Success and Motivation in Retirement
By Scott Gese
Success and motivation in retirement takes effort. To say you want it doesn’t make it so. It takes more than that. If you can keep your motivation strong you will succeed at this thing we call retirement.
Success and motivation in retirement takes effort. To say you want it doesn’t make it so. It takes more than that. If you can keep your motivation strong you will succeed at this thing we call retirement.
We all want things. It’s the nature of the beast. Most want happiness whether it’s through material possessions like a new car or fancy clothes. Others are satisfied with nothing more than good health or good friends.
Whatever you believe will make you happy, if all you do is give it a passing thought, it won’t happen. You need to be motivated.
If you really want something bad enough, It is possible to achieve it…within reason that is.
If you’re only 5 feet tall, I don’t think I’d be looking at getting a spot on an NBA team. I don’t care how motivated you are.
If you’re blind, you probably won’t be getting a drivers license any time soon.
The point is, barring any physical impairments that would disqualify you from getting what you want, getting what you want is entirely possible.
The thing is, You have to want it. You have to really, really want it. This is where motivation comes into play.
How much are you willing to change your life to get what you want?
How motivated are you? This is usually a good indicator of your true desire. If your answer is “Not Much”, not much is what you’re going to end up with.
I’ll admit that this might work for small things like losing a couple of pounds. But even small things like this will require some form of motivation from you. I slight change in your eating habits might do the trick.
But what if you want bigger things? What if you want to make a significant change in your lifestyle or become much better at something you do? Bigger wants require more effort. How motivated are you to get what it is you really want?
Think about what it is you want more than anything else. What would it take to get it?
If you lack the motivation you need, breaking things down into small pieces may help you get it back.
Write down what it is you want to achieve. Don't just think about it. Actually write it down.
What would it take to achieve this thing you want? Time, money? How much time? How much money? Write it down.
Once you break what it is you want down to basic components, you’ll have a better idea of what needs to be done to achieve your desire.
Sometimes a lack of motivation is nothing more than a feeling of being overwhelmed.
This can bring on feelings of self doubt which can drain your motivation. Breaking it down into basic components helps it to become more manageable.
You have to come out of the gate with a positive attitude.
If you believed you were going to lose the race before you left the blocks, why would you even bother to get on the track?
Take each item on your list and arrange them in some sort of order. I have to do A before I can do B. That sort of order. This simplifies your desire.
If you need to learn something first, start learning it. Do whatever is required. If what you want to achieve takes a special license, do what is required to get it. If you need to develop special skills, acquire them. Don’t make excuses.
It's much easier to get yourself motivated when the task is small. Doing and completing the small things will improve your motivation for the larger things ahead.
It may take you longer than you would like, but don’t let that discourage you. Don’t look so far ahead. Stay focused on the task at hand. Take it one day at a time. Small chunks and baby steps will keep you moving forward.
What are you willing to give up to get it?
There’s always a trade off.
Manage Your Time
If you need more time you’ll need to give up something to get it. Think about what you’re willing to part with to free up more time. Do you need to get up earlier? Go to bed later? Cut down or eliminate your television time? Stop spending so much time on social media? Let's face it. Facebook and other social media sites are a time suck.
Money
Does what you want have a monetary cost associated with it. Do you have the money or will you need to acquire it somehow. Maybe sell something you no longer use? Giving up bad habits will not only free up some extra cash,, it may have the added benefit of improving your health. Be creative. Don’t let the lack of money stop you.
Effort
Most likely what you want will require work to get it. Be willing to put out the effort. Sweat equity is free. Books are cheap and reading is free. The internet is a great place to learn things and it’s usually free. Need to take a class? Do it. Stay focused on your goal. You’ll get there.
Mind Games
The fearsome twosome, fear and doubt will show up at some point. You have to be able to work past this. If you want it bad enough you can put them in their place for awhile. With each step you accomplish, celebrate it. Let each step be a confidence building black.
There are things you can do to relieve your stress and anxiety. Meditation works well. Focused Mental Rehearsal is also worth pursuing. They’re both game changers in my book.
Conclusion
A successful retirement is yours if you want it bad enough. Others have surmounted great obstacles to achieve their dreams. There’s no reason why you can’t do the same. Think about how good it will feel when you finally reach your dream and change your life. All the time, money and effort will have been worth every minute, cent and drop of sweat. I hope this article will help you find some motivation. Start with the small things. Small successes will encourage and motivate you.
When you build muscle you don't start with the heaviest weight first. You work up to it. It's the same with motivation. Start small. You can do this.
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