Motivation Killers

With 2016 just under way, I join many others in reflecting on the past year and looking forward to what the new year will bring. The recent turn-over in the calendar year has served as an excellent reminder that I have a lot left that I want to do. The drive to excel in my profession  remains steadfast. I have specific goals and dreams that I am earnest in working towards. This isn't to say, however, that I do not struggle with what I need to be doing on a daily basis to accomplish each of these. The small decisions that are made in the day-to-day grind will dictate the ebb and flow of who I will become as a fireman. As that motivation wanes, I have to find ways to combat the rut of remaining stagnant, or even worse, becoming dissatisfied.

It is a daily battle to stay on track. A long term fix to the motivation slump is what is really needed though. What may seem to be random occurrences of demotivation are often rooted in specific motivation killers. Learning to recognize these preventors-of-productivity will aid in permanently removing them from your path. Within myself, I have been able to narrow down the following as major killers to my own motivation. I doubt that I am alone in many of these, and I hope this list starts you down the path of eradicating your own hindrances.

Reliance on others' approval- When your actions are controlled by the praise or perceived acceptance of others, more often than not, you will end up disappointed. This is an unfortunate, but true reality. Why? Other people will not recognize your efforts as regularly as you think you deserve.  Instead, your call to action should come from within. It should be a desire to succeed, rather than a desire to be accepted or recognized. At times, it can be a healthy motivator to use others' opinions as a part of your drive. Caution should be taken, however, when you act due to anger, jealousy, and vindication. 

Comparison- There are three detrimental mentalities that can come with comparison. The first says, "others are making it by with much less effort/knowledge, therefore, I don’t need to work any harder." The second says, "I am on the same level as everyone else, so why work harder." Finally, the third says, "others are too far ahead; I'm never going to get where I want to be regardless of whether or not I work harder." Comparison is nothing more than flawed logic when applied in any of these three ways. Each of us has been gifted with our own set of skills and abilities. In that light, our perception of others should not dictate our drive to become better. Drive should come from within, and be personalized to you.    

Idleness- I have no problem admitting that there is a direct correlation between the time I sit in a comfortable recliner, and the desire I have for a nap. The fact is, I am going to be asleep if I allow myself the time. This should not be a surprise. With all else being equal, rest wins out over work.  Idleness breeds inaction. For this reason, it is important  that I hedge against the things that keep me idle (ie. movies, Facebook, sports on tv, that comfortable recliner). Recognition of your triggers will help you remain productive.

Pessimism- In a career driven by teamwork and mutual effort, negativity will cripple the team. It spreads like wildfire, and it takes little time to create a kitchen table surrounded by dissatisfied firemen. Those who are lucky enough to see the negativity coming tend to flee from a pessimist. Each of us needs teammates, mentors, teachers, and leaders; the last thing you want is to push these people away because of your own attitude.

Lack of goals or vision- Goals are used to provide focus and drive. There are any number of clichés that state their purpose in our lives, but they are ultimately a formal target that you are aiming for. In reference to goal-setting, American author Napoleon Hill said, "goals are dreams with a deadline." Take some time to list out what you hope to achieve in the next couple of months, in the short-term, and finally, over the course of your career. Decide what you can do today to move towards those achievements.

Forgetting to be patient- All too often my discouragement comes from things taking place outside of the timeline that I have established. Whether it is specific call types, educational opportunities, promotions, etc., none of them seem to happen in the frequency that I desire. I can beg for wisdom, skill, and a career's worth of experience, but it does not change the fact that these things come with time. A peace comes with recognizing that patience is sometimes the best course of action.

Having little identity outside of the fire house- I love being a firefighter. Everyone around me knows I am firefighter. It's on my clothing; it's in my typical conversations; it's on my license plates. My time is spent training, reading, and discussing all things firefighting. The preparation is completed in hopes that I will perform better on the incidents that I am called to.  With that being said, relying on call volume or a "good burner" to bring me happiness is futile. There is absolutely a high that comes with that, but as you well know, it's fleeting. My family, my faith, my friends, and my community are all deserving of my time and  energy. I also have to be present and available outside of a tour of duty. The greatest firefighters are often those who are well-rounded in all areas of life.