If you can dream it, you can do it!

If you can dream it, you can do it!
by Radhanath Thialan

            “The presence of fear is the absence of trust, in yourself, your path, and the universe.  That is no way to live” (Fuentes 56).  In the modern era, many people tend to have a more negative aspect towards life and lack motivation.  They do not look at life as optimistically as they should.  The main cause for a human being to lack motivation is to do something they do not like.  When discouraged, most people will dramatically slack in their performances.  They do not care about life and often give up.  Pastor Reimar A. C. Schultze once mentioned,

            Do not allow yourself to be discouraged – discouragement leads to doubting.  It always     breeds poor judgment and talks a lot of non-sense.  It destroys faith; it leads to complaining,
murmuring, and a life of sour grapes and total defeat.   Just as our Savior had learned to walk the Arabah without discouragement, so must you and I.  (2) 

 

            The surroundings of a person are very important to his motivation.  Motivation often occurs when a person is optimistic in life and is being mindful at the same time.  Optimistic people normally accept barriers in life as challenges instead of avoiding them and allowing fear to overpower them. To be motivated, one can take up motivational courses by the famous Anthony Robbins, or seek private mental coaches to boost up their confidence and reduce insecurity.  Studies show that in order to be easily motivated, an individual should first build self-confidence.  This will lead to the bravery of asking another individual, which is better than your inner self, and seek advice from them.  Egos often cut off the opportunity to be motivated as we think that we are always the best in everything.  Being the best is unfortunately unattainable.  Let this quote of Bruce Lee’s explain it all: “Empty your cup so that it may be filled; become devoid to gain totality” (Goodreads).  

            Have you ever found inspiration in life?  Just as the smallest possessions in life may mean the most to us, so does inspiration.  Having inspiration and excitement in starting every day of our lives is a good way to motivate our inner self.  There are two types of motivation: extrinsic and intrinsic motivation.  Extrinsic motivation refers to outside forces such as reward and trophies, whereas intrinsic motivation comes from within an individual.  Setting goals is very important to keep an individual motivated too.  Some people recite their goals like mantras, repeating them daily to picture their success.  Having one aim in life will enable you to be positive and headstrong in achieving your dream. 

            A big difference is seen in a person who is motivated.  They are generally happy and very sanguine.  A motivated person is often bright and very nice to be with.  They make life more ecstatic and interesting allowing you to see life in a different perception.  Seeing life in a positive way allows an individual to not dwell with hard times and always do good deeds.  A constructive lifestyle will lead to a longer lifespan and is normally less stressful compared to others because their mentality is strong enough to control their emotions.  This research shows that “positive people who regularly express positive emotions are more resilient when facing stress, challenges and adversity” (Gordon).  A little praise for a good deed is able to motivate someone’s day and may mean a lot to them.  Studies have shown that if a child is constantly praised, but remains humble, they normally have a healthier lifestyle compared to a discouraged child.  Parents and teachers should take note into motivating the young ones as the action might be small but the effect is really immense and may change a person’s lifestyle (Gordon). 

Creativity is also one of the effects of motivation.  Runco and David’s article stated “intrinsic motivation was tied to creativity talent in some of the very first empirical investigations reported at the Institute for Personality Assesment and Research (IPAR)” (470).   Motivation leads to various positive effect in which allows our brain cells to function positively and to have more interesting and creative thoughts.  The study on creativity and motivation also found that creativity can flourish only when motivation comes from within the creator.  The humanistic view of creativity and motivation claims that without motivation, the brain shuts off not allowing an individual to think and often leads to lower self-esteem and depression (Runco and David 471).  The relationship of motivation and creativity is very interesting and often leads to a successful lifestyle. 

            Studies also found that students who are motivated performed better academically.  We usually observe this situation during our elementary school years when the teacher motivates her students by giving them sweets when they do well on tests.  The class average will suddenly bump up by almost 75% according to Robert Eisenberger in his psychological report about the effects on intrinsic motivation (677).   Most effects on motivation benefits an individual and usually allows them to succeed.  My dad always reminded me that I can choose two paths in becoming successful; I can go through hardship and destitution, or I can be motivated by listening to noble advises in order to succeed with joy and abundance. 

            In this short amount of time we are alive, we should all be thankful and motivate ourselves to accomplish our desire.  Motivation may come in various forms from praises and awards to self-realization and inspiration.  The choice is ours to be motivated.  Every individual has a specific preference, and there is not a right or wrong way of motivation unless drugs and alcohol is what motivates you.  Without further ado, find inspiration in your life, motivate yourself, live with it and always think positive; that way, negativity will not intrude you easily.  Change yourself and see the world to be a better place to live in. 

Works Cited

Bruce, Lee. "Quotes by Bruce Lee." Goodreads. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 July 2014.      <https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/48714-empty-your-cup-so-that-it-may-be-filled- become>.

Eisenberger, Robert. "Effects of Reward on Intrinsic Motivation." Psycholoical Bulletin 125.6       (1999): 677. Web. 18 July 2014.             <http://eisenberger.psych.udel.edu/files/06_Effects_of_Reward_on_Intrinsic_Motivation.            pdf>.

Fuentes, Al. "Chapter 3: Trust." Grow Up and Out. N.p.: EPub Bud, 2013. 56. Print.

Gordon, Jon. "11 Benefits of Being Positive." Jon Gordon Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 July 2014.     <http://www.jongordon.com/blog/11-benefits-of-being-positive/>.

Runco, Mark R., and David J. McGarva. "Creativity and Motivation." Cognition and

Motivation: Forging an Interdisciplinary Perspective. New York: Cambridge UP, 2013. 469-78. Google Books. Web. 22 July 2014. <http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=vxnA9Cfn3LAC&oi=fnd&pg=PA468&dq=creativity and motivation&ots=oXEipZQK1R&sig=jj3-VSsTPpW3FFfh2RLD3D9KWE0#v=onepage&q=creativity and motivation&f=false>.

Schultze, Reimar A. C., Pastor. "The People Were Discouraged." 2, n.d. Web. 18 July 2014.         <http://www.schultze.org/338pdf.pdf>.