Maybe I’m drained. I don’t know.
It is the time of year for it.
This seems like a bit of an oxymoronic (or maybe just moronic) subject for a newsletter that’s really supposed to inspire and motivate, but I’m a bit sick of how much motivational bullsh is fired at me constantly on social media. And after two conversations about it this week I thought I’d chisel my thoughts into a newsletter.
You know the stuff…
You can be more.
You can do more.
You can travel more.
You can earn more.
You can have a better house.
You can be a better parent.
YOU SHOULD WANT MORE.
Maybe it’s a clip of Rick Rubin the mega-successful multi-millionaire or Gary Vee the mega-successful multi-millionaire or soundbites from Michael Jordan the mega-successful multi-millionaire about how many shots he missed, or Leo DiCaprio the mega-successful multi-millionaire about failing being a vital part of our careers and never to give up.
Sorry for the unusual level of cynicism. I’m actually typing this with a smile on my face, I’m not in a grump about it.
I just think it’s too much.
I’ve been recording some interviews for FedWed recently and when I was chatting to Ste Walker he was talking a little bit about this, and I think that’s what got me thinking… it’s not as morbid as it sounds this next soundbite but he said… “imagine at your funeral they say here lies [your name], nothing was ever enough.”
I promise it’s nowhere near as morbid as that sounds, and Ste is in great health just to reassure you, and he’s currently galavanting around the mid-west of the USA!
But I found that profound. Imagine if nothing is ever enough?
One quote I’ve always loved and one which often provides me with much-needed perspective is “remember when you wished for what you have now”.
The quote only really applies to your art and business. Nobody wished for a cost of living crisis, £3 cans of coke, wars or the general unrest of society.
But in business and art, remember when you wished for what you have now is such a great concept and antidote for the frankly toxic (I hate this word but can’t think of a better one) level of motivation being fired at us constantly on social media.
Sometimes the motivation of the mega-successful-multi-millionaire is great. Sometimes it hits you with just the right message at the right time.
Other times it tells you that you should be out swimming with dolphins in the galapagos when you’re in bed covered in toast crumbs, feeling guilty about the fact you had four slices because you were “so hungry”. And you’re contemplating two more.
No? Just me?
It’s a noisy old world. I’m on a quest for quiet.
So next time you’re force-fed some motivation to do more, say more, have more, see more or just BE more, remember it’s ok to be cool with what you’ve achieved so far, the path you’re on, the speed you’re moving and the level of ambition you do or don’t have.
Speed up, slow down, pause, rest – whatever you feel you need is probably what you actually need. Listen to yourself before you listen to the multi-millionaire-motivators.
Have a nice day.
Thanks for reading.
Adam
PS – yes I’m jealous of the multi-millionaires. So far today I’ve bought cheap school shoes from Sports Direct for my youngest, shopped around to save a few quid on the car insurance, and facepalmed about the cost of a monthly train pass into Manchester for my oldest son. Rick Rubin doesn’t even brush his hair.
