Shownotes
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy
Welcome to Day 414 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
10 Obstacles That Destroy Motivation
Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 414 of our trek, and today is Motivation Monday. Every Monday we hike the trails of life that will encourage and motivate you to live a rich and satisfying life this week. Today we will explore the 10 obstacles that destroy motivation on life’s trek and how to avoid them.
We are broadcasting from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. When this episode airs we will be back at The Big House for about 10 days. We have a good bit of traveling between Marietta and Charlotte through the remainder of this year, plus at least one more trip to Arizona planned. So, life does not appear to be slowing down much in the foreseeable future. Different seasons of life require different focus. We are thankful to be in good health and have the opportunities to continue to grow, learn, and enjoy life.
Enjoying life even with its trials and tribulations is a choice that we make each day. No one that I know of is immune to the challenges in life, and many of the people that appear to “have it all together” may just be dealing with their issues from a different perspective. Managing the challenges of life with the proper motivation and attitude makes all the difference. We are certainly not immune to economic upheavals, interpersonal issues, family trials, balancing life, and managing expectations. It boils down to consistent persistence and preserving when others would give up. We are quite ordinary folks and are proof that great things can happen to ordinary people if they work hard and never give up.
On our trek for today, let us explore how to overcome…
10 Obstacles That Destroy Motivation
As we go through our trek of life each day, we come across obstacles that can take the wind out of our sails, which can cause us to lose our motivation. Preparing for these obstacles ahead of time and knowing how to combat them can help us to keep moving forward. Here are the 10 common obstacles that you might face.
1. Worry
Worry is the most unproductive of all human activities. Although all of us have concerns about a variety of issues throughout each day, but when it crosses the line to worry, then it becomes troubling. Worry will stifle you. Most worry is unfounded and is about situations that we have no control over. Ask yourself this question when you find yourself beginning to worry. Do I have any control over this situation? If you do, then come up with a solution. If you do not, then there is nothing you can do about it, so stop worrying. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?”
2. Fear
Closely tied to worry is fear. I like the acronym for fear that helps to keep it in perspective, which is False Evidence Appearing Real. Unless it is a situation where we will lose life or limb, there is no reason to be fearful. Fear is a state of mind, and most of what we fear will never come to pass. Many times what we fear is based on ego and pride. Fear can shut you down from moving forward, and it can destroy a life of abundance. The Apostle Paul told his apprentice Timothy in his 2nd letter to him, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” So do not fear, instead be motivated to move confidently forward with power, love, and self-discipline.
3. Crossing bridges that you have not come to
Although it is good to plan and prepare, your life is still fluid in this fast paced technology driven world. Don’t attempt to cross bridges that you have not come to yet. With the trails of life constantly changing, you really don’t know what bridges you will come upon in the future. When you do come to a bridge, you will have the appropriate wisdom and insight to cross it at that time. If not, then it is a learning experience for you, and you will gain the needed skills to cross the bridge at that time. After all, you can only cross one bridge at a time.
4. Handling multiple problems at once
No one has the capability to multi-task. It is impossible. Even computers can only handle one command at a time. You may be faster or slower than others in handling the tasks of life, but you still can only complete them one at a time. Don’t try to solve all of your problems at once, take them in a logical order, and continue forward, motivated that you will handle them all. The age old question of “How do you eat an elephant?” is always answered, “One bite at a time.” And so it is with issues in life. Take them one at a time without losing your forward motion.
5. Sleeping with your problems
Problems make poor bedfellows. At the end of each day, set any remaining problems aside. Never take them to bed with you. If they are important, they will still be there the next day. Problems have a way of shrinking during the night. So leave them alone, and if the problems are truly important, they will still be there the next day, and you can be motivated to handle them once you are well rested and full of energy. With your mind at rest, you may have the solution needed by the next day.
6. Borrowing other people’s problems
You likely have enough of your own issues to deal with, don’t take on the problems of others. They are best suited to handle their own issues. Too many times we take on the problems of others when we have not even dealt with our own. If another person attempts to put their monkeys on your back, don’t let them. You have your own circus to deal with. Once you have completed all of your pressing issues, then choose wisely on helping others. They may need to go through their own problems if they are going to grow and mature.
7. Bringing yesterday into today
Do not relive yesterday, for good or ill. It is forever gone. Concentrate on what is happening today. Live today to the fullest, and focus on making an impact today. You may not be where you want to be yet, but you are one-day closer. As the Apostle Paul told the Philippian church in Chapter 4:13-14, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
8. Not listening
Only when you listen, do you hear ideas different than you own. It is hard to learn something new when you are talking, and some people do know more than you do. I am not sure about you, but I have learned very little when I am talking. Listening and learning from others can spur you on with new ideas and new action plans. Yes, make sure you are listening to wise and positive people, but be willing to listen and learn. As Proverbs 21:23 tells us, “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.”
9. Frustration
Do not become “bogged down” by frustration, for 90% of it is rooted in self-pity and will only interfere with positive action. When you find yourself becoming frustrated, you have two choices. Either come up with a solution to overcome what is frustrating you and put the plan into action, or drop it and move on. If you have no control over the source of frustration, then there is no reason to allow it to continue to frustrate you. Move on and move forward.
10. Counting your blessings when life’s trails are rough
There are blessings in every situation you face, no matter how difficult it may appear. Never overlook even the smallest of blessings, for a lot of small blessings add up to big ones. We all have so much to be thankful for. Make it a habit of praying this simple prayer each morning, “Dear God, Today I woke up. I am alive. I am healthy. Can’t ask for more. Thank you.”
Today on our trek we explored 10 obstacles that we all face on life’s trek that can destroy our motivation. When you find your motivation for life waning, come back to this list and read through it again and set out on your trek with a new resolve. It is always worth it.
Tomorrow’s short trek is part of our Wisdom Unplugged series that we are now hiking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These 2-3 minute wisdom supplements will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise throughout the entire week. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
That will finish our trek for today. Just as you enjoy these daily doses of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person and inviting them to come along with us each day. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek so each trek will be downloaded to you automatically.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek together, let us always:
- Live Abundantly (Fully)
- Love Unconditionally
- Listen Intentionally
- Learn Continuously
- Lend to others Generously
- Lead with Integrity
- Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!