Motivated to Do, Not Just Know
As individuals we have long heard the saying, “knowledge is power”; but what good is knowledge without the motivation to do? As a child we might have seen someone being bullied and although we knew it was wrong, we did nothing about it. As a teenager, we knew that skipping class, doing drugs, drinking, and cheating on test was wrong; we were not strong enough mentally to do the opposite. As an adult, we eat the wrong foods, make excuses why we don’t exercise, stay in bad relationships, and just live our life with the idea that we know. Knowing is not enough, we must do.
When an individual learns that they have diabetes, some are now motivated to do, rather than just know. When an individual hears that they have high blood pressure and cholesterol, they are now motivated to do, rather than just know. When a woman is with a man that belittles her, mentally, physically, and emotionally abuses her and one day he puts her in the hospital with life threatening results; she is now motivated to do, rather than just know. When an individual wakes up one morning and wonders, “is there more to life than this”, they realize that all the knowledge they have means nothing if there is not a motivation, something inspired within them- they must do.
There is no greater power in life than to be motivated to do something with the knowledge you have, instead of just using it to make money or reach a level of authority within a company or organization. How many children have you spoken with lately and told them about your experiences as a child, the importance of education, importance of building character, importance of standing up for those that are unable to stand up for themselves? Rather than pointing the finger and judging the teenagers of today, remember a time when you had to make a decision that could have negatively influenced the rest of your life and you wish there was someone there to give you a bit of wisdom. Today is different than a decade ago, it is even different than 5 years ago- the teenagers of today are living life and making decisions with the resources we provide for them, why keep those resources to yourself?
How many adults have you talked to that have said, “I know I should, but. . . .?” What a way to begin a sentence for an excuse to the rest of their life. So many words that can be used in that sentence, “I know I should eat better, but I just don’t have time”, “I know I should eat better, but I don’t have money”, “I know I should exercise, but I work too much”, “I know I should leave him, but I don’t have a job”, I know I should leave him, but I love him”, “I know I should try, but I am just not motivated to do anything.”
Do you really have as much power as you thought when you stop to think about the ways you share that knowledge to empower yourself and others?
Tips to Get Motivated to Do:1) Surround yourself by those that are living with a purpose, with motivation2) Identify foundations or organizations of interest (child advocacy, cancer, education, community development)3) Look in the mirror, who do you see? If you are able to feel joy within than you are living your life with knowledge and motivation. But if you feel like you could be or should be doing more with your life, jump up to step 1.
