The secret of getting motivated is very simple.
Decide what you want to do, and then have someone tell you that you can’t do it.
The “it” I am referring to could be anything. It could be your desire to play an instrument, become a teacher, or even start a band. Having someone call you out and challenge your stick-to-it-ness is a sure fire way of determining your resolve.
When someone challenges you like this you have a choice…you can get mad or you can get motivated. Let me illustrate.
I was just cleaning up my room getting various papers and receipts ready for tax season (yay!), and I found an envelope with the following statement scribbled on it:
As far as I’m concerned Super Deluxe is a dead project.
You have to realize that the guy that said this to me over a year ago is Chris Moon, who was a part of the group in early 2008 while we were putting the band together and preparing to record our studio demo. He was a key part of the group at the time and challenged me as to whether it was going to happen.
Now, at the moment he said that to me, I had a choice. I was in control over my actions and my attitude. I could either get mad at Chris for what he said. Or I could get motivated to see the project through to inception. I chose the latter.
As far as Chris was concerned the band was dead. But as far as I was concerned the band was going to happen. As far as I was concerned, we were going to get our demo recorded, our website built, our gigs booked, and our clients satisfied. I was already motivated to do my part to build the band, and nothing, not even Chris’ negative attitude, was going to get in my way.
Life is all about making choices. Chris had a choice, and I had a choice. He decided to get mad and I decided to get motivated. And now Super Deluxe is at the top of everyone’s list of Charleston wedding bands.
So, my moral to this story is:
When you have a choice…don’t get mad. Get motivated. And when someone tells you that you can’t do something that you are determined to do, don’t tell them you’re gonna do it. Just do it.
Further Reading
Super Deluxe Is Charleston’s Premier Party Band℠
“Education Is the Building of the Person.”
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice one, Wil.
Thank you, Ben! I hope you are well, my friend. I hope we get to make some music again this year!
Wil I love this! You are so right! I have been tested by the mad or motivation choice several times and it really takes that vision you see at the end of the road to keep you going! Looks like life is going well for you! Congrats and I hope you are doing well in your journey =)
Hope to hear your band one day too!!! Let me know if you guys are ever in the Wilmington area.
Thank you for weighing in, Cortney! Short term, flipping my lid is fun and allows me to blow off steam. Long term, getting motivated and turning my frustration into action is always a better plan. Plus the motivation road prevents me from burning any bridges with those that might be intentionally pushing my buttons. Hope to see you and your growing family this year!