keep your motivation level up. Sometimes, the mere act of motivating oneself eats up most of your energy that you’ll feel more rundown than usual. Remember what Oprah said, each person is responsible for his own life, circumstances, decisions, and motivation. Each person is responsible for his own happiness, thus, it’s only you who can push your motivation to great heights. Here are a few suggestions and lessons personally learned:
Stop pleasing everybody.
An absolute cliché that’s also an absolute truth. It is human nature to feel wanted, to belong to a certain group. Despite your Oprah-worthy attempts, you’ll find that not everyone will like you for who you really are. Once you accept the simple fact that you can’t please everybody, only then you can start really being yourself.
Burn bridges.
It’s hard to get from one place to another if the bridge is always on the verge of collapse. As you go through life, you’ll realize that there are friendships not worth holding onto. Burn the bridge and may the light from the fire guide your way.
Set goals.
Why are athletes easily motivated? Because their “goals” are always visible. Write down the things you want to buy, the places you want to visit, and the goals you want to achieve on a piece of paper and paste it on your vanity mirror. The more you keep your eyes on the prize, the more you’ll find ways on how to achieve it.
Use the Law of Attraction (LOA)
"Thoughts are sending out that magnetic signal that is drawing the parallel back to you" - Joe Vitale, The Secret. Live in faith that the world is on your side. The more a person thinks that nothing good happens to him, the more he attracts the negative vibes of the universe. If you’re skeptical, try using LOA on small things. Once you’re past skepticism, use LOA to your advantage.
Never leave home without your attitude
Most companies are seeing the benefits of hiring people with the right attitude rather than the right skills. Why? Skills are easily taught. Attitude, you’re born with. Attitude is like a good foundation base. It covers up your imperfections. It’s the face you show the world. Not everyone has to see your flaws, your insecurities, or the strings of mishaps you’ve had in your past. Attitude dresses you up from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. Once you learned how to work that attitude to your advantage, getting motivated becomes as natural as breathing.
Got the Monday blues? Suit up / Dress up!
Someone dear to me dresses up to the nines at the start of the working week. There’s something about power dressing that enables people to perform better. Whenever I feel burned out at work, my weapon of choice is either that proverbial red lipstick or my tube of black mascara and then poof, I feel motivated again. Barney Stinson? True story.
As you go through life, you’ll find more personal ways on how to keep your motivation level stable. The ones I mentioned above have proven their worth. Motivation actually comes from the simplest things and it starts in your mind. Harness its power and you’ll be amazed at how far you can go.
"You want to become aware of your thoughts, you want to choose your thoughts carefully and you want to have fun with this, because you are the masterpiece of your own life. You are the Michelangelo of your own life. The David that you are sculpting is you. And you do it with your thoughts"
- Joe Vitale. The Secret
