All month we’ve been revisiting our goals that we set in January and have talked about what it means to have grit as we go for them.
Today, let’s talk about why, why we’re going for our dreams. The why forms the core of your grit.
The path to our dreams can seem long and treacherous at times so we need to figure out a deep and compelling reason why we want to achieve our goals and dreams. Without a reason that reaches to our core, when the going gets tough, and especially when it seems nearly impossible, we’ll give up.
Our dreams are too important to give up! We must press on, no matter what! And a reason that reaches into the very essence of us will be strong enough to compel us forward in spite of what’s going on around us.
What are some deeply compelling reasons—a why—that will motivate us?
One of the most famous lines from the movie Gone with the Wind is when and she vows to never be hungry again. We watched her survive a war with all its horrors and tragedy and, when she says this, we know she will make it come true no matter what.
Our why doesn’t have to be fancy or approved by someone in authority. All it has to be is something that is very, very important to us and a reason that has deep and profound meaning to us, such as Scarlet swearing to God that she and her family will never be hungry again.
Other reasons are:
~fed up with the small life you’re living;
~fed up with living hand to mouth
~fed up with not being able to provide a decent life for your family
More positive reasons are:
~loving doing a particular activity such as photography, knitting, building things, having your environment neat and orderly;
~feeling really good inside when you live a certain way such as when you reach out a helping hand, when you’ve met a challenge you’ve given yourself, or being a role model;
~you’re good at a particular activity, skill, or ability, and you enjoy doing it.
Notice that “negative” things can be as powerfully motivating as the more positive reasons.
Take the time today to come up with some reasons why you’re going for your dreams. Don’t worry about them being too negative or too positive. All that’s necessary is that they are deeply meaningful to you.
As time goes on, you’ll find that your why will change, and that’s fine and normal. Especially with the negative motivators, you’ll find over time that the edges will round off and they’ll become more positive. This is just fine. No worries!
My why is that I’m feeling hemmed in by my current life—I’m getting fed up with the sameness of it. I want to reach out beyond my boundaries and experience new things, meet new people, go new places, have new experiences.
What are some of your reasons why you’re going for your goals? Share in the comments below!
Please pass this post along to your friends—thanks!
Your Friend and Pep Pal,
Lauren
Yes I Can Pep Talks 
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