Who’s Driving? You Are.

Most of us get our driver’s license when we’re 16. Some may even get their own car. But having “drive” has nothing to do with four wheels. It has to do with that fire inside of you. We all have it. Some more than others.

It begins as a little spark and is ignited by the things we love. Or want. Maybe it’s money that pushes you to stay late at the office, or wanting to lose weight that gets you out of bed on a cold morning to go for a run. Or perhaps it’s the love of music that pushes you to practice until your fingers bleed. Whatever it is, it’s the fuel that’s needed to work on your own projects after you get home from a long day of work. I know. I’ve been doing it for years.

Why are some people more motivated than others? Is their desire greater? Are they willing to work harder? Perhaps they just have a stronger belief that anything they set out to do will be accomplished. But even someone with ambition is in danger of having their spark doused. Aspiration can be a double-edged sword. It might lead you to strive for perfection or possibly make you second-guess what you’re creating has any value. And then there are others who may try to extinguish your flame with criticism or unkindness, to say nothing about an illness that could knock you down.

But it is possible to rekindle that fire. Think back to the moment when that spark inside of you flickered for the first time. What triggered it? An idea? A dream? Simply believing that flame can reappear is all it takes. Like striking a lighter over and over until the spark ignites the fuel, the same is true with your own inner spark. Not giving up is succeeding.

My newest book, released this week, 90 Lessons for Living Large in 90 Square Feet (…or more), almost didn’t happen. It took a whole lot of motivation and believing I could get it done. It also took encouragement, support and feedback, to which I say to you, my readers; thank you for fanning the flames all these years.