Motivation is the activation or energization of goal oriented behavior. It does not drive, it is driven by you
A mindset for success is built upon a foundation of determination. If your foundation is built on motivation, one of two things will happen. You will change, or you will fail.
Here is a true story about Chris Owen.
In May 2005 I was flown by way of a Blackhawk helicopter to an emergency field hospital in Ballad Iraq. I never even knew that it was possible to feel so much pain.
About a week later when I was stable enough to move, I was flown out by way of a C-141 to Landstuhl Germany, where I spent the next months in ICU. From Landstuhl, to DC, to Eisenhower, and so on. I spent much of the next year in and out of hospitals, and going through extremely painful bouts of physical therapy.
In the beginning I was told I would never walk again. When I stood up for the first time, I was told that standing was about the best I could hope for. After my first steps it changed to “you will never walk normal again”. Are you seeing the point?
The first day that I took a step on my own, it was one of the single most motivating experiences in my life. The the torn away muscle tissue in my back decided to spasm and I was back to the most excruciating pain you could imagine.
If I had relied on Motivation to walk again, I would still be in a wheelchair.
It is that simple. After falling in excruciating pain, like I didn’t know existed before my injury, no amount of motivation will make you want to try again. I was extremely motivated by that first step. But that was all out the window with what came next. That is what I mean when I say:
Sometimes Motivation Sucks
Motivation is not a key item needed for a mindset for success. Don’t get me wrong, I love to feel motivated, and I take steps to feel that way by continuously setting goals and reaching them. But that motivation doesn’t drive me. It is along for the ride.
It is the goals I set that drives me, and the determination to reach them. You want to test my theory? You take ten highly motivated new team members, and I will take one team member determined to succeed and goal oriented. Who do you think will have the best results in 6 months.
You see, that is the problem with motivation. It falls as fast as it rises. Motivation is a short term happiness. Determination is your vehicle to the long term.
I have a friend named Eric McMillin who had a booming business in construction not too long ago. Everything was going great and new contracts seemed to hunt him down. Then the economy fell, and business came to an all time low. What did he do? He continued on. He is still running his construction business and pushing through, because he knows that the economy will come back. What he did learn is to have a back up plan for these times which is what led him to internet marketing. Which he has hit with the same hammer of determination that made him successful in the offline world.
So what can you do today to gain this type of determination, and that kind of mindset for success?
It is as simple as setting goals and not accepting less than those goals. I am the guy that would never walk again. On January the fourth 2007 I walked out of the hospital holding my newborn baby with both hands. Just this year I ran beside my 4 year old son the first time he rode a bike without the training wheels.
I got here through sheer determination. I heard what the doctors where saying, but I didn’t listen to the garbage. I knew I would walk again. But that wasn’t my goal. My goal was to run.
Chris Owen Academy
P.S. If you have a story of determination post it in the comments area. Maybe your story can help someone else.
Also I have placed three video’s of Zig Ziglar on goal setting in the free training area. I recommend this to anyone wanting to be successful in business as well as life.
Staying the course, you can join the book of the month club by submitting your name and email into the box on the top right. “Think and Grow Rich” is the first book on the list. Then you get one free book each month thereafter for free. Just my way of giving back.
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Love this post! Of course, I believe they’re all great! This one I consider the best. A true, real story…very personal. Someone, like you, with an experience to share is much more effective than just you’re everyday “great” speaker/writer.
Love you!
Tragena
PS – I consider it an honor to be by your side everyday…when you needed me to take your boots off, when you needed me to help you stand, to watch you press on and gain strength again. I have a great admiration for your determination! And one of my most vivid memories is watching you walk, unassisted, across the parking lot to me before our son was born. You ARE motivation for all who know your story.
Thanks Tragena,
Not to get too emotional inside the comments section, but I definitely should rewrite this, or write a second part with your story of determination. As hard as things have been for me, you didn’t have to stay by my side. Nothing could have been easy when finding out that your husband had 9 broken discs and so much muscular damage, on top of being in another country.
Did I mention she was pregnant with our first son when all of this happened, and I had two surgeries within the first month of our son Isaac’s life?
You are my inspiration.
Chris,
Awesome story. You are an inspiration for people who have been told it couldn’t be done. The only thing that can’t be done is that which is not attempted!
Thanks for the plug,
Eric
P.S. Try Finding Anything Motivating In The Construction Business Right Now, Definitely Not Easy.
Hey Eric,
You are right.
The only thing motivating in the construction industry right now, is the determination of those who press on.
Hey Chris, what can I say buddy!?
That is a powerful story, I had no idea you had to overcome so many hurdles.
I take my hat off to you for overcoming your challenges.
Thanks Wayne,
This was not an easy post to write, and I tried to keep the details slim. It is hard to get through it without getting too emotional and still make it powerful enough to help those who read it. I think my wife brought the emotion into the comments for me though.
A life of determination is definitely a life of purpose.
Hey Chris,
What a great story! I remember when I was in the Army. I use to say give me 2-3 guys that are determined and have a purpose. I’ll be able to accomplish a lot more than individuals that are just motivated.
Motivation only last for a little bit. However, when you put a purpose and a why behind it. Watch out world!
Have a great day!
Josh
Yeah, motivated guys in the army tend to burn out fast when the going gets tough. Some of the most high spirited men I knew in country quickly became depressed in Iraq.
It is the less emotional guys who seem to thrive in circumstances that require a high degree of determination when motivation is slim.
Although, I will say, blowing stuff up really is motivating for the troops. That and letters form home make for a great day.
Hi Chris,
What a story. Thank you for sharing it.
You are absolutely right, motivation sucks sometimes. And there is a big difference between motivation and determination.
I don’t always feel motivated to work at home, but that NEVER slows, or dims my determination.
Great post!
Susanna
Hey Susanna,
I know you get a little more of the feeling behind some of this, coming from a military background. I never got your MOS, but I did read your PT post. I would have loved to be in that group. (then, I think now it would hurt me.LOL)
Yeah, my bottom line is, being motivated is great, but never rely on it. Faith and determination will always pull you through.
Hi Chris,
Wow! You are a true inspiration! After going through what you have been going through everything else must seem like a piece of cake. I bet labor pains are nothing compared to the pain you had to endure. You are a true champion!
Thank you for sharing your very personal story!
Ilka
Thanks Ilka,
Being a father of two, I am not going to touch on the labor pains subject. I don’t want to get into one of those debates with Tragena. LOL.
I really hope my story, and the others I tell on this site inspire people to do more. I am living proof that the mind is capable of much more than it gets credited.
You’re a very smart man, Chris!!
And very inspiring as well. You always inspire me to push harder.
This is an AWESOME story of determination Chris & I thank you for sharing it. I think my military background gave me a certain level of determination. You said share your story so here is mine. I’ll try to put it in a nutshell. Was married, had 2 kids, never finished college but always wanted better for them. Wanted to own a home & set aside college funding for the kids. Ex-hubby blew through all we made, divorced him still had the goals set. Bought first home 1 year after the divorce, lost job, almost lost home. Daughter rebelled, at age 9, started stealing & heading down a bad path. I decided that was not the path I wanted for her or me, decided to never go back to work for someone else because I needed to be very active in the lives of my kids. I became an independent contractor as a personal trainer at 2 different gyms & took a real estate appraisal course so I could be there when they got off the school bus and I could redirect daughters bad habits into good ones. I was determined that this child would grow to be productive & go to college. She graduated from H.S. in the top 13% of her graduating class & was given a full scholarship to school, all I cover are room, board & books, her $33K tuition to a private out of state institution is taken care of.
To further the story, real estate industry, I don’t have to tell you that part of the story, my business died (was actually kind of happy about that part). I have another child coming up on college, I rise at 3 a.m. go to a part time job, come home & I’m building my shoe business, I network early mornings, I’m at every football game, every band recital, then I network when he doesn’t have activities and fall into bed each night at around 10 p.m. His college will be covered because I am determined to make it so and I will be here whenever he needs me because I decided long ago I would. Being the double duty parent is tough but I’m determined to make my dreams come true professionally and to see that my kids have a bright future. Hope this wasn’t too long & made sense. Thanks for your determination & your beautiful story & Tragena is in my opinion a FABULOUS woman!