GUITAR WOLF’s concert in 2013 was a defining moment with my work ethic. Before that show, I was an unmotivated zombie that had dreams yet was blocked by my complaining. After seeing their work ethic, evident by the sweat soaking into the stage, something clicked! Eventually, I realized that only through full zealousness to your ideal work can you achieve anything other than an unfulfilled life. It wasn’t an overnight change, so let’s explore the details.
Concert Rating: ★★★★★ [5/5]
Only within the last three months has this really clicked.
Over the years, I’ve seen so many people complain about their lives, and yet do nothing to change their situation! They’ll waste their idle time. Or they’ll complain without actually taking any action. I used to be like that, too.
The people I admire most take action when something goes wrong. We will all become victims of circumstances. That’s life. It’s just a matter of refusing to let that define you and control you. Bad things happen. Work on it!
Ask for help. Do your research. Get out of that negative situation!
What I saw that night were three misfits going all in. They can’t become salarymen! This band might be all they have to survive. Why not commit to a work ethic that is so powerful that it’s impossible to ignore?
I was compelled to ask the drummer for a drumstick. I’ve studied it when I’ve been particularly overwhelmed and it’s been inspirational for me getting out of ruts. I rely on that memory less now, though it is still precious.
That’s where I think it’s a shift in your relation to motivation.
External motivation is the drumstick, the inspirational quotes, or getting paid. These things are easy to digest and temporary. They last only as long as you hold onto that memory or that money. Then it’s back to that unmotivated misery.
Internal motivation is that inner drive cheering you on, saying: “if you don’t give it your all, if you don’t sacrifice the stuff that isn’t important, then you’ll never get to the point in life where you want to be!”
How about drowning out those voices of doubt and reluctance?
I think it’s about ignoring inner doubts, making better decisions, and clearly visualize your life’s purpose. What do you want out of life? With that answer, it’s easier framing things from the perspective of “will this be useful for me?”
If you’re not living the life you want to live, cut things out! You can’t cut everything. You’ll have to do work and chores that you don’t want to do some of the time. That’s alright. Just limit superfluous things.
Although it took time for me to fully understand, that’s what I got from that evening four years ago. The overall sense that the harder you work, the more likely you are to achieve what you want out of life.
If this motivation could soak into the essences of even one hundred people, the world could become fundamentally better.