The lasting power is not from the questions, but rather the answers.
—
I know you have a plan for success. A ridiculous desire to be more than you are, to accomplish great things for your family and yourself. You may know exactly what you want and wish it would just happen already. But there is a problem.
So many times I’ve come to a screeching halt in my dream business.
|
At some point, you lost your mojo. You hit a setback or talked to a hater, perhaps someone you respected scoffed at your dream. Also, it could simply be that you are just so crazy tired that you lack the energy to continue.
I have been there. Unexcited, uninspired and unmotivated. So many times I’ve come to a screeching halt in my dream business. Often I’ve just pushed, though. But it’s not always so simple. I’ve come to the realization now that one of the fastest ways to get my motivation back is also one of the simplest. I ask myself four questions…and think seriously about the consequences.
♦◊♦
1. What if I do nothing?
The first time I asked myself this question it was like someone sucker punched me. I was almost physically sick. Ask yourself right now. “What if I do nothing?” If you do nothing then what you are now is the best you’ll ever be. You won’t even keep what you have. It takes an effort just to maintain your current level of success. Doing nothing means a slow descent back into the oblivion of being a sorry soul working for someone else’s dream. What if I do nothing?
2. Do I want my future to look like my past?
Dan Miller, the author of 48 Days to the Work You Love, offers the following quote, “If the next five years of your life look exactly like the last five years, are you ok with that?” What if for the next five years you end up having exactly what you have for the last five? Same job, same house, same income, the same level of relationships, same physical health, same everything. Is that what you want? Do you want everything to stay the same? Do I want my future to look like my past?
3. Right now am I living the life I want?
Right now, this minute, am I living my dream life? Have I reached the pinnacle of success that is my vision? When I look around I may see some success, but is it everything I wanted? Or perhaps am I just ready to settle? Am I giving up because I’m ok with compromising on my dreams? Right now am I living the life that I want?
4. Will I keep my promises?
The lasting power is not from the questions, but rather the answers.
|
When I started this journey, over 20 years ago, I made promises to my wife. I talked of beaches and travel and freedom to spend all the time together that we desired. I made promises. If I quit then, I quit on her. If I quit, I quit on myself. Did you make promises to your children or spouse? Did you make promises to yourself? Is there someone who knows you can do it and is encouraging you to keep going? Will you give up on them? Ask yourself, will I keep my promises?
♦◊♦
Let me close with a thought. If you just ask yourself the questions, it might do you a bit of good, but not much. The lasting power is not from the questions, but rather the answers. It’s the answers that will push you to keep taking action, even when all you want to do go back and do something safe.
So ask yourself the questions, write down the answers, and decide whether you want to keep moving. I think if you are honest with yourself you’ll find that you cannot stop. So go! Run! Be the person you know you can be. The world needs you.
—
Photo: Flickr/ Paul Worthington
This article originally appeared on TroyStoneking.com.