Motivation

I love the feeling of motivation. It’s an odd little emotion that can be very elusive at times if you’re not careful. It’s that point where you set a goal, no matter how small or large. You focus on that goal and envision the path to accomplish it; Motivation is that feeling that makes you take that first step towards your goal.

Motivation comes from all types of sources. It can come from a television show. It can come from a failure of some sort or it can even come from a big accomplishment. It can simply be an outlet for passion; a gift that should not be taken for granted.

For some a drunken night that landed themselves in the pokey might be the catalyst to get your shit together. Maybe you’re competitive and your brother is going Pre-Law so you up your game and go Pre-Med. Maybe a loved one got sick and motivated you to live healthier. Maybe you’re tired of monotony. One that I’ve seen be a good motivator is finding out you’re going to have a baby. I’ve seen fuck ups transform to great people and parents in a span of nine months.

Motivation.

The downside to it is that it can be a slippery son of a bitch.

The trick of keeping yourself motivated is being conscious of your progress in life. Are you making progress or are you content with going through the motions? Go to college, get your degree, go get a job and get promotions… Yeah, that’s the cookie cutter path that we’re told to live. Apparently I’m living it. But for some reason there’s a feeling inside me that I can’t shake. I love my job, but I’m almost positive I’m not meant to spend my life in a cubicle working with suppliers in Asia for customers in Europe. My progress in life can be moving much faster. My life has been spent looking at things with a different perspective. And as egocentric as it may sound, that perspective needs to be seen. So fuck it… I’m motivated.

Last year I took a workshop with hometown comedian Kyle Cease and comedian legend Louie Anderson. It was a workshop about being a stand up comedian. I’ve always thought I’d like telling jokes for a living and it just so happened that I considered Kyle Cease one of the smartest and most witty comics out there so I was intrigued to peep it. And at the end of the day, I’m not sure I can juggle the commitment that it takes to be a stand up and provide for my family. I can however use every single thing he taught and apply it to my writing.

So this is sort of a declaration. I started a book about three years ago. Somewhat of a sci-fi book akin to things like The Hunger Games and the many Graphic Novels that litter my book shelves. I sunk about one year into it and got through the first act no problem, but we bought a house, we got married and we’ve been playing Mr. and Mrs. Homeowner. Well now I want to pay this house off.

So starting right now I’m dedicated to writing at least 20 pages a month. I’ve even begun laying out an outline for a new book. I’m also dedicated to writing at least one blog every other week. It’s not hard, it’s very doable; I just have to do it. Motivation… I got your ass.

Listen folks- motivation is one of the most useful tools one can possess. You set some goals for yourself, no matter how small or large, lay out a path to achieving that goal and use your will power to take that first step toward your goal…. I promise you will benefit. And when all is said and done the feeling of accomplishment cannot be matched.