Motivation

One thing that dogs me constantly is motivation.  As in the lack thereof.  Inertia is my enemy, I realize, one that sneaks up on me wearing the best of intentions.  No really, you deserve a day off from this relentless job hunt.  Won't hurt a thing, I promise.  Just a day to relax and not have to search a gazillion job boards.  It sounds reasonable, it sounds nice, it sounds like good advice when all is said and done.  Sometimes you do need a day off.

Lately it has become too easy to take a day off too often.  Like for several days straight.  Too easy to justify not looking today.  It's a holiday week, no one will be posting anyway.  No, really, I need time to think about this thing or that thing, how to craft my resume or cover letter; to think about if this is really a good fit.  So I step away from the computer, step away from the job hunt.  Step away from the work that will feed my intentions. And the more steps I take away from it all, the harder it is to get back to it.


I tell myself that I just need a little motivation. Something to spur me on, to invigorate and inspire me.  Something that will renew my energy and propel me back to where I need to be.  I keep looking for it, expecting to find it hidden away somewhere, like a child playing hide and go seek.  Thinking that it will pop out from unexpected nook and yell "surprise!"  But it hasn't.

I read once that motivation follows action.  It is about as true a statement as I have ever encountered.  Motivation does not spring forth unbidden from some magic lamp.  Motivation does not arise like the sun, requiring us only to stretch, yawn and step out of bed to greet it.  Motivation is a catalyst - something that, when added to action, spurs it on and accelerates the process.  If there is nothing there for it to act on, it is inert.

Today I am taking the first steps, restarting the engine and trusting that motivation has built up in the environment, just waiting for that spark to get it moving.  Truthfully, it is a battle, but one that I will win.  Because motivation follows action.  And acting is what I intend to do today.