What gets you out of bed in the morning?

What is your primary goal?

People often confuse motivation and drive as being the same thing, when in all actuality, they are completely different.

A motivational speaker that I've been listening to put it this way:

Motivation is your reason for pursuing a goal. What motivates you to practice your instrument every day? More skills. What motivates you to eat healthy and exercise? To look better and live longer.

These are mere examples, but the concept can be blown into something that more of us can relate to.

I want to be financially successful and stable (or rich, depending on how you see it). What is my motivation? A better life for me and my family.

I want to work in the music industry for the rest of my life. What is my motivation? A passion for creativity that has lived within me since I was young.

Now, let's talk about drive. What's the difference? The motivational speaker continues...

Drive is the energy that comes from your bones. It is condensed grit and determination. It is what keeps you going when you just want to give up.

Many people have the motivation to succeed, but not so many have the drive. Not so many are willing to put in the hard work. It's all about instant gratification these days.

But not everyone falls prey to the entrapments of our flesh. The part of us that just wants everything to be easy.

Some people are willing to push through it all, because they know that they alone are in control of their destiny. Without the hard work, they'll never achieve the goal. Anything worth having takes sacrifice.

Those who are where you want to be right now had the RIGHT motivation, and the right AMOUNT of drive. Their journey was no cake walk - but not one of them would say that the journey wasn't worth the spoils.

Determine what your goals are. Then determine your motivation for said goals. Then light a fire under your ass, and NEVER GIVE UP.

You can go much farther, and do far more, than you might think.

CH