OCTOBER 16, 2020
“People inspire me. It is up to me to get motivated” Deep inside me and like many of you, I have always been motivated to succeed. Of course, one must define for themselves their meaning of success and their motivational level. (Make sure your ladder is parked on the right castle before you start) I know way too many people that get too comfortable by being “Lazy” in life. They feel they have “made it” or are now the victim and feel a sense of entitlement. Most of us feel we NEED to make more money or measure ourselves against others and the world. STOP IT! Many of you have heard our old saying here at UNICO called PROFUNMON. Be Professional, Have Fun, and the Money will follow. In other words, you will get what you earn if you are professional in your career along with having fun and loving what you do. Not having any fun? Go find something that you love. Something that they might even pay you to do.
My definition of success has changed over time since “I am in the fourth quarter of my life and the clock is ticking.” Sounds scary to some but I look forward to the end of my life. (Still have 20 good years left) God willing, I know there is more for me left to do on this earth and I plan to live it with gusto. I will do it in a joyous manner because I know who and what is waiting for me in my next life. Something many of us refuse to think about at any age. (it’s never too late) Quit reflecting on “What could have been.” It is in the past so you need to move on and forgive yourself and others so it doesn’t end up being your cause of this earthly death. (Regret, Hate, Envy, Jealousy, and Worry)
When I was growing up in Kearney, Nebraska, I was INSPIRED by many. I enjoyed learning new things from my Dad, my brothers, my friends, and those fictional characters on the TV. (Didn’t we all want to be the hero and not the villain?) Those army guys that had a tough job of defeating an enemy. Those law enforcement officers who were fighting crime and trying to protect our freedoms and way of life. This all tended to MOTIVATE me to be bigger and better in my chosen field. Early on it was athletics, school (Not great at this one), building relationships, and striving to be a good person. (Wow! Missed a few shots in this area as well) Later in life, it was influencing others to help me in our agency. Now that I am retired, I choose to INSPIRE others as I am running out of energy to MOTIVATE. I have found that energy is important so make sure you take care of yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. With this balance in life, you will be able to navigate your journey much better. Make sure that you take others that you love along with you because it is tough to do it alone.
Today, I look for those creative spirits inside each one of us and try to influence them to be the best versions of themselves. Many of those I work with don’t even know how good they are until they get that “ah-ha” moment. That is what I am looking for in people. Then, and only then, they might be motivated in a definite way to achieve a goal. Culturally we are motivated but not inspired. We live our lives by motivation and wonder why we are so unhappy. Motivation forces us to “Keep up with the Jones’s”, compete against them, and measure ourselves to others. I suggest you identify your own vision for your life and not worry so much about what others do and think. They have their own problems. You just might make yourself a happier person. In life, there is ALWAYS someone bigger, faster, tougher, and better looking than you. AND, you end up getting older (and not wiser) so you worry even more how you look or worry about whether you bring value to others or not. Yet, motivation can be good because it does compel us to push forward. Pushing us to act, to do something that impacts others, to give, to challenge, to succeed.
Find someone (or a higher power) that inspires you. Don’t just sit around and admire them. Get into action to “Know WHO you are” in seeking wisdom, self-mastery, courage, and love. You will be the winner in the end.
Elevator Guy