All I need is motivation
Posted: Sunday, December 04, 2011
by Tharuna Devchand
When I was a kid, my drive was endless. Words like motivation and inspiration didn't exist. I just went on, doing everything that I possible could and feeling exhilarated rather than exhausted and thinly spread. In primary school, my week consisted of school, choir practise twice a week, art club once a week, speech and drama, the chess club with sporadic tournaments, a daily swimming lesson with galas almost every second week, dancing classes, the occasional tennis game, homework and hours on the phone chatting to my best friend.
I think the biggest difference between the then-me and the now-me is that the then-me wasn't afraid of anything. There was nothing to lose. As we grow older and become weary of concepts like death, success, wealth, reputation, age and beauty, we start trying to make more conscious decisions; to control everything and make every moment worth its while. Usually we don't and merely end up stifling ourselves.
On the verge of turning 25, I've become rather contemplative about the things I've achieved and where I am in my life. The fact that I have no idea where I am going scares me and the many goals that I have had over the years and simply never bothered to work at have piled up and stare at me as proof, almost, that I am a failure.
When you want to do something, and don't, it all boils down to one simple question: how much do you want it?
My general response has been 'not enough'. I've always blamed things like inspiration, passion and motivation... I couldn't feel them and therefore, I believed, I couldn't achieve what I wanted to. However, the truth is that I was just afraid to.
We have so many fears in life that we collect over the years that it's almost inevitable we end up sticking our heads in the ground and building cocoons around ourselves.
Instead, what we need to be saying is: I can handle anything that comes my way.
Recently, and maybe for the 258th time in my life, I've decided to take a bold step and go for what I want: write those articles that have been lengthening my to-do list whether or not they are perfect, complete my screenplay, work constantly on film so that I can make a path for myself into that career and lose weight.
The last one has been an endless battle of half attempts. I've read up on it so much that I could be an expert. I've met people who have lost as much as 58kg to prove to me that it is doable. I've tried a multitude of those lose-it-quick schemes. I've even made progress and almost reached my goal only to revert back to my initial heaviness. Because its comfortable? Because its an excuse? Because I just don't want it enough?
I look in the mirror and think: all I need is some motivation, something to inspire me.
There's no such thing. Whether the source of our energy is internal or external, we motivate ourselves. We make choices. It's that simple. Blaming our lack of drive is luxurious.
As is writers block. We can choose to stare at a blank page or we can choose to just write and keep writing until we feel what we are writing.
The trick is to make what we want more important to us than what we currently do. For example, finishing that screenplay is more important than getting enough sleep; being slim is more important than gobbling that piece of cake, and completing my work is more important than being the best writer.
A friend always told me that we have this one life and its short... So why would you want to spend it being anything other than your best possible self? It's easy to get stuck in the rut and live a day by day comfortable but unfulfilling existence. But does that make you happy? Is it enough?
If all I needed was some motivation, surely I would have found it by now!
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Tharuna, you're articles are always so structured and coherent! And i like the tip for thinking one things more important. Thanks for sharing!Thanks:)
Excellent writing. You have a very able mind. A natural writer. Superb structure.Thanks:)
You're really good at articulating inner debate and the Hamlet-type dilemma. What you say about choosing whether to stare at a blank page or to just write until you connect struck a chord with me. Just do it, right? Trouble is, easier said than done!
Not really. The hardest part is to stop thinking and start writing. Cos once we start writing this inner part of us takes over and words just start flowing out! Its when we start analysing and planning and overthinking we find it hard to find words cos we keep looking for the right words. Right words are like the perfect partner/ the one. It doesn't work. So just right... Whatever it is... Then look back and fix :)
And thanks. I think the inner debate thing is from years of writing in journals. Am glad I stopped that tho :). I always think these pieces are self indulgent but hey
Your article is motivating.Thank u :). That's funny :)
What 'motivates' one to get out of a warm, cozy bed and out into snowdrifts to go to work?
Uncompromising reality, is a harsh motivating impetus.
As you unfurl your inner spirit into fuller realizations and wisdoms, you'll realize that," you only live once", is as surely false as ,"seeing is believing", or "stick and stones may break your bones, but words can never harm you".
As a youthful writer, you have already learned a remarkable hard and fast lesson that ideas, words and lessons do not come FROM us; they come THROUGH us.
That spiritual insight will surely motivate your whole waking life.
It will goad you into amazing motivating experiences, beyond your seeming control
There's a text named, "Everything you've learned since childhood is wrong", absolutely worth reading.
You've a splendid grasp of words and ideas towards writing articles that motivate others; by helping others, you shall surely help yourself.
Affection,
Paul.
Thanks Paul. Do you know the author of that book?
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