Last time, in Struggling with Self-Motivation:  Why Most Days I’d Rather Sit on My…,we talked about the battle that goes on in our minds between two competing desires:

1. The desire to be productive
2. The desire to be lazy

I don’t know about you, but I find it incredibly easier to do things, even hard things, when I feel like it and have the self motivation to do so.

The problem is that, sometimes, I just don’t feel like doing the things I know I need to do.  There’s no emotion, passion or drive to do them, so they don’t get done.

I’ve observed that something interesting happens if I make myself do what I ought to do, even though I don’t feel like it.  I start to feel like it.

Eugene H. Peterson, in A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, said,

“We can act ourselves into a new way of feeling much quicker than we can feel ourselves into a new way of action.”

In other words, if you wait until you feel like doing it…you’re going to be waiting a long time.  But if you take that first step and start doing what you know you need to do, you’ll begin to feel the passion and the energy that comes from taking action.  You can fake it until you feel it.

I think this principle can be applied to just about every aspect of our lives:

• You can love someone even if you don’t feel like loving them right now.
• You can do something hard, challenging, or difficult even if you don’t feel like doing it.
• You can take a step toward your dreams, even if you gave up long ago.

What do you think?  Are there any instances where this would not be true?

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Why is it that some days, I have a strong desire to work hard and get stuff done, while other days I’d rather slack off, and put off work until another time?

Two desires seem to continually battle it out in my mind:  the desire to be industrious and productive…and the desire to be slothful or lazy.

My 13-year old son and I talked about this recently, as we’re continuing to read through Bob Schultz’s book, Boyhood and Beyond, one chapter each week.

About this battle, Schultz says:

“Inside every man is the desire to accomplish great works.  Inside every man is the desire to lie around and do nothing.  Every day, both of these desires will draw you.  The desire you follow will determine the man you become.”

I’m probably the only one who struggles with self motivation, and staying in the zone of maximum productivity…but just in case anyone else out there does too, here are some things I’ve observed and learned:

1. Each and every day, we have a choice.  We can choose to live with purpose and intentionality, or we can just fritter our day away.
2. Our thoughts and beliefs shape our actions, and our actions shape the person we become. So, are we thinking the right thoughts and doing the right things to help us become the person we want to be?
3. We can motivate ourselves to do what we know we need to do, even if we don’t feel like it.  How?  Just do it.  Take that first step.  Most times, I’ve found that something almost miraculous happens when I “just do it.” The thing I didn’t feel like doing suddenly starts feels good to do.  And then I start to feel a sense of accomplishment, and the desire to do even more.

What about you?  What helps you stay motivated?  Please share your thoughts and ideas!

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Every Monday I send out a bonus, via email, called “Your Monday Motivator.” In it, I feature a few inspirational quotes on a particular topic related to life change, along with my personal thoughts and take-aways on the subject.

I do it because I believe everyone could use a little extra inspiration in their lives – especially on Mondays!

If you’re not a subscriber, I thought I’d give you a taste of what you missed today.  You can sign up via the “Subscribe to the Life Compass Newsletter” subscription box to the right.

Here’s your Monday Motivator for today.  I call this one, “The Miracle of the First Step.” Check out these quotes:

• “Whatever you’re ready for is ready for you.” – Mark Victor Hansen
• “When the student is ready, the Master will appear. – Buddhist proverb
• “Act boldly and unseen forces will come to your aid.” – Dorothea Brande

These quotes tell us that something mysterious and magical happens when we’re ready for action and take that first step.

Have you ever experienced that in your own life?  I have!  It’s amazing how something that once felt so daunting actually wasn’t, once I took the first step.

Or how help arrived at just the time I needed it.  Or how things seemed to line up once I set a goal, determined a course of action, and started moving forward.

I can’t explain how it works, but I do know from personal experience that more things “move” for me when I’m moving, than when I’m not.

If you’ve been contemplating taking a big step or making some major change in your life, don’t wait for the “perfect” time.  There probably isn’t one.

Decide now that you’re going to take action – that you’re going to take that first or next step that you know you need to do.  Do it, and see if the “Miracle of the First Step” holds true for you, too.

Here’s a great book I discovered a few years ago that develops this concept in greater detail:  Action! Nothing Happens Until Something Moves by Robert Ringer.  In it, Ringer explains (in a somewhat humorous style) how action produces the genius, magic and power needed to transform your aspirations and goals into reality.

Ringer believes that ideas are important, preparation is invaluable, and knowledge and wisdom are essential…but they’re all useless without action, because action is the starting point of all progress.

Take Action!  Get your copy of Action! today.

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Do you want to broaden your knowledge base in order to keep growing in your job or to even get a new one?  Or do you want to learn a new skill for a hobby or to start a part-time business?

One way to do this is to go back to school and get a formal education in the topic.  You’ll get a degree or certificate (if that is important to you), but there is often a large time and money commitment to doing this.

If you don’t care about the degree, there are several free (or low-cost) and easy ways to become an expert on any topic:

1. Read one book on the topic each month.  If you like to underline and mark-up books, you can buy them and build your own personal library on the topic.  Or if you’re looking for a free option, just borrow the books from your public library.
2. Study the topic for half an hour a day.  You can probably find the information you need online for free.
3. Listen to podcasts on the topic each week.  There’s a podcast for just about any topic and most of them are free.  You can listen during transit (bike, car, bus, train, plane), while exercising, or just about anywhere.
4. Get hands-on training by volunteering.  Unless you want to become a surgeon, there’s probably a way you can learn a new skill by volunteering with a local charity.  For example, if you want to learn home building and improvement skills, you can volunteer with a home-building charity like Habitat for Humanity.

A few hours a week, over a few months, will add up quickly and you’ll soon gain the skills and information you need to be successful in that field.

Do you have any other ideas of ways to become an expert?  Please share your thoughts.

We live in such an information-rich culture today.  We have access to unprecedented amounts of news and information – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, through TV, the Internet, books, magazines, newspapers, etc.

Despite this, I’ve heard it said that there is a growing Information Divide between those who have ready access to information and those who do not.

I think I understand the point, but I’d like to suggest an even greater problem in our world.  It’s what I call the Application Divide.

Here’s my point:  If just having access to the right information was key to a person’s success in life, then librarians would be among the most successful, and probably richest, people on earth, wouldn’t they?  But they’re not.

Why not?  Because it is not enough to know the right information.   You have to know what to do with the information…and then do it.  That’s application!

A few months ago I realized I had a lot of information in a particular subject, but was doing nothing with that information.  I wasn’t applying it at all, and so the information made no difference in my life – or anyone else’s.

So I made time to brainstorm possible actions I could take, and the outcomes they would produce.  Then I picked one course of action, made a plan, and am taking steps to do something with that information.

What about you?  Are you sitting on information that, if you applied it, could make a difference in your life or someone else’s?  If so, why not take some action today?  Let me know how it goes…or how I can help.

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How many times have you said, “I’ll do it when I get around to it.”  Yeah, me too – dozens or hundreds of times.

Back in 1993 or 1994, I met a man named Yank who considered it his personal mission to hand out Round Tuits like the one pictured above, and to encourage people to do all the things they said they’d do whenever they “got around to it.”  I don’t know what happened to the one he gave me, but the memory has always stuck with me…even though the attitude comes and goes.

For example, this weekend I finally got around to mounting a broomstick holder in a utility area of our home.  I bought it several months ago, put it aside, and said I’d mount it when I…you guessed it…got around to it.

Well, I finally decided that Saturday was the day to do it.  I think it took all of five minutes. But I first had to get the drill, hammer, screw driver, drill bits, level, etc.  Once the project was done, I felt a huge sense of relief that something was now off my list.  And I asked myself, “Why did I wait so long to do that?”

What’s on your “Round Tuit” list?  Are there a few things, at work or at home, that you haven’t gotten around to yet, but if you did, would give you such a big sense of relief, or would make a difference in your home or work life?  If so, why not take a half hour or an hour today and make it happen?

Consider today the day you got a “Round Tuit.”

Last Thursday, my family decided we should take advantage of the great weather by going camping for the Labor Day Weekend (in the U.S.). With that one last-minute decision, we all moved into “rush mode” in order to get ready to go.

First, I had to find and book a campsite, which was a challenge at the last minute on a popular holiday weekend. Next, my wife and kids figured out the food menu and decided what supplies and equipment we wanted to bring.

Once the campsite was booked, I scrambled to complete a few work-related projects that HAD to be done before we left.

Have you ever noticed how much work you can get done when you are given a new and unexpected deadline and you HAVE to get it done in a short time frame?

Why is it so?  I think one reason is that, when these situations arise, we give the task or project laser-like focus.  We drop most everything else and channel all our energy and resources to getting the job done. We immediately decide what things can be delegated to others, what can be postponed, and what needs our direct and immediate attention.

I think it was Brian Tracy, or maybe Zig Ziglar, who first turned me on to the idea of putting this power to work intentionally every once in a while (maybe monthly).

They said to pretend you’ve been given a week-long all-expense paid trip somewhere in the world…and the trip leaves in 48 hours.  Figure out all the things you need to have done before you can go…and get them done today.  In no time, you’ll have those tasks completed, and you’ll feel a huge sense of accomplishment for what you were able to get done.

Has anyone else given this a try?  Let me know how it went.

Or if you’re feeling stuck in a rut and not accomplishing what you’d hope to do on some of your goals or life areas, give this a try and let me know how it works for you.

In my last post, we discussed four reasons why people allow fear to guide their lives.

1. They feel powerless
2. They feel like they’re not worthy of success
3. The cost of change seems higher than the cost of staying the same
4. There will never be a good time to do it.

If you’ve just joined us, you can read the entire post here:

Stop Allowing Fear To Guide Your Life Pt. 1.

Today, as promised, I’ll share…

Four Ways to End Fear’s Grip on Your Life.

1.  Have faith. In yourself and in your ability to change your circumstances.  You can do it!

2.  Take action! Decide today that you’re going to take control and create the life and lifestyle you want.

3.  Make a plan. Determine where you want to be in a year or two.  Then identify a few simple steps you can take today to bring about the desired change.  Then decide what’s next.  Then decide what’s next.  Then decide what’s next.  You get the idea.  The accomplishment of a huge goal happens in a series of small, simple steps.

4.  Build a team. One of the biggest reasons people give in to fear is that there’s no one else on their side to encourage them.  Find a mentor who has “been there” before and can help and encourage you in this process.  Or develop a mastermind group with others who have decided that they too need to bring needed change in their lives.

Need more ideas?  Have questions?  Feel free to contact me here.  Your message goes right into my personal email inbox.