Overcoming Ourselves

About a month ago I found out that I was accepted into a Ph.D program and will be starting in August. This is a very big accomplishment that I am very proud of and have been working toward for years. I had someone approach me the other day and offer her congrats followed by the statement "you are one of the smartest people I know". At first, like always, I said thank you and moved on, acknowledging the compliment but not lingering much on it. I thought about that statement later and came to the conclusion that for most of us who are by no means at genius level, it is not as much about intelligence as it is determination, hard work, and drive. There must be internal motivation, a great sense of focus, and a no quit attitude as the foundation for someone of average intelligence to push through graduate school. I know I do not have an exceptional IQ but I have a tremendous work ethic, strong sense of self, and motivation that sometimes comes from a place that I'm not even aware of. "If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits."

So I bring this up because I believe that motivation is the key to success however it cannot be taught, only brought out or amplified. You must find it in yourself; that which drives you to accomplish your goals and reach for something beyond what can even be imagined. I have been battling sickness and exhaustion but I have been trying very hard to at least get to the gym and put in a little bit of work. For me, when I skip the gym or eat poorly, I get a sense of guilt and know I would have felt better if I just stuck to my food plan or put in some work at the gym. So I think ahead to the guilt that I would feel then muster the energy to just do some work and I allow myself a sense of accomplishment and pride in pushing through. So what do you need to hear from others to bring out that fight in you? What do you need to tell yourself to push through? Don't let life get in the way of what you want and don't make excuses for yourself to settle of something because its easier.

"Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome." -Samuel Johnson