"TIPs & QUIPs" Archive

Subject: Lifescope TIPs & QUIPs [02] "Awareness and Motivation"

TIPs & QUIPs, the free occasional e-mail of helpful hints and quotes (and
sometimes challenging suggestions) for getting the most from life.

In this issue:
     *** WiseWords
     *** This Issue's Theme
     *** Suggested Resources
     *** Thrive On! Recommended Site

*** WiseWords ***
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Tell me what you pay attention to and I will tell you who you are."  
     --Jose Ortega y Gasset

"We do not remember days, we remember moments."
     --Cesare Pavese

"A sufficiently big dream will generate its own enthusiasm to attain it."
     --Unknown

(For a collection of some of our favorite WiseWords, see our web page at
<http://www.lifescope.com/pages/WiseWords.html>.)


*** This issue's theme:  A W A R E N E S S  and  M O T I V A T I O N
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Hmmm... now this may seem to be a strange combination. At first blush, we
usually think of 'awareness' as a quieting down and tuning into what's going
on around or within us. 'Motivation' on the other hand, smacks of powerful
action and overcoming tall obstacles against all odds.

'Motivation' has been tainted by the glut of modern-day success preachers --
the many snake-oil salesmen promising that you can do anything if you simply
'get motivated.' Their revival-style shows generate pumped up enthusiasm,
which invariably falls off after a few days.

Well, I suggest that we each possess great supplies of constant-power
Motivation... ...and that these are best tapped into, by simple Awareness.

Now, I'm not talking here about a high-level consciousness, as in perceiving
one's place in the cosmos. No, this is about the down-and-dirty everyday
awareness that's just one step up from mere attention. There are multiple
levels of awareness we navigate every living moment. We can consciously focus
or drift into more aware states, then get distracted to another level of
awareness about something else. This is human nature -- and one of our
strengths, actually. [It's an evolution of the reptilian reticular-activating
system -- an excellent survival mechanism.]

But if we continually bounce around this way, we never get a chance to solidly
and consciously connect with our motives -- the sources of our great energy.
To be specific, motivations fall into two distinct categories: survival, and
self-actualization. You will attend to the survival motives (hunger, safety,
procreation) before you'll move up the hierarchy. (Of course, if you still had
unmet survival motives, you wouldn't be reading this anyway.)

So we're really talking about the higher motives -- social, esteem, and way
high up, actualization.

Awareness is the key to greater motivation, because clarifying (and sometimes
confronting) what our real motives are, is all it takes to begin tapping them
for positive results. The absolute best place to start, is to know what your
values are. What matters most to you, really? What's important? Love, respect,
knowledge, money? What do those really mean to you?

Sorry, no quick fix here; no instant motivation. On the other hand, the moment
you realize how important something is to you, you are motivated to bring more
of it into your life. Values are the foundation your life is built upon, and
further, what gives it real meaning -- and this is what provides motivational
energy.

So to be truly motivated, simply be honestly aware of what it is that
motivates you. That's what 'getting motivated' really is. It is not pumping
yourself up -- that's artificial and temporary. 'Awareness' will open the
floodgates of enthusiasm, which begets achievement (the topic of a future
discussion). If you don't like something you become aware of, that's okay --
that simple act will is the first step towards dealing with it. (Character
Development is also a future topic.) Meanwhile, following are some helpful
tools.


*** Suggested Resources ***
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Search of Values: 31 Strategies for Finding Out What Matters Most
  by Dr. Sidney B. Simon Description: Psychologists agree that understanding
your personal value system is the key to taking positive action in your life.
This book presents 31 exploratory exercises for finding out what really
matters to you. Understand yourself and begin building a strong character
foundation.
     (softcover book, 103pp) Item# E2118-BK
          SRP$8.99  (see link for special price)
     [sorry, no longer available]

21 Days to Self-Discovery
  led by Carol Price Description: Define what you want in life - and discover
how to get it, from this CareerTrack seminar on tape. This insightful program
shows you how to define your lifelong dreams, clarify your values, and
identify the fears that keep you from going for it. Includes 24 page workbook.
     (4 audiotapes, 4 hrs) Item# G1227-AU
          SRP$49.95  (see link for special price)
        Buy this item online now at Lifescope.com.


Pure Motivation v2.0
  by Insights Software Description: Combination screen-saver and start-up
quote for the day, with 1,000 inspirational nuggets from more than 250 of the
nation's leading figures. Or customize it with your own pearls o' wisdom.
     (Windows software on 3.5 disk) Item# E6116-SW
          SRP$34.95  (see link for special price)
        Buy this item online now at Lifescope.com.

*** Thrive On! Recommended Site ***
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Psychological Self-Help, Chap. 14  <http://www.cmhc.com/psyhelp/chap14> 
This site contains the complete text of this definitive book, online. It 
provides you with a system for analyzing any problem into its manageable parts 
and for planning self-change. This chapter is about methods for changing our
thoughts, attitudes, self-concept, motivation, values, and expectations. Very 
thorough,and very well written. Definitely not digestible in one sitting, though!


DISCLAIMER
The contents herein are solely the opinions of Lifescope editors, and should 
not be considered as a form of therapy nor advice. There is no guarantee of 
validity or accuracy. Lifescope therefore assumes no responsibility for injury
and specifically disclaims any warranty, express or implied, of fitness or 
merchantability for a particular purpose. Besides, actual mileage may vary.

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