The Keys To Happiness ~Motivation~

"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt

I have held more than a couple of professional positions, but my favorite is that of an employment counselor. With several years of experience under my belt, I can now look back and say that I am finally taking my own advice with my writing as well.

When I was new to the field of employment services, I researched and discovered that finding jobs for people was easy. I also found that finding them careers was the most difficult part of my job.

That's when I asked myself, why do people accept positions and end up hating what they do? Why is it that people leave jobs? What motivates people to stay? Hmmmm, what motivates people to stay?

Finally, it dawned on me to search for motivational material. I realized that people (myself included) apply for and accept positions for various reasons, but stay for one reason only...... Personal Gratification.

With this newly discovered information in hand, I refocused my employment coaching to discovering what made my customers tick and encouraging them to pursue dreams that others may have told them were impossible.

It wasn't until years later that I begin to take my own advice with my writing and my recent return to employment services.

I can not count how many times I have told my customers that the most successful people in life are those who are doing something/performing a service that they would do for free or if they were not being paid what they are worth.

I realized how much truth my statement had when I left social services. I went into education thinking I could save all the youth before they found their way to the other side of my desk.

As I think back to my early years as an employment counselor, I was so wrapped up in my work and I was determined to change the world by righting wrongs. My first assignments were working with people who were recently released from prison, on parole and/or on probation.

I personally felt like I was being dealt an unfair hand, at first. My mindset was selfish, and my immediate thoughts were how in the hell can I help someone who already has strikes against him/her?!

But I realized that it was not about me, it was about my customers, about giving someone hope who did not have any left.

I learned to remove myself from the equation and work with what tools I had. By not allowing customers to focus on the barriers, their focus was redirected to the possibilities.

One thing I noticed is that the chair on the opposite side of the desk became a little heavier while the person walking away traded disappointment, despair, and frustration for hope, inspiration, and motivation.

That is what motivates me to do what I do. The key is searching your soul and finding your personal motivation which will guide you to your purpose.