Making Time For Your Passions

 Many people think motivation entails thoughts like "just do it" or "fight through the pain" or "It'll get better later".  Although this can be true, motivation is not only comprised of grit.  Motivation is supported by many other character qualities such as time management and personal interest or investment.  I don't mean this in terms of just work or academics, but rather as a way to look at life overall.  The best motivator is to focus on the things that bring us true joy, not just pleasure.  

One of the things in my life that bring me joy, is research concerning current and modern political events in the United States and abroad.  For many people, this would be one of the last things that they would do just for kicks - I can be a little bit odd in that regard.  Politics is just on of the things in which I can find joy in researching.  I am not suggesting that everybody do something like research as a method of finding true joy.  What I mean is this:  Doing things that are uplifting and educational are things that are most likely to provide you with a sense of purpose, meaning, and joy - even if these things may be "nerdy" or "weird", they don't need to be some sort of "guilty pleasure".  You can just allow the things that bring you peace and joy to become a part of who you are, and then use them to motivate yourself to do the things that need to be done, especially if times are hard.  

This concept can most especially be applied to the small things such as exercise, or doing the dishes.  The simple joys in your life don't have to only be associated with your "free time" either.  They can be integrated into your daily life through careful planning, allowing you the energy and motivation to do whatever unsavory tasks that may be left over.   I would encourage all who are reading this today to focus on what they love, and use them as a method of generating the motivation necessary to complete the daily, mundane tasks of life, as well as things that may be more difficult than normal. 

Here is a personal example.  Even though I am 30 years old, I still enjoy Legos.  I simply use them as a motivator, allowing me to get the unpleasant tasks done.  If I am successful, I get to purchase or spend time with my Lego hobby.  This tactic has been extremely successful in helping me push through the doldrums of life, and I encourage all of you to do the same.  Remember, do all that you can to reach anyways.