No, not like THAT.
What I mean is—what motivates you? What is the thing that gets you geared up and ready to meet a challenge?
I’ll tell you a story. When I was pregnant with my daughter Sydney, I was put on bed rest. I went into pre-term labor at 22 weeks and down I went. Eleven weeks later my water broke. It was my first pregnancy and bed rest occurred so early on, I never got a chance to do Lamaze classes. I didn’t get to practice breathing or pushing, but being a woman and all, figured I would muddle through.
So, the night of the big event, hubby and I get to the hospital and fate being what it is, the a-hole doctor that I liked the least from the practice was of course on call that night. This doctor had bullied me earlier in my pregnancy, but that is another story. Suffice it to say that there was no love lost between the two of us.
So now it is time to push. The nurse comes in very nicely and gives me some tips. How hard can this be, right? So there is the Doc and it is time to give it a go. I push. He very rudely tells me that I am “doing it all wrong.” In other words, I suck at giving birth. Really? Only the most natural thing EVER.
Well, that was it for me. My competitive juices rose right up and Sydney was born seven minutes later. I pushed so hard that I broke a blood vessel in my eye.
So that’s my motivation. Someone who dares me, someone who says, “you can’t do that,” or worse, “you suck at that.” I relish the challenge and do all I can to prove them wrong (might be juvenile, but hey—it works!)
What is it for you? Some people like being gently pushed. Others will fight back against any kind of a push come hell or high water—even if they know that the person is pushing them in a good direction. Some people use things like “I want to be here for my grandchildren” or “I need to look fantastic on vacation”. Some people need a goal—training for a 5K. Others a group class, or group training for a charity event.
Whatever it is for you, the most important thing is to use it to your advantage. If you know you need a goal, make one. If you know you need a buddy or a coach, find one or hire one. It is your health and your life—you don’t want to mess around.
What motivates you? How do you use that motivation to get things done in your life? How could you utilize it even more? Please share below in the comment section.
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Lacy says
July 24, 2013 at 8:23 pmI’m actually the opposite! If someone tells me I suck at something (or if I even suspect it in my own brain) I shut down. I would rather not do it at all than be bad at it—which isn’t a great reaction! Something I’m trying to overcome, actually.
I love to do more of something when people tell me how good at it I am. Positive reinforcement is my crack! I eat that up.
And, funny story, my a-hole OB told me the EXACT same thing when I was having my daughter. She also told me to stop screaming so much because I was wasting energy. If I’d had any energy left, I would have told her where she could shove her advice… 😉
breathecommunity.org says
July 25, 2013 at 10:49 amLacy–What is up with these OB’s? Haha.
Stick to what you are good at. No need to reinvent the wheel. Positive reinforcement is great for all of us.
Melissa Burkheimer says
July 24, 2013 at 8:44 pmWhat turns me on? I love helping people. I love attention to my successes. It’s when I’m not successful that I’m turned off and I shut down, like Lacy.
Seven minutes after he told you you were doing it wrong….wonder woman!! Bam!
breathecommunity.org says
July 25, 2013 at 10:50 amMelissa it is great that you know helping people makes you happy. Keep it up–nothing is better for our world.
Andrea says
July 24, 2013 at 10:03 pmI think I’m similar to you, Lorna. I have a lot of that rebellious, f-you in me. The minute someone tells me I can’t do something I’m all about showing them that not only can I do it, but I can kick ass at it!
Though I think you have all of us beat with your seven minutes!
breathecommunity.org says
July 25, 2013 at 10:52 amAndrea yes, you and I are similar. And it is easy to see how we can harness that fire to our advantage.
I try to encourage those close to me to keep raising the bar because I know I will always try to reach it.
Fiona says
July 25, 2013 at 10:22 amToo funny Lorna, I love that attitude, reading these posts always makes me miss you loads, it’s like a virtual cuppa in your kitchen.
Winter is disappearing here the days are getting longer, the sun has been shining and it smells like spring, I can’t wait.
As for motivation a bit thin on the ground at the moment keeping Dory from Finding Nemo in the front of my mind and I just keep swimming. Your posts remind me I need to set some concrete goals and get my stubborness working for me rather than against me.
Fi 🙂
breathecommunity.org says
July 25, 2013 at 10:54 amFiona, you have little kids and at that stage of the game “just keep swimming’ is the perfect attitude. It’s what will get you through.
I miss you too and can’t wait for the day when we have an actual cuppa.
Aimelie Ronquillo says
July 26, 2013 at 1:49 pmGreat article, I used to be like you in that proving others wrong as motivation, but lately, I’ve shifted over to creating as much happiness as I can in my life. Doing things I love is what motivates me now, and am definitely happier because of it. 🙂
breathecommunity.org says
July 26, 2013 at 3:09 pmI love that Aimelie. I need to work on that for me too.