There’s always been a buzz around this word. How do we know if we’ve got motivation? And what is motivation anyway? Basically, it’s a desire to achieve a goal, combined with the energy to work towards that goal. It’s as simple as that.

So, how do we get that drive to begin with? We’ve got to know what we want. If we’re not crystal clear with that, we get nowhere. Start out by asking yourself, “what do I really want?”  Picture the end result. Make a list of every goal and necessary action steps, followed by a target date. Writing it down gives it power.

Once the desire is there, then the good stuff can begin…I’m talking about action! Nothing happens until we take action. Results require doing, so ask yourself: “Am I willing to do whatever it takes to reach my goals?” That’s where the pedal hits the metal. Success at anything takes hard work and determination. There’s no sliding around it.

The developers of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul”® book series, pitched their idea to over fifty publishers before they found one willing to take a chance. They were not willing to give up no matter how many rejections they had. The result? They went on to sell millions of books worldwide. They were motivated! In fact, I’m honored to have an inspiring story in “Chicken Soup for the College Soul”®.

My goal was to become a teacher or counselor…both required a college degree. However, after high school, I flunked out of three different colleges. Ouch! I had a lot of fun, but forgot about the hard work involved. I felt like a loser, to say the least.

After trying a few unchallenging jobs, I learned that to go for my goals, I would have to make a major decision to buckle down. I was motivated to make a living, but I also wanted to make a difference. Not knowing if I had enough courage or determination, I gave college one last shot.

When I began again, the Psychology professor who taught that first class, was magic for me. Dr. Cohen loved the subject. It radiated from her eyes and in her voice. The entire class was spellbound when she spoke.

That professor became a mentor and encouraged me to keep going. I got motivated enough to finish my B.A. degree and went on to earn my Master’s from New York University. As the saying goes…better late than never!

Have you got motivation to use your unique skills and talents? We don’t go from zero to hero, but we move forward taking one step at a time. If you do this consistently and patiently, you’ll get exciting results. Don’t let life’s roadblocks detour your dreams. Go for it!

Carol Grace Anderson, M.A., is a motivational expert, speaker, and the author of the popular book: Get Fired Up Without Burning Out! Visit her website at: www.GetFiredUp.com

© 2010 Carol Grace Anderson

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