Grow-up: You have one life

"I don't have time,"; "I am very busy,"; "yes, I know I should do it, but"; those are a few of the excuses we make daily to convince ourselves that even if we woke up, we could not do anything about it.

It's often said that life is a journey, not a destination. And while it's true that we all have to keep moving forward, it's also important to remember that life is dynamic and constantly changing. Just as we experience different seasons in our lives, we also go through various cycles - some long and some short. And just as it's essential to take care of our physical bodies as they grow and change, it's also crucial to take care of our whole selves - mind, body, and spirit. When we pay attention to all aspects of our being, we can live more fully and authentically. We can also be more present for the people and experiences in our lives.

You're always young enough to learn and grow. That's one of the great things about life – it's always moving forward. Even when we experience setbacks, we can pick ourselves up and keep going. And while chronological growth is undoubtedly there, it's not the only aspect of life we must take care of. We can also have mini-cycles within our lives, where we focus on particular areas that need attention. For example, we might set aside time for personal development or decide to change our careers. Whatever it is, mini-cycles can help us stay motivated and on track. So remember, it's never too late to learn and grow. There's always something new to discover about ourselves and the world around us.

Every day we wake up and begin anew. Though it may seem like life is one long, linear journey, it is actually made up of mini-cycles. As seasons change and the tides ebb and flow, so do our emotions and experiences. And just as the world around us is constantly in flux, so are we. When we can learn to embrace change and ride the waves of life, we open ourselves up to new opportunities and possibilities. So next time you feel lost or stuck, remember that nothing is permanent and that change is always just around the corner. Embrace the life cycle, and you will find that anything is possible.

Connect always with a reward, do you think this cycle is serving me? Am I rewarded for what I am doing? You may find again that you are trapped in the rat race, and what was meaningful and rewarding to you a few years ago is no more there. Should I grow in something different to stay motivated?

Motivation is another big word usually overrated. "you have it or not", "that person is not motivated," "yes, but without motivation, how can I do it." To start something, we need to have substantial internal motivation, which is what we think.

For too long, we've been operating under the false assumption that motivation comes from within. If we find the right source of internal motivation, we can achieve our goals. However, this is different. Motivation is not something you can necessarily discover within yourself - it can come from without. It's the result of seeing someone else achieve what you want and realizing it's possible. It results from being challenged and feeling like you can meet it. In short, motivation is something that comes from outside of yourself. So if you're feeling stuck, don't despair. Instead, seek out sources of motivation from the people and world around you. With a little effort, you'll find the inspiration.

Essential to notice that this is not for external validation; you are not looking to others because you are jealous about what they have or because if you are not like them, you are a failure. Motivation is a way to get inspired, and then you need to commit.

We all have dreams and aspirations. We all want to achieve something great. And yet, our motivation often seems to dwindle when we need it the most. Why is that? Well, there's no simple answer. But one thing is sure: the belief that motivation comes easy, whether you have it or not, is a myth. The truth is that motivation is often hard to come by. It requires effort and discipline. But it is possible to find the motivation you need to achieve your goals. You have to be willing to work for it. Start by setting your sights on something specific and tangible. Then, break down the steps you need to take to get there. Finally, commit to taking action every day, no matter how small. It may not be easy, but it's certainly possible. So keep pursuing your dreams even if the going gets tough. Remember, the only way to achieve great things is to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

Every day, we have the opportunity to explore the world around us. We can step outside our comfort zones and discover new things or choose to stay within our familiar routines. The question is, which will we choose? Like the early explorers, we often must overcome challenges to make new discoveries. But the effort is worth it because the rewards can be significant. When we push ourselves to learn something new or try something different, we open up a whole world of possibilities. We may find that we have hidden talents or capabilities that we never knew existed. So don't be afraid to explore. Motivation is like being an explorer--it's all about stepping into the unknown and seeing what you're capable of.

Being an explorer takes more than just a sense of adventure. It takes commitment, dedication, and a willingness to face the unknown. Sound familiar? That's because motivation is a lot like being an explorer. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it. Like an explorer, you need to be willing to cut branches in the forest to reach your goals. You need to be dedicated to your cause, and you need to be ready to face whatever challenges come your way.

But most importantly, you need to believe in yourself. Because if you don't, no one else will. So set your sights high and get out there and explore the world of possibilities that awaits you. After all, that's what being motivated is all about.

It's easy to come up with excuses while we grow up. We can always find a reason to put off starting that new project or taking that first step toward change. But if we're honest with ourselves, we know these excuses are just a way of avoiding what we're afraid of.

All of us have things we're afraid of. We may be fearful of failing or of not being good enough. We may be frightened of being rejected or of being alone. Whatever we're afraid of, it's easy to let our fears hold us back. But if we want to achieve our goals and live our best lives, we must learn to overcome our fears.

We make excuses because it's easier than facing our fears head-on. Excuses are just a way of avoiding the things we're afraid of. They might make us feel better in the short term, but they'll only hold us back in the long term. So next time you find yourself making an excuse, ask yourself whether you're just avoiding something you're afraid of. If the answer is yes, it's time to face your fear and take action. You'll be glad you did. Instead of using excuses as a reason not to do something, let's use them as motivation. Let's use them to remind us why we need to take action. Instead of saying "I can't," let's say "I can." And then let's go out there and make our dreams a reality.

Let's start somewhere, and let's be practical as well. Where do I start?

If you are curious about how the brain works in easy and knowledgeable words, please read https://g.co/kgs/NQ3kHW "A Path through the Jungle: A Psychological Health and Wellbeing Programme to Develop Robustness and Resilience" by Steve Peters.

If you want to have one hint only, be curious about the power of mini habits.

The power of mini habits

Every journey begins with a single step, but it sometimes takes work. That's where mini-habits come in. A mini habit is a small, easily achievable goal you can commit to daily. The key is to make it so easy that you can't say no. For example, if your goal is to start working out, your mini habit might be to do ten pushups each day. Once you've established your mini habit, the key is to keep going. You'll add a little more every day until you reach your goals. The beauty of mini-habits is that they quickly become a part of your routine, and before you know it, you'll be well on your way to reaching your goals. Make your goal so small that you will feel embarrassed with yourself if you don't do it.

Small steps can have a significant impact when it comes to making lasting change. That's the philosophy behind mini habits, a simple technique that can help you make lasting changes. The basic idea is to start with a tiny goal - something you can do in just a few minutes - and then build on that success over time. For example, if your goal is to exercise more, you might start by committing to walking for just two minutes a day. Once you've made walking a regular habit, you can gradually increase your time walking each day. The key is to take things slowly and focus on building good habits rather than reaching some arbitrary goal. By starting small and taking things one step at a time, you can make lasting changes that will significantly impact your health, happiness, and overall well-being.

If your goal is to play an instrument (I did for piano), set aside a 1-minute every day to understand the device; slowly increase the amount of time; in a bit more than a year, I was able to play Tchaikovsky, yes, without any knowledge of music or the instrument.

Enjoy your growth! How is your journaling going?

Credit for the picture to Alvin Foo

Thanks to Anne Gélébart, CPCC, PCC Jon Wilson, MEng, PCC Emma M. Paolo Rovelli Alin Ionescu Sonya Trivedi Tuncer ?ahinci Cilia van der Ven Sarah Lang (MA, PCC, CPCC) supriya sahai Sedef Gunsur