One of the circles that I run in is that of professional speakers. It allows me to be around people that are much smarter than me. And that pushes my limits and makes me grow into a better speaker, a better person, and a better business owner. When I tell people about my amazing experience with Toastmasters and the National Speakers Association, there is one thing that I hear all of the time:
“Oh, that is so cool. I’ve always wanted to be a motivational speaker!”
While I admire someone’s aspirations to motivate others, I also cringe a little at a new speaker entering the market with the primary goal of being a motivational speaker.
Why? Because motivation has become too easy. We are in a world that has a plethora of problems and quick solutions, so we turn to “motivation” to make us feel better temporarily. We keep motivational sayings around us (I have five around me at my desk), and we seek out people who can make us feel better about bad situations.
The challenge with motivation is that it is always temporary. It does not actually help you achieve amazing success. Motivation wears off fast. And people are back to the reality that there are some things in their life that are just not pleasant. How do we fix this? I don’t know that I have all the answers, but I can tell you that more than motivation …
People needs lessons on how to run their lives better
Motivation is easy. Work is hard. But too often you and I take the easy path towards success. We think if we just keep reading more motivation that success will just come.
Screw that. Stop seeking out more motivation.
Instead look to follow people that are giving you great lessons on how to accomplish the quantifiable things that you aspire to have and do during your time on this planet.
Want to be a millionaire?
Don’t follow someone that tells you that you can have a million dollars if you just work hard. Instead follow someone who is giving you step-by-step instructions on what it takes to make $100 a month, then $1,000, and then $10,000. Find someone who is great at teaching you things that you can easily replicate in your own life.
There is an interesting side effect once you start taking the steps from a great teacher. The journey with that teacher will automatically become motivating.
Remember: Less thinking and wishing. More doing and winning.
Your friend in success,
Patrick Allmond