collecting motivation

it seems like the secret to pursuing anything which is a true marathon — the question of “how do I keep the fire burning” is not about enacting more discipline, but finding and fueling the flame that is motivation — the inner core drive. fanning the source energy. I wrote about this in how to learn anything — that there are only three things you need: motivation, momentum, and pleasure.

I return to this subject again — as I think about language learning. I took three weeks of intensive German (three hours a day, five days a week) and though it was certainly useful (forcing me to sit down and open my mouth occasionally in new configurations, distracting me from the internal abyss of my psyche, a daily sign-of-life-check-in with strangers, a steady structure for learning grammar rules) but in the end, I felt like it sucked the JOY out of learning a language. I was so tired of looking at clip art and playing inane games. there has to be a better way.

discerning between internal vs external motivation

• external motivation: I’m signed up for this german class, so I have to show up. this is transplanted motivation, and it works on the short term — until it doesn’t. there is a glass ceiling. it is finite.

• internal motivation: what truly excites me about (learning german?) why am I doing this? can I activate my source energy to see how deep and far I can go with this?

I’m slowly making my way into finding the answer — which has something to do with building a micro-ecosystem of things that fuel the inner fire — that which is passion, inspiration, excitement, inner drive.

it is an act of collection, surrounding, and reminding. collect the things that inspire you. surround yourself in them. remind yourself everyday.