Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory. – Mahatma Gandhi

This is probably another sign that I am officially old, but I have thought a lot lately about the little lessons I learned while playing sports when I was younger.

One of the big lessons was that those times when I really did apply maximum effort, it worked.

Those times when I pushed harder than I thought I could always resulted in something I didn’t think I could achieve.

Looking back on it now, it really proves how dumb of a kid I was that I didn’t really figure it out then, but it worked every time.

I’m sure by now you are wondering how this applies to those of us who aren’t currently on a high school sports team.

Motivation.

It all starts there. We have to be extremely motivated in order to give maximum effort.

When it comes to motivation, the best advice I can give is to start where you are.

By that I mean to start with what motivates you, right now.

Sure, it would be ideal if you were more motivated by world peace than you are by looking cool, but if looking cool gets you going, go with it.

This may be immaturity speaking, but I think that our motivations will mature naturally as we seek to make a bigger and bigger impact. That’s why I think it’s ok to start small.

Want to fit into that bathing suit?

Impress that girl? (My wife….I sure hope she likes this email.)

Grab that new gadget?

Want those new cool shoes?

Crush the competition?

Just because it’s cool?

Go get it. Apply maximum effort. Check it off the list. Reflect, reassess and go for the next one with that same gusto.

Make it a great day.

Jake