Motivation

“Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.” ~~Tennessee Williams~~

Some great comments on my post yesterday really got me thinking about how we get and stay motivated. I was reminded by a colleague Sheree Van Vreede (@rezlady) that we’re not in this game alone. It really does take a village, and we can rely on our networks for support. So true! My personal advisory board helps me not only stay on track, but is a huge support to me when I feel I need a little something… And, that something can be anything, really! Sometimes it’s motivation and encouragement. Sometimes it’s a sounding board. Sometimes it’s advice. Sometimes it’s a swift kick in the pants! It’s not only motivating, but extremely comforting to know I have a village out there! Social media applications like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, (and now I’m exploring Quora) have helped make that village even larger. In fact, that’s how I know of Sheree! It’s wonderful to know that there’s a whole world of people out there who are willing to help!

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart; I'll always be with you.” ~Winnie the Pooh

Preparation

“Before beginning a Hunt, it is wise to ask someone what you are looking for before you begin looking for it.” ~~Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne~~

Even Pooh learned that preparation (or, maybe I should write Preparation) is critical. This time it comes in the form of research (Research).

Those who follow blindly because that’s what everyone else is doing may be spending a lot of time doing nothing that propels them forward. Taking some time in advance of taking some action, figuring out what your needs are before you make a commitment, is more than worth that time. Identifying the little steps that will help you achieve the big dream takes time, research, and planning, and there are many forms that preparation can take. Sometimes it’s as simple as going online. Sometimes, it’s more about networking and asking a lot of good questions. And I’ve discovered that the more questions I ask, the better I can hone in on what the good questions are. Researching a target and the path that will best help me reach that target will ultimately save me not only time, but energy and effort I can then spend elsewhere.

Do you know how to get to where you want to get to?