I'm not a fan of motivation, especially when it’s generic, bogus, or without depth. However, I've been trying to upskill for the past few weeks and testing a few things to see what works for me; it's been quite hectic, busy, and challenging.
One thing I do when I feel extremely tired is step back and remind myself why I need to do what I want to do that motivation is enough to keep me going. I've been trying several things, hoping they work out; they haven't exactly gone the way I wanted yet, but I want to keep going.
I enjoy learning from those who have failed and those who have succeeded
Many people think failure is a waste product that shouldn't be reckoned with, but instead, I see it as a byproduct of effort that simply hasn't yielded positive results yet.
I’ve never liked giving up, but I also don't like listening to baseless, unwarranted motivational speeches. I prefer being my own source of motivation, followed by real-life stories of resilience and hard work that I can actually relate to.
"Keep putting in the work" is a generic statement that might not motivate everyone, but it is a simple phrase that encourages continuity, consistency, and resilience.
It can mean many things, but it resonates differently with everyone. It isn’t unrealistic or something out of a movie; it’s a statement that promotes hard work and hope, making it applicable to daily life.
It can mean something to someone fighting cancer or a chronic genetic condition.
It can mean something to someone who has failed several interviews no matter how well they prepared. It’s the same for someone trying to make ends meet who has already tried everything they can.
Relatability
Almost everyone has failed at some point, but not everyone has succeeded yet. Most people can relate to failure, so when you tell them to keep pushing, it’s a simple word of encouragement left to their own interpretation.
The beauty of the human mind.
When we preach consistency, people understand they shouldn't just repeat the same mistakes and expect different results; they know they need to apply different kinds of effort to achieve a positive outcome.
What to do how to do it
This is why we don't need to motivate people with "bogus" stories.
There is no need to tell someone how you bought your first car at 18 without telling them exactly what you did to afford it.
Without the "how," you are just pressuring them rather than motivating them. This type of misguided motivation is all over social media; people farming engagement and using clickbait to suggest there are easy ways to make money.
While there are realistic ways to make money, those methods usually come from discovery through countless hours of research or through opportunities that are heavily gated and not open to the general public.
I prefer someone telling me the harsh truth about money over someone showing me lies. In reality, the truth may seem harsh, but life's truth is often the most bitter thing you'll experience.
So, this is me telling you: keep putting in the work, the research, and the effort. Keep showing up. Just like you, I've made mistakes and I'm trying hard to correct them. They haven't all worked out yet, but I'll keep trying anyway.