Motivation
Motivation – the reason behind someone’s thoughts or actions. It can be seen as the “driving force” to act, respond or think. Motivation can be positive as well as negative. We all know very well negative motivation and the days where we just want to lie in bed all day. What though of the days where we feel that drive, that energy and have motivation? How do we create them and cause them to happen more frequently? What I suggest, find a passion hobby.
If you’re passionate about your job, is it really work? It is much easier if you don’t dread the “Mondays”. This could be said for adults and children. From work to school, sometimes, it isn’t what you are looking for. I understand and have been in that same situation. Fortunately, I had a place and an activity to look forward to. Something that helped me through my day and brought excitement with it. This was my martial arts school!
This extrinsic motivation brought the needed “pep” to get through my school day as a kid and later my work day as an adult. It provided me with a place to just relax, have fun and be myself. It was and is my “third” place and I felt secure and at home there. I know for many of my friends and fellow martial artists, they feel the same.
It is a unique setting and culture at a martial arts studio. At a good one, you feel the pressure to grow and continually strive to not only do your best but improve upon it. Though at the same time, you do not fear failure due to ridicule or embarrassment keeping you from trying. You find a safe place to learn, grow and truly enjoy yourself.
This is why the motivation lasts and is this strong! It is both extrinsic as well as intrinsic. You have an instructor, peers and entire community supporting you, encouraging you and pushing you forward. You have clear goals to strive for and notable achievements that can be accomplished. There will be obstacles but that is all part of the journey. You will find yourself constantly striving to improve not just to advance in rank but to transform yourself into a better person, someone you’d be proud to look at in the mirror and see staring back at you.
I hope then that each and every one of you find a place that brings you this level of fulfillment. Maybe it will be martial arts like it is for me. If it is, I would love to meet you and train with you! Maybe you will stumble your way into my studio. If so, just know, you have an entire community that has your back and wants the absolute best for you. So then, what’s holding you back? Let’s get started! It is time to get out there and CRUSH this thing called “Motivation!”
Bradley Clemens