After reading my easily digestible title you've decided to continue? Very well then. I hope I can give you a little motivation in this post and I am also hoping it will help inspire me to be more motivated to be inspired to be motivated enough to inspire myself to be more motivated from the inspiration of my motivation. 

I think one of the hard parts of any task or goal is to keep yourself motivated. It's wonderful being inspired, but the motivation part doesn't always last. I was recently talking to one of my friends from Torum and we were talking about motivation and how important it is to keep re-motivating yourself. I told him of a book I read when I was younger called Up Up UP, by Zig Ziglar, at least that is my memory of the book title. After looking it up to double-check the title of the book I discovered that the book is titled; Staying up, up, up in a down, down world. That title is clearly is a better title than what I remembered. 

It's not surprising I forgot the correct title of the book considering it was so long ago and reading self-help or motivational books was definitely not something that was in my wheelhouse. Plus, I don't like mixing books with my wheel collection. The fact I had to buy a whole other house just to store my wheel collection is a separate problem I'll eventually have to address, but I digress. 

So reading these kinds of books was not something I normally did, but the book was a gift from my mom and I did not want to disappoint her...again. I finished the book fairly quickly as it was mostly filled with stuff I basically already knew, but never implemented in my life. A lot of times these books are more of a kick-in-the-butt than a way of life or something you're going to use every day, but it is possible to find gems within these books that you can implement every day.

I'm embarrassed (not really) to admit that I can only remember one thing from Zig Ziglar's book. Actually, I can remember two things; one of the things I never forgot was the guy's name. Unless Zig is followed by Zag, It's not a word you often hear and the last name of Ziglar really adds to the alliteration cake. I'm sure it's a made-up name though and a really good one at that. I often wonder if Zig Ziglar would have been as much of a success as he was if he had not had the alliterative name. I then ponder why I often wonder about dumb things like this. I'm a big ponderer. I ponder here. I ponder there. Everywhere I ponder-ponder! 

What the hell is my point?... Oh yeah! The other little piece I remember from the book is a quote from Zig about motivation. The quote is; "Motivation is like bathing; it doesn't last. That is why we recommend it daily!" These kinds of sayings are always flying around and some stick with us and some float away like an epileptic butterfly. The ones that stick with us are usually pretty inspiring and this is why they stick. Plus, double-sided tape. You can get anything to stick with double-sided tape. It's not as strong as super glue though, so don't glue your hardhat to a bridge and try to hang from the bridge by your hardhat. Please tell me you're old enough to remember that commercial? They actually had a guy hanging from a bridge by his hardhat that's been stuck to the bridge with superglue. I never understood how his head was staying in the hard hat. Did he superglue his head to the hardhat? WTF? You know what? Let me see if I can find the commercial on Youtube.

I found it!!!!

Super Glue Commercial

So I guess he was holding the hard hat with his hands, but I still think it's probably not the safest way to test superglue. Just an uneducated guess though. I am not an expert on hanging from bridges by your hard hat. I apologize to all the hard-hat-bridge-hanger enthusiasts out there. If I offended you, I promise it will get better. Hang in there!

 Let's get back on track. I love the Zig Zag Ziglar quote because it states such a simple point, but it's a point we often forget. It is of vast importance that we find ways to motivate ourselves daily because like my armpits, the good times do not last. It's easy to hear motivational quotes and feel as though they're obvious and they are obvious, but it's not actually something we think about daily. And that's the trick! That is the hardest part of it all; how to motivate yourself daily.  

If you've read any of my other blog posts you know I've been on a new path lately. As the old saying goes; "I've turned over a new plant." In the past, I've struggled with motivation, but the inspiration was never a problem. Getting inspired can happen from seeing a picture, hearing a song, having a conversation with a friend, or any other daily activity. So what happens after we get inspired? We get the various needed supplies that we can afford to start or continue the project. I never have a problem going shopping for supplies. I've got the shopping part nailed down. I would go over my technique when it comes to shopping, but that's not the point of this post. I'll just tell you the main key when shopping for supplies. Money. You need money. The more the better. Preferably a big jar that you keep hidden somewhere with lots and lots of stinky green cash! That's the key. You're welcome.

So what do we do after we get the supplies? We give it a shot! The new guitar you're going to play every day! The colored pen set you're going to make a million badass drawings with. The $300 program on the computer that does God knows what. It's going to be a beautiful new beginning to massive amounts of creative creations! One creation - BAM! Two creations - BAM! Three creations - BAM! aaaaannnnnnd then we misplace our motivation. The inspiration is still strong, but the motivation has dwindled out. I will say though, it's not lost like we usually think, it's just misplaced. 

It's important to understand there will be down days. There is nothing you can do about it, but just know it's okay. If you are having a down day it is a perfect time to go over the things you're trying to accomplish. There is nothing wrong with good ol' fashion pen and paper. Having things written down for me to look at many times throughout the day helps keep me on track. If I get stuck on a particular project it can be demotivating and that feeling can spiral into a lack of confidence. There have been many times when I've had that feeling and I look at my list of goals and I will notice something on the list, often an easy task, and I'll move on to that task. It helps get me out of the funk, plus finishing something, even if it's small, is a good feeling that probably releases endorphins or some other intelligent thing that people say. 

An important part of making the list is to put down every last thing you can think of. Just putting something like; post blog is not good enough. It needs to have all the pieces that go into making the blog or whatever project it is you're working on. Things like; Come up with an idea for my blog. Figure out where I am going to post my blog. Update my socials when I'm almost done with my blog so I can let people know to look out for it. Send a message to people that I would like to help me promote my blog and see if they will promote it for me. Look up the best hashtags for my type of blog. Watch videos on how to promote my work, etc. These are just off the top of my head, but obviously, you would go much deeper and into more detailed things that fit whatever it is you're doing. 

It seems the main key to getting or staying motivated is taking that first step. If you can get yourself to watch an educational video or read articles, blogs, books, etc that cover your passion you're already making the right move. "A body in motion tends to stay in motion and a body at rest tends to stay at rest." ~ Elvis Presley 

I imagine Elvis came up with that idea when he was at rest on the toilet, but I'm not up to speed on my famous violinist quotes. Either way, "the Duke" makes a good point. If you can get yourself motivated enough to just get started then usually good things will follow. Just click on that informative video and there is a good chance after watching it you will do something to put your passion into motion. Just read an article about something that pertains to whatever it is your working on and keep notes. I can't tell you how important old fashion notes are to keep. Not literally old fashion notes. You don't have to go to an antique store and find some old, ass notebook or anything like that. Just take some damn notes!

I'm also going to let you in on a little secret; the reason I am writing this particular subject for this blog post is that I have been down lately. I wouldn't say I am depressed because I think that word is so overused. Most of the time you're just unmotivated or sad. And just a quick reminder; It's okay to be sad sometimes. It happens to all of us. Accept that it is happening and take things slowly. You'll get back on track. If you are genuinely depressed then please don't be afraid to tell someone. Talking to another person can be more helpful than you might think. 

So, as I said, one of the reasons I am writing this is to help myself! I am hoping that by giving out a few motivating words I will help others while also helping myself. It's a win-win, or if you're a fan of the hit TV show, The Office, it's a win-win-win! If you are in need of some motivation try writing a blog! You don't have to publish it if you are not happy with it, but it may open the doors to something bigger. It may just be the little kick in the butt to get you going again too! If you do not feel comfortable with writing a blog at least write your thoughts down. I know it seems like I'm harping on the same thing over and over again and you are correct. I really think writing things down helps organize your brain. It gets your thoughts worked out a little bit and will help clear the path to start marching toward your goal once again!

The other thing that I think is really helpful and sort of goes with the writing-things-down suggestion is a focus board. Now, most people call them vision boards, but I am not a fan of that term because I think it plays too much into the idea that if you just envision what you want it will come to you. You may remember the popular book The Secret. It sold like hotcakes because a lot of people thought the book was about secret recipes. In case you haven't heard of the book, it is not about secret recipes. The book is about completely known recipes. There are no secrets in the book because the book has been PUBLISHED! Obviously, I'm joking. The book is about the theory around the Law of Attraction. The joke still stands though. How can you write a book called The Secret and not realize the irony of it. If you publish gazillions of copies, It's not much of a secret. 

The law of attraction may have some truth to it, but I think far too many people think they will win the lottery or something similar if they just envision it enough. I am not so naive to believe I know all the inner workings of the universe or spiritual world that would allow a law like this to exist, but I think what is truly helping people that swear by the book or the law of attraction theory is that they are focused. And I mean truly focused. Looking daily at a board with your goals on it is a great way to keep yourself on track. It is such a helpful tool to keep you motivated. My wife and I (or is it my wife and me? I always mess that up) have made a Vision Board except we call it a Focus Board. There is nothing wrong with envisioning your goals. In fact, I think it's a great idea! I am just more in the camp that the success comes from the person focusing daily on their goals as opposed to some sort of esoteric power or something like that. But, just to be clear, It's just an opinion. I don't know for sure. If it works for you to go with the law of attraction theory, then have at it. I ain't gonna stop you! My only suggestion is to recognize that nothing is going to just fall into your lap. Every once in a while things like this do happen, but it's very rare and to depend on something like that happening because you now have a vision board is absurd. You absolutely have to take action. 

My dad was never a very religious person, but he did like to say this one quote from the Bible: God helps those who help themselves. I believe it is from the book of Elvis if I remember right. My dad was big on the idea that nobody is going to just help you. You must help yourself and then help from others will come. Sort of like a deal with God. "Yeah, I'll help you, but you have to get off of your butt first!" I believe this quote is from the book of Celery Cyborg verse 4, chapter 20, but don't quote me on that. Actually, you can quote me. Just don't say my real name. I have a reputation to uphold. If people get the idea I helped write the Bible they may want me to give them free wine and fish or something. And I'm never walking on water again just to impress the party guests. My clothes stayed dry, but my sandals got completely soaked and it's past the return time limit so I was stuck with ruined sandals. Never walk on water with suede sandals. I don't know what I was thinking when I bought suede sandals. I mean, I don't even like suede or sandals! Weird.

So let's wrap up this discombobulated, unorganized chaos that I am pretending are coherent thoughts and get on with it. 

1. Write things down.

2. Read articles, blogs, etc about your passion.

3. Write things down.

4. Watch helpful videos and don't be afraid to contact the video creator if you have questions. You'd be surprised at how many people are willing to help others.

5. Write things down.

6. Make a Focus (vision) Board

7. Write things down.

8. Talk to random people when you are out and about. Networking is usually down the road a little bit after you've got the ball rolling, but it never hurts to start networking right away.

9. Write things up....I mean, down. Write things down. 

10. Do not try to do everything at once. You can do multiple things in one day, but try to do each of them separately so you are not getting distracted. Plus, finishing one or two things is better than starting 10 things and not finishing any of them. 

11. Write things sideways

12. Start a blog or at least start commenting on other blogs from people you like. 

12. Right things. Literally, make incorrect things correct. Nothing to do with writing. Did you think I was going to say something about writing? That's weird. You shouldn't assume things about me. I'm very offended that you did that and I will be filing a complaint with HR first thing in the afternoon. I would say, first thing in the morning, but that would require me waking up before noon and we both know that is not going to happen.

13. Last, but not least, Write things down. (you already knew I was going there, didn't you?) 

If you read all the way down this far then I am your biggest fan! I really appreciate it. Hopefully, I helped give you a little motivation and maybe a laugh or two. Remember you just need to do something every day. You do not need to save the world in one day. Keep adding to your success pile every day. 

Imagine a scale. On one side it is weighed down by everything that is holding you back and on the other side, it is ready to be weighed down from everything moving you forward. Just add a little to your side every day and watch as it slowly shifts its weight in your favor. It may take a long time and that is okay. Keep pushing every day. Don't let haters quench your fire. Use their hate to fuel your fire, but also remember that forgiveness is so important. Many times we are being held back because we can't get over something that pisses us off every time we think of it. I know it's not always easy, but letting go of grudges or hate-balls that form in your stomach is so unbelievably helpful. Hate and anger can weigh your soul down and you may not even know it. Let go. It's okay. You will get through it. We will get through it. I know you have it in you to make the necessary changes you need to. I believe in you and I don't even know you, but I know that most of us have burning desires and we just need some path correction when we stray. I believe in you. I believe in you. I believe in you!

Super quick recap:

• Motivation is like bathing; It doesn't last. That's why we recommend it daily
• Watch videos
• Read articles
• Think about where you want to be in the near term
• Think about where you want to be in the long term
• Remember there will be down days, but it won't last
• Just add one piece to the scale every day and it will eventually tilt in our favor
• Find ways to motivate yourself; Exercise, meditate, drink water, get a massage, take a shower, etc 
• Reevaluate where you are and think about what you were doing when you were motivated. You can get there again

Thank you for reading. I really do appreciate it. See ya next time!

Your friend,

Celery Cyborg aka Crypty McCryptorson aka Sevens Secret