DRIFTING IN AND OUT

photo taken by me in San Francisco 2012.  Bring your life to clarity, not "drifting in and out"

I was talking to my mom on the phone the other day and was caught trying to convince myself why going back to school, after eight years of college, was a good idea. "You could have been a doctor by now." she said.  I continued to explain to her that I like to do a lot of different things and getting an education in many different subjects wasn't a bad decision.  After hanging up the phone, I sat on the bed reflecting and realized I really have become the "jack of all trades, master of none."  One of my degrees is in psychology so evidently I over analyzed the conversation with my mom.  I wondered why I can't stay focused enough on one thing to get over the point of it becoming monotonous and boring to finally reaping the benefits of dedication. This question led to a self-search, discovering what motivates people and why motivation can come and go without warning.

It didn't take long and I came across a blog by Joel Runyon, called "Get Disciplined, Not Motivated."  The statements made were impressionable and relatable.  The blog allowed understanding of how an autonomous (self-governing, free) decision, leads to behavior, and is followed by dedication.

MOTIVATION
Motivation is transient, it comes and goes.  It could last only to the end of the week, end of the day, or end of reading this blog.

Motivation is situational, based on emotion.  If you don't feel like doing it, you don't do it.

Motivation is everywhere, everywhere people are trying to stay motivated.  They read, hear, or watch something and it leaves them "motivated", but doesn't preface action.  I find myself telling people I am going to do something great!  I have a plan, I spent many hours on the plan, and.... it doesn't go any further than that.

People don't need motivation...they need self discipline. Discipline to make an educated ,well researched, decision, stick with it, and thrive!

DISCIPLINE
Discipline is constant, doing it often

Discipline is habitual, doesn't just happen.  It's intentional and repeated every...single....day

Discipline is rare, no one likes discipline, it isn't fun. But, it's the only way to see results.

Since the age of the online superhighway we see a limitless array of  motivational quotes with cool handwriting and beautiful pictures.  Like going to church, it does no good if we intently listen every Sunday, feel motivated to make a positive change, then speed out of the parking lot honking at others in anger. It doesn't make sense?  The time is NOW.  I think it's time to laugh a little more, take control of your life,  and focus on the things that matter. Get disciplined:)

Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. 

With Love,
Mandy