Motivation. Some say it’s the key to success, but many people can’t motivate themselves, much less anyone else. I am by no means a motivational speaker, but I blog about this today because of my motivation … or lack thereof. As a writer, I have to be motivated. If I’m not, the story that’s playing in my head, tormenting me to be put onto paper, (or in this day and age, digitally recorded) will never be told.
It’s not enough to say I’m motivated; I’m inspired to write something. The desire has to be there as well. Every time I think of my WIP I feel inspired. I see the story playing out in my mind, but when I sit down with my laptop, all that inspiration gets stuck between my fingers and the keyboard. That perfect scene between my characters, the one that has my heart jumping, excitement coursing through my veins, their voices ringing loudly in my mind, I can’t wait to put every vivid detail onto paper. Sadly, if the desire to be motivated doesn’t hit me, I put the story on hold, letting the scene become a vague memory, an opportunity lost. I often blame it on distractions, I have plenty, but I should be blaming myself. I have to practice better self-control. I have to make goals for myself and stick to those goals.
I know there are little-big things that come up, preventing us from following our intended path. I’m a mother of four and I’m currently homeschooling them. If anyone understands the little-big things, it’s me, but you have to jump back in at some point. You have to keep writing, editing, revising, formatting, marketing, whatever it is your working on.
So what motivates us? Family? Business? Passion? Love? Coffee? The list could be endless, or one simple thing. For me, it’s hearing that other people struggle, just as I do. It reminds me that I’m human. I’m going to make mistakes. I’m going to fall flat on my face. But I’m going to pick myself up and do it again.
Many of us try to be superheroes. We think we can do it all, and while I’m sure there are people who can do it all, for most of us it’s not reality. You have to have support. Whether it’s family, friends, or a network of people who have been through the same thing you have, you need support to get through anything in life.
Most of us don’t want to be the odd ball. We want to know we’re accepted and understood. We want to know others are feeling what we feel, to know others have felt the same discouragement, or lack of motivation, but have made it through the storm. Though the road may not have been easy, they survived, they succeeded, they did it. Those thoughts and those people are what motivates me.
Whatever motivates you, you need to recognize it. Draw on its energy. Take that energy into your mind and heart, and then go do what needs to be done. No one is going to do it for you. You have to have the will to succeed, the desire to be motivated, and most importantly, the strength to make it all happen.
Very wise words. Struggling with capitalizing on my own motivations is something that has plagued me in the past too many times. I think you eloquently captured the key importance of recognizing and harnessing whatever our motivations might be, no matter the challenges life tosses at us if we want to move forward at all.
You captured my thoughts completely. Motivation is what comes between me and writing on a daily basis. It seems that the stars have to be aligned perfectly in order for me to sit down and be productive!
Thanks for highlighting this topic and hopefully helping all of us tune in a little better to what motivates us to get writing!
You captured my thoughts completely. Motivation is what comes between me and writing on a daily basis. It seems that the stars have to be aligned perfectly in order for me to sit down and be productive!
Thanks for highlighting this topic and hopefully helping all of us tune in a little better to what motivates us to get writing!