the speaking tree
Self-motivation For Achieving Excellence
Geetika Jain: Times of India 17.10.2018
The common observation is that some individuals, though only a handful, excel in various spheres of life while the majority lead ordinary lives with hardly any accolades to their credit. Is it mere luck or random functioning of life? It is neither of the two.
Achievement of excellence in any field is the cumulative corollary of several attributes like determination, focus, diligence, intelligence, self-confidence, perseverance, patience and passion. But the most important factor conducive to attaining excellence is self-motivation. No amount of external goading, however persistent, can veer us towards excellence. When we are constantly driven by an insatiable yearning to live life at its highest dimension by delivering our best, this kind of passion helps us realise our highest potential, which if not tapped remains dormant.
Yet, the path to excellence is circuitous and arduous. Stringent self-discipline needs to be adhered to. The tougher we are on ourselves, the easier is the road to excellence. In essence, achievers refuse to remain complacent by being ensconced in a life of mediocrity. They are risk-takers. To excel, we have to summon the courage and confidence to step out of our comfort-zone and blaze a trail ahead amidst challenges and deterrents.
To achieve the extraordinary, we need to develop sharp focus; the sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus. It is this concentration upon the work at hand, this awareness of our efforts from moment to moment, that eventually leads to excellence. Conversely, if our focus is on the goal with an ego-centric attachment, our efforts along the path are distracted, anxiety-ridden and are consequently rendered feeble, resulting in failure.
Achieving excellence entails scrupulous planning, preparation and positive oriented thinking. We need to proceed in a methodical and organised way. Sustained commitment is required. Excellence comes from exercising responsibility and also being accountable. The long-term, larger goals should be judiciously sub-divided into smaller ones, lest our zest and focus wane. Small and quick incentives, en route, can be stepping-stones to the final goal. The goal should be clear, logical and well-defined.
Real excellence comes about when the spirit of competition with others ceases. Competing with others causes stress and an unnecessary dissipation of valuable time and energy, resulting in depleted output. Conversely, when we are in healthy competition with our own self, and strive to outdo our former self, excellence happens.
It is essential to consciously cultivate the habit of pitching in our best efforts in everything we do, whether they are trivial, mundane chores or big tasks. According to Aristotle, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Moreover, when we choose to discover pleasure in our work, our performance enhances.
The entire route to excellence is profound and self-enhancing. In fact, it is gradual self-mastery. When we seek excellence, it becomes paramount to know our strengths and frailties. This is possible only when we know ourselves thoroughly. Meditation is a potent tool for effective self-communion. It is a time-tested method of developing one’s focus, memory and self-control. It calms and clears the mind, thereby empowering it. An agitated, cluttered mind is weak and unproductive. Once we are successfully tuned-in to our divine core and securely fastened to our moorings, excellence in inner and outer worlds becomes inevitable.
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Self-motivation For Achieving Excellence
Geetika Jain: Times of India 17.10.2018
The common observation is that some individuals, though only a handful, excel in various spheres of life while the majority lead ordinary lives with hardly any accolades to their credit. Is it mere luck or random functioning of life? It is neither of the two.
Achievement of excellence in any field is the cumulative corollary of several attributes like determination, focus, diligence, intelligence, self-confidence, perseverance, patience and passion. But the most important factor conducive to attaining excellence is self-motivation. No amount of external goading, however persistent, can veer us towards excellence. When we are constantly driven by an insatiable yearning to live life at its highest dimension by delivering our best, this kind of passion helps us realise our highest potential, which if not tapped remains dormant.
Yet, the path to excellence is circuitous and arduous. Stringent self-discipline needs to be adhered to. The tougher we are on ourselves, the easier is the road to excellence. In essence, achievers refuse to remain complacent by being ensconced in a life of mediocrity. They are risk-takers. To excel, we have to summon the courage and confidence to step out of our comfort-zone and blaze a trail ahead amidst challenges and deterrents.
To achieve the extraordinary, we need to develop sharp focus; the sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus. It is this concentration upon the work at hand, this awareness of our efforts from moment to moment, that eventually leads to excellence. Conversely, if our focus is on the goal with an ego-centric attachment, our efforts along the path are distracted, anxiety-ridden and are consequently rendered feeble, resulting in failure.
Achieving excellence entails scrupulous planning, preparation and positive oriented thinking. We need to proceed in a methodical and organised way. Sustained commitment is required. Excellence comes from exercising responsibility and also being accountable. The long-term, larger goals should be judiciously sub-divided into smaller ones, lest our zest and focus wane. Small and quick incentives, en route, can be stepping-stones to the final goal. The goal should be clear, logical and well-defined.
Real excellence comes about when the spirit of competition with others ceases. Competing with others causes stress and an unnecessary dissipation of valuable time and energy, resulting in depleted output. Conversely, when we are in healthy competition with our own self, and strive to outdo our former self, excellence happens.
It is essential to consciously cultivate the habit of pitching in our best efforts in everything we do, whether they are trivial, mundane chores or big tasks. According to Aristotle, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Moreover, when we choose to discover pleasure in our work, our performance enhances.
The entire route to excellence is profound and self-enhancing. In fact, it is gradual self-mastery. When we seek excellence, it becomes paramount to know our strengths and frailties. This is possible only when we know ourselves thoroughly. Meditation is a potent tool for effective self-communion. It is a time-tested method of developing one’s focus, memory and self-control. It calms and clears the mind, thereby empowering it. An agitated, cluttered mind is weak and unproductive. Once we are successfully tuned-in to our divine core and securely fastened to our moorings, excellence in inner and outer worlds becomes inevitable.
Post your comments at speakingtree.in
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