What You Need Is Not What You Think

I love sports. As a teenager, I did as much of as many sports as I could. Among others, the ones I focused on were basketball, soccer (real football?), football (American), and the 400m in track (not a true sprinter, but that was the farthest I would go without a ball).

One crisp fall Saturday, after a match where I probably didn’t play well, I got home and was greeted by a stern voice asking:

“Are you really doing your best out there?” - Mom

That was the brutal question I got from my German Mother.

She asked it out of love, concern, and care. She didn’t coach me on precision passing or how to move into certain formations, no it was all about effort and personal accountability.

It felt like a slap in the face or a kick in the pants. 

I needed that question in order to help me perform better. I needed to be able to look into my own soul and answer that painful question. I can’t remember if we won or lost, all I remember is that I was never going to give anyone a right to ask me that again.

Real life is very similar. Eventually, we all need a kick in the pants.

Jeff Haden’s new book, The Motivation Myth, was a friendly, yet painful kick right where and when I needed it...

It is one of the best books I have ever read. Read it now.

This book will take your excuses and turn them upside down. This book will also help you put all the pieces back together so you can move forward to create the life you want. I love the approach and the debunking of so many common myths.

I wish I could do this book justice, I can’t, you will just need to read it yourself.

This book is unique in content and filled with great stories. It will teach you more about happiness, success, and motivation than most any 10 books combined.

While full of actionable ideas, the 5 main key takeaways that I took from the book are:

You Can Do—and Be—So Much More Than You Think

“When you consistently do the right things, success is predictable. Success is inevitable.” - Jeff Haden

Motivation Is Not the Spark, Success Is

“If you want to stay motivated, if you want to stay on track, if you want to keep making progress toward the things you hope to achieve, the key is to enjoy small, seemingly minor successes—but on a regular basis.” - Jeff Haden

Happiness Comes to Serial Achievers

“The confidence and fulfillment you gain from all your hard work and dedication will in themselves make your effort worthwhile. You will always be able to look back and think, “I did that.” A moment of accomplishment may be fleeting, but satisfaction lasts forever.” - Jeff Haden

Wishing and Hoping Is the Most Unrealistic Approach of All

“Be “unrealistic” when you set a goal, and then be realistic about how you will achieve that goal.” - Jeff Haden

Do More by Doing Less

“…if you want to achieve a huge goal, as well as succeed at all your other responsibilities, you need to learn how to say no to most things that come your way.” - Jeff Haden

When you have the right mental approach, taking action becomes much more impactful.

Take action and watch your success pile up.

** Your Turn: What book has changed your life?

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