Motivation is like fire that burns -- it gives heat, or energy to a
person so that he or she could move forward. Motivation works best if it
burns from the inside -- self-motivation. Just like the boiler of a
steam engine ... to get the engine running, the fire must burn from
within; if the fire is on the outside, the best that fire (or perhaps a
blast) could do is: (1) change the course its direction, (2) move it in
a direction, but only to see it stop after a moment, (3) get burnt ,or damaged body.
The inner motivation can be
described in 3 levels: (1) flickers like a candlelight fire, (2) burns
like a camp fire, (3) blazes like a forest fire.
Level 1:
The
fire could easily be put out with the slightest and gentle breeze.
Weak, this level of inner motivation easily fades out under pressure.
Level
2:
This is the inner motivation, controlled but needs more fuel to keep burning. It is sufficient and optimal -- something every person should have, at least. We all have a fire within that drives us forward ... but from time to
time, it needs outside help to keep it up. Encouragement,
commendation, recognition, rewards, or just a simple pat-on-the-back could go a long way.
Sometimes, we don't get the needed wood to
help keep our fire burning -- not when needed most, we should
understand the make of our motivation. What motivates us? For me, its a
simple inspiring word, a great movie, imagination, comics, exercise
etc. -- the list goes on and on ... find these factors, or wood
yourself and have them ready so that you can do the adding-more-sticks
yourself, when needed.
Level 3:
This is when you have a blazing
forest fire-like inner motivation. I believe this is the greatest level
of motivation. It keeps burning, and the more it burns the greater it
becomes. It doesn't need any re-fuelling ... nothing can stop it and
what more, it devours anything that comes in its way. Any obstacles
placed before it, it just fries it.
Moreover,
just like
forest-fires, this kind of inner motivation is over-flowing from
inside. It's so great, it spreads around and it gets bigger and bigger.
So, after reading this, take time to ponder over this ... which level
am I in? Is my inner motivation blazing like forest fire?