How To Get Motivated… Demonstrated!
By Ellesse Chow
17 August 2006 was one of the most exciting days in my life. As a result of monsoonal rains, I was stuck in a traffic jam for more than 3 hours in the streets of Karachi, Pakistan! In case you are wondering what was I doing in that city, my job as a implementation consultant gets me to some of the most interesting places in the world.
Some of you may beg to differ. Exciting? Do you think it is exciting waiting for minutes to just slip through your hands while your car inches away on the streets that have sunk into total darkness (due to power cutoff from the heavy monsoonal rains), if not for the cars’ headlight beams?.
The truth is, I find it interesting because of the various behaviour that I’ve noticed during the ordeal, that were very much, manifestations of ways to stay motivated in a situation totally out of your control. Motivation theory in practice indeed! One can effectively apply these into our daily lives as well.
(1) Step by Step to Goal Achievement?
As a result of waiting for too long, a lot of passengers dropped off from their vehicles and started walking in the ankle to knee level water puddles when the rain had stopped. What I found out from my client (who was in the same vehicle) was that under such circumstances, it might be more appropriate to stay within their cars as it could be dangerous walking in puddles, which might hide man-holes opened up to let the water out.
Despite that, those individuals decided that they would rather tread with care slowly in the water puddles than to stay in the car and waste their time. Their motivation was very much driven by the possibility of saving not just precious time but to be constantly seeing progress in their journey back home.
Now, isn’t that familiar? How many times have we derived motivation from seeing constant progress in our goal or even completion of a sub task? These are the kind of simple milestones that just gets one going, isn’t it? Even though these may sound simple, a lot of people get stuck with even making the first move to see some progress. That happens when their goal fundamentals are not strong enough to keep them going. Those people were stuck in the traffic for the past 3 hours and their earnest goal was to get home, even at the possibility of falling into man-holes. When the fundamental is strong, you will likely to find yourself forging ahead, even though you know there are likely to be obstacles ahead.
(2) Goal Buddies & Focus Groups in Action?
Some drivers started walking out of their cars and chatting with other drivers on the same road. Even though I might not understand Urdu, my intuition seemed to tell me that a lot of the drivers could sharing thoughts about what could have caused the jam despite the fact that the rain has stopped and discussing alternative solutions on getting the traffic to move much faster, such as crossing over to the lane that traffic was moving in the opposite direction. A man, who had fallen into a man-hole was being helped by another along the flooded pavements and also security guards near the US embassy were jostling the rest of the cars to cross over to the other side of the road.
Now, that was goal buddyship in action, wasn’t it? Holding a common goal to get out of the bad traffic, those people are continuously helping, inspiring and working with each other of ways and methods that they could achieve their goal. This is a very much applicable motivation technique to our daily life isn’t it? When was the last time, you had a goal buddy?
(3) Practicing the Art of Visualization?
I noticed a driver was out of his seat and leaning against his car door, eating a packet of peanuts and watching the commotion caused by the traffic and the people. It actually had a hypnosis effect on me. How could anyone have the mood to eat peanuts and literally “enjoy” the scene in this kind of situation? Could he be practicing the art of visualization, imagining that he was at home watching a movie? I seriously doubt he would have that intention but his actions do have a personal development backing.
Self help gurus and hypnotists will tell you that for things to change, one must have the picture of what you want them to change to. Suppose if the man was imaging himself to be at home, getting comfy and enjoying a nice movie, it would only lessen his frustrations with the wait and keep him motivated to just continue waiting. Another positive effect of visualization, is that he could tap on the powers of the Universe to draw things that he visualize to be closer to what he intend to achieve. I presumed he did get back home. But how soon?
I did not stay to find out, as I joined one of those who wanted to see step by step goal achievement and walked back to my hotel, ending my 3 hours ordeal in 10 minutes.
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Wow, that was a good read
Nice post
Excellent article indeed! Our how-to is up as well if you’d like to check it out!!
Interesting… Thanks for participating in the Group Writing Project. My How To is up also.
Jersery Girl, MamaDuck & Matt,
Thanks for the wonderful comments… I have read your submissions too and they are awesome!
Great tips. Especially the visualization. Most often neglected. My how to is up.
Having been in Karachi…and finding the traffic so wild I was nervous about crossing the dry street in sunshine…that tale hit home!
Walking in that water was brave!
But life is a daring adventure or…….
Thanks!!!
R
Yeah Ruth, it’s either I risk and walk in those puddles, or still get stranded in the roads while in my car facing the same risk of getting electrocuted (because water can seep in).
Now that I’ve quit my job, I don’t get to go such exciting places anymore. But the excitement was transferred to full time writing.
And it excites me to know that I’ve finally found someone who’ve been to Pakistan like you! Welcome to Goal Setting College, Ruth!
Hey Ellesse!
Thats an amazing motivational website, you indeed are doing a great job here! keep it up!
I am glad that you visited Pakistan specially Karachi, you really note little things going around.. The environment that you experienced that day is the one that we experience on the regular and I never noticed, indeed whatever you mentioned is true, however people do get frustrated, but only some can change the moods and start enjoying what they are facing.. Wonder its all in ‘our control’ how a 3 hours annoying situation can be converted into an unforgettable experience like you had
@Wajid Thank you soooo much for the kind words! I really appreciate it!
Going to Pakistan has been one of the most amazing experience in my life. I got to know a bunch of really nice & heartwarming people and till now, one of them has been sending me occasional emails to check out how I am, even though I’ve left the company a while back. Contrary to what we often see in the news, within the country itself is actually rather peaceful and tranquil. But most people wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience that for themselves, given the fears that was frequently disseminated via the media.
Even though getting stuck in a traffic jam isn’t really that “exciting” to people like yourself who probably have to live with it almost every other day, it certainly left a deep memory on me because of all the things I saw.
I was also stuck in Jakarta once for 2 hours but the experience was never as deep!
Thanks Ellesse for taking time and responding to my comment.
Indeed you are very true, west perceives us differently (thanks to media), you have seen it all yourself, reality is always is different from what media portrays, one has to experience things by himself…
Beside, you better should be thankful to God, that day it was raining, if it wasn’t and it was the month of June/July, at 2pm you had to face the sun for almost 3 hours, I am sure it would have been also a unforgettable experience, but for that you would have to wrote a BOOK rather this article
Conclusion is, whatever it is, either a drop of rain, or a ray of sun… one can always see the beauty of life, can feel the love of mother nature and can listen to music of his/her heart
[ Like you did.. ]
@Wahid No, thank you instead for commenting on Goal Setting College! Thanks for pointing out that I should be fortunate that I didn’t have to face the scorching sun!
Haha, indeed over the years, I’ve learned to be grateful for everything in life. Because it’s both fragile and precious. The weather, the people around us and now, even the rice we eat! The ability to treasure every moment in time is a bliss in itself.
Thank you for the kind reminder!
no prob
Looking forward for more wonderful articles.