Doing

Doing is hard. No doubt about it.

Everyone envisions what their best self would be like. Amazingly talented in your greatest passion, athletic with a lean body to show for it, a welcoming and charismatic personality, brains that continue to prove themselves again and again, etc. To a degree, this is possible for all of us. Sure, "lean" won't look the same on two people who're wired differently genetically. Or how the definition of "welcoming" varies for everyone. Point is, we all could, in theory, achieve the basics of the "perfect person."

But we don't.

Why? Because doing is hard. The people who do get here are those who're used to doing more than they really want to. Or maybe they're naturally hard workers who have less trouble doing more. No amount of luck and blessings can make up for the fact that being the "perfect person" requires more doing than most of us are willing/capable of.

So, how to do more? It's that little word that's sprinkled around everywhere. Motivation. Such an odd word, isn't it? It derives from the Latin word movere, meaning "to move." Funny, isn't it? 

So, what exactly is motivation? The general desire or willingness of someone to do something. An expected definition. As I discussed in Existing thought, life really is just what you make of it. With no drive to do something, then nothing really matters in your life. It's your personal motive that places value on what you do. For example, take schoolwork. Better yet, busywork, the bane of every student's existence. Why are we sitting here doing random, unrelated worksheets just for you to get a break? Well, why are you? And don't say because you were told to, because really, that's not enough of a reason for anything. Is it because you want to? Do you enjoy busy work? Do you like the leeway it gives your overstretched brain? What about grades? It is going in the grade book, isn't it? Maybe you just feel more responsible actually focusing on something in class?

The reason really doesn't have to be anything in particular. As long as you admit you're acting on your own free will and no one else's, then it's a valid reason. Once you have a reason, the thing you're doing has value. Maybe not to the world, but it has value to you. Get this assignment done because I want to maintain my grade. Study for this test because I really want to pass. And no, this policy isn't limited to a school environment. It applies to everything. Buy a new sketchbook because I want a place to practice my art. Learn to ride a bike because I want to be able to. Make it an "I" statement, assert that it's your choice. Dye my hair because I want to experiment with my looks. Go to the gym because I want to start lifting.

Motivation doesn't come out of nowhere, it comes from within you. You have to dig deep and pull it out. Get used to pushing yourself farther and farther. Will you become the "perfect person?" Maybe, who knows. But I do know that if you keep up with this, telling yourself to always be better and be willing to do more, you will become a doer.

Be the doer.