“It’s the fear of the unknown that places imaginary limits on our potential, and it is only ourselves keeping us from going to the next level."
— JSP
Taking ourselves to the next level requires determination, persistence, and intentional self-talk, which helps us manage our emotions. Reality-based and purpose-driven self-motivation has been shown to improve our self-esteem and stress management.
Motivation drives your desire to reach specific objectives
The best prioritized to-do list has little chance of completion without the motivation to follow through.
Motivation is the driving power behind our behavior. I have written about a motivational mindset in the past.
Motivation is always within our reach and under our control
Motivation is a driving force behind all we think, say, and do
Motivation powers our drive for a life well lived, making a significant positive impact on the world around us
Motivation sustained creates waves of momentum
Motivation powers us to achieve significant objectives and a relentless pursuit of reaching within for tremendous potential. The only limitation on our motivation is self-imposed.
Discovering and utilizing the increasing levels of potential within us shifts our self-perception, enabling us to make more and better-informed decisions.
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale says, “Change your thoughts, and you change your world.” Motivation does change our thoughts, which directs our decisions which leads to change.
Motivation Raises Your Standards
“Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.”
— Roy T. Bennett
Motivation is more than a feeling; the released dopamine is a powerful transmitter driving our choices and activities.
According to an article in Cleveland Clinic,
“Dopamine is a neurotransmitter made in your brain. It plays a role as a “reward center” and in many body functions, including memory, movement, motivation, mood, attention, and more.
Dopamine is a type of monoamine neurotransmitter. It’s made in your brain and acts as a chemical messenger, communicating messages between nerve cells in your brain and the rest of your body.
Dopamine is known as the “feel-good” hormone. It gives you a sense of pleasure. It also gives you the motivation to do something when you’re feeling pleasure… Dopamine is part of your reward system.” (1)
Revisiting Our Self-Talk
Do you believe in yourself? Do you believe you’re valuable? Motivation will be your best friend if you believe you’re worth more because of what’s in you.
Speaker/Author Ed Mylett remarks, ”Ask the big question, what do you believe you are worth? What you believe about yourself governs everything in your life. Beliefs become a self-fulfilling prophecy. We must be extremely aware of them and guard them at all costs… Change just 10% of your thoughts, and you can dramatically change your life! That is powerful, and it is under your control. (2)
In Closing,
Self-motivation is, without a doubt, more valuable than being motivated by external stimuli. Good leaders know how to motivate themselves. If you’ll live out your purpose on the next level, why not stay motivated and be passionate about it?
End Notes
(1) Dopamine Cleveland Clinic https://cle.clinic/3pNv20A
(2) #MAXOUT YOUR LIFE by Ed Mylett pg. 25
*** This article was authored by John Picarello, Chief Leadership Officer at Lions Pride Leadership Co. ***