The only way you can even have a chance to be motivated over time is to be inspired by something.
Inspiration begets Motivation begets Action.
So this week, we're going to ask you some simple, but important and powerful, questions to get at the essence of what inspires you.
Here are some categories that most people say are of interest to them, at least to some extent. No one is interested to the same degree in all of them; some will have more weight than others. Anyway, here's the list (no particular order):
- Spiritual / Religious / Ethical
- Health / Fitness / Vitality / Well-Being
- Family / Home
- Social / Friends / Community
- Artistic / Creative / Cultural
- Work / Career
- Hobbies / Vacation / Fun / Sports
- Emotional / Mental / Self-Development / Learning
- Financial / "Toys" / Status / Recognition
Which one of these, if you had to pick one, inspires you, lights you up, turns you on the most?
Do you have one? Good. Now, take that and answer three questions. (You should have multiple answers here. In fact, the more you have, the better!)
The category I chose is ______________________________________________.
1. What is important to me inside this category? ____________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. Why is that important to me? _________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3. On a scale of 1 to 10, rate the Strength of Desire. _______
We recommend you find at least five reasons why this category is so important to you. This should be a freeing, enlivening exercise. If it isn't, perhaps another category might be more important to you.
Example
Category: Fun
1. What's Important: Summer vacations with my family at the beach.
Why that's Important: Gives us all a chance to be together and to enjoy ourselves.
Strength of Desire: 10
2. What's Important: Playing drums in my neighborhood band.
Why that's Important: Allows me to let myself go and express myself.
Strength of Desire: 8
-Etc.
One note: you may find that what's important could belong to more than one category. That's totally fine. The category is the most important thing in this exercise.
Also, please remember that there's no right/wrong category. People often value family and God high up on their list of priorities, but this is a different question. You can be a deeply religious person who's very dedicated to your family, but what REALLY gets you excited is landing a 10-pound largemouth bass.
Think of some things you could do that would make life fun and adventurous - something you may or may not be doing right now.
For example, if you like bass fishing, perhaps you'd like to catch a bass in every state of the union!
What's important to Dan is being "outside the box." Most people live "inside the box." It's just too crowded there, and there's not much room for new paradigms. (SELF-DEVELOPMENT)
What's important to Chris is owning a rather modest house with a HUGE kitchen - because he shows his love for his family by cooking for them. (FAMILY)
Have a great week!
Dan Kusner
Chris Rasmussen
Next week, now that you know what inspires you, what now?
THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: It's a good idea to share what you're inspired about with your spouse, friends, or co-workers. Clip out pictures of magazines and make them into a vision board, if you want.
Please take a minute and let me know how you're doing out there. How have these tips been helping you?
