Motivation to Succeed

Football stimulates many emotions. Fans maintain almost fanatical loyalty. As evidenced by the massive team jerseys, bumper stickers, and ever imaginable item in the team colors or team logo sold on a daily basis. Game day in Denver seems to turn orange and blue. I even knew a man who was so an avid fan that he decorated his Christmas tree in the team colors.

Football teaches teamwork, sportsmanship (hopefully) and strategic planning. Another unexpected motivation appeared in the story of a college quarterback. I applaud his initiative both before and after the play.

The two minute warning had recently been issued indicating that the game was nearing completion. Before the team returned to the field to take possession of the ball, the coach instructed the quarterback to “play it safe.” His team led the scoring by 6 points. Being conservative at this point in the game with possession of the ball should result in a victory. This particular quarterback possessed an excellent throwing arm but he was not known for his speed on the field.

Being an innovative and daring young man, this quarterback took charge of the pre-play huddle with the statement, “The other team expects us to be conservative and so does coach. Let’s surprise both of them and add one more score. Billy, you go long and I’m going to throw a pass to you. We’ll go out in a blaze of glory.”

The quarterback indeed threw a long pass. When the quarterback dropped back and launched the ball into the air, the opposing cornerback (a champion sprinter) sprung into motion. The cornerback intercepted the pass and raced for the end zone. The quarterback immediately raced after the cornerback and tackled him on the five yard line as the clock ticked to a close. After the game the losing coach spoke to the winning coach, “I thought you said your quarterback was not a runner. He just ran down my best sprinter.” The winning coach grinned and said, “Your cornerback was running for 6 points, but my quarterback was running for his life.”

Motivation comes in many forms.

Are you highly talented and running for six points or less talented but extremely motivated?

Motivation plays a major role in every decision we make. When the stakes are high, we take more risks. Playing it safe in life and business yields very small results. In “Failing Forward” by John C. Maxwell, he wrote,” Risk must be evaluated not by the fear it generates in you or the probability of your success, but by the value of the goal.” The quarterback of the winning team placed a very high value on the goal of catching the opposing sprinter.

How badly do you desire to change your life? How important is it to you to achieve financial freedom for yourself and your family? What value do you place on your internal feeling of security and accomplishment? Most of us place an extremely high value on the well being of our family. We say we want the best for our family. We give lip service to being a great provider, not just getting by but really providing for our loved ones.

How motivated are you to put those feelings into action? When are you ready and willing to bring those words to reality? Sometimes being able to bring those feeling into reality becomes more a matter of excuses than reasons.

Motivation is the key. How motivated are you to make success a reality for you?

When do you plan to start?

For more thoughts and articles to improve your life, visit me at Elaine4Success.com.