The past number of weeks I’ve been out of action because my doctor thought I had a concussion. I realized during that time how much my mindset affected my motivation.
In the preceding weeks, I’d been super busy and doing a lot of things, like conducting webinars, that were taking me out of my comfort zone and increasing my self confidence.
But then my doctor told me no computer, no reading, no long walks, mainly rest. From then on, how I felt went downhill. Not because I was any worse, but because I couldn’t do anything except feel sorry for myself. I had no energy, no ambition, no joy in living.
That continued for over a week. Then I realized that I probably didn’t have a concussion after all. My symptoms were probably caused by a flare-up of my fibromyalgia. The rest was needed, but not to the point of doing absolutely nothing.
Once I changed my mindset and stopped feeling so hopeless, my motivation came back. I felt better physically as a result, and even though I still had some pain, I was much better. Now I’m back to appreciating life, my computer, and my books. And I read yesterday that many people are just in their prime when they turn 65, so I better get my eyes off of myself and unto my goals. In fact, my new tagline is: You’re Never Too Old, and It’s Never Too Late, So Get Out of Your Comfort Zone.
How’s your mindset today? Your world could use the motivation only you can provide!
Happy Computing,
Carol
Hi Carol,
I know how you feel, when you’re in pain everything seems to stop. I have polymyalgia rheumatica and days sometimes are very difficult. However, I found this story on the internet and felt it related to me. Thought it might give you a lift as well. It’s all about your mindset…
Best regards, Victoria
The Bank Account of Life
92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, moved into a nursing home today. He is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with his hair fashionably coifed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.
After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.
“I love it!” he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. “Mr. Jones, you haven’t seen the room yet; just wait.” “That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” he replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged … it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it.”
“It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can stay in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away. Just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you’ve put in.”
When you put this in business terms … you can worry all day about the business dealings that you are involved in, or be negative about the potential clients that have fallen by the wayside, or you can choose to be positive and focus on the things that are going right in your business. My advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of life! I am still depositing, and I make a conscious effort each and every day to remember the “goodness” of people.
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
Sometimes easier said than done… V
That’s a great story, Victoria. Thanks so much for sharing it. I’m afraid I’ve never heard of polymyalgia rheumatica. It sounds like it might be from the same family as fibro. I find that the hardest thing (other than the difficulty in getting a proper diagnosis) is that some days I feel really good and so I try to do as much as I can. Then I suffer for it because I overdid it. Learning to be moderate isn’t easy. Be well and keep in touch.
Carol
In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success — without effort. They’re wrong.
In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Virtually all great people have had these qualities.
Hi Brianna and thank you for your comments. Even without brains and talent, we can accomplish a lot if we are willing to pay the price and work to achieve success. That’s why reading inspirational biographies are so motivating for most people.
Welcome. You are absolutely right.