13 BIG IDEAS TO KEEP YOU MOTIVATED

Done Is Better Than Perfect 

Procrastination is the enemy of progress. Your desire for perfection is just your insecurity around the idea what you have isn't good enough. You're rejecting your work before anyone else can because you're insecure and haven't been validated yet. Remember that the act of CREATING is enough and isn't something you have to justify. 

1% Better 100x Times

The first time you do anything you shouldn't expect anything except to less than great at it. Why would you be good at anything you haven't done 100 or even 1000 times? Instead of focusing on a result, focus on incremental improvement and remember that gaining experience is worthwhile and necessary in all things.

Only the SPRINT is "Saturated" 

Creators often get discouraged if they can't be the first to something or if their ideas don't feel original enough. They will often say a platform or niche, or market is too saturated to compete in. But there is not SATURATION of high-quality work, delivered with any consistency. The "Sprint" is saturated with low effort, low quality work, that lacks any consistency, and people who don't stick around. The "Marathon" is never saturated with people who execute at a high level, consistently showing up and staying around over a long and healthy career, or even just finishing what they started.

Collaborate Instead of Compete

Being competitive isn't always healthy. It's true that iron sharpens iron. It's also true that comparison is the thief of all joy. Instead of Competing, Collaborate with your peers. It's a healthier way to be challenged by them and to grow and learn from each other. It's also the best way to exchange value for value.

Burn Out Is Temporary 

Burnout is something most Creators fear and dread. Unfortunately, if you are pushing yourself and trying to grow you will inevitably face burnout.

When your efforts don't feel like they are matching your expectations and you find yourself frustrated with your process and not enjoying it anymore, and can't be motivated to do it, or it feels painful, that is what Burnout looks like.

When the process drains you instead of feeling fulfilling. 

The good news is that this too shall pass.

When Motivation Fails You, Discipline Will Not 

Most creative people feel they have to be motivated or feel in the mood to do their work or it won't be any good. This is a delusion that they leave behind when they work for someone else but overrules them when they become independent. 

You have to treat your creative work with the same respect you would any job or commitment. You must be disciplined and see things through. Finish what you start, regardless of whether you feel like it or not.

Most Criticism Isn't Constructive 

You don't need to learn to take criticism. You need to learn to take constructive criticism, recognize it, and apply it. Criticism without context is meaningless.

If someone doesn't understand the facts of a situation their criticism won't be factual or logical or accurate in most cases.

You need to be able to determine if the Criticism you are receiving is accurate, actionable, and well-intentioned advice (done in good faith).

There is no point in "taking" bad faith criticism, that you can't make any use of or doesn't fit the context of what you are actually trying to achieve. 

Talent Without Training Is Meaningless 

Potential or having natural or unearned advantages can seem like a guarantee of success. The problem is that potential or privilege is nothing in the face of someone who is more committed. Execution is everything, and refined execution will be the benefit of hard work and diligent practice.

Raw ability is just that, raw, it is not polished, refined, and tends to be inefficient and inconsistent in quality.

Consistency in execution and results is something talent cannot produce, but training can.

Don't Follow Your Passion 

Passion isn't something you follow, it's something that drives you. Let yourself be driven by passion but lead by reason. Passion is unreliable, it can fade, ebb and flow. What you need is Purpose, and a means to discover your purpose. 

To discover your purpose you may need to explore yourself and the world and to do that you will need to be thoughtful.

Open yourself up to Passion, let it fill you, drive you or even sustain you on your journey, but don't let it dictate your path. Let reason be your guide.

Just Add Value

One of my good friends Nick Nimmin always says "Just Add Value", and he is absolutely correct. When all else fails, think of how you can create value for another person. 

By focusing on adding value to others it will challenge you to make yourself someone who can be relied upon, and also someone who is more thoughtful, and often more capable. 

Become a person of value, and success will follow.

Lack of Curiosity Hurts Creativity

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but the lack of it is hurting your creativity. You need to stay curious and feed that curiosity to avoid stagnating and being uninspired. 

If you are feeling a lack of motivation and creativity you probably aren't feeding your creativity or exercising it. Reading books, listening to music, and even going for walks can all stimulate your creative brain and help you keep that spark alive and well.

Reduce Regrets at All Cost 

Stop trying to avoid pain and discomfort. Instead, choose to reduce and minimize the number of regrets you will have in life. Pain, rejection, facing fear, are all justifiable prices to pay if it means you don't have to live with regrets for not even trying.

A life well-lived should be your goal, and that will have a few painful experiences, but it should have the least amount of regrets possible.

Create Something Awesome Today 

Every single day is an opportunity to Create. Are you using it to do something worthy and something that adds value to yourself or other people? 

What can you do with today, even if it is just for 30 minutes that you can be proud of and know that it was worth your while?