Every now and then I have these revelations. They’re “aha” moments of self-awareness. I notice something in my personality that I’d like to change. My latest “aha” moment came while my wife and I were watching The Biggest Loser.
We’re lounging on our couch when the first obese person pops onto the screen. A few seconds later, I’m standing up. I stand up because I don’t want to become like the person on the screen. They’re encouraging me to be more active. But my wife stays unfazed.
Until…Jillian Michaels comes onto the screen. That’s when she gets motivated. She starts talking about her diet and what she did at Crossfit earlier in the day.
I realized something. While my wife gets motivated by the thought of becoming fit like Jillian Michaels, I get motivated by being slightly better than an obese person.
My wife couldn’t care less about the obese people jiggling on the screen. She wants to become as fit as Jillian Michaels. That’s true motivation. That’s what it takes to become like her. I’ll never be as fit as the trainers on The Biggest Loser if I’m just looking to be better than the contestants.
How many times do I approach my life like that? I compare myself to the lowest common denominator and pat myself on the back when I excel. But how much better would I be if I compared myself to the apex? If I saw the top of the mountain and said, “I want to be like that. And I can be if I go for it.”
Maybe you’re like my wife in the fitness area. Or maybe you’re like me. But I guarantee you’re like me in some areas in your life. Perhaps even in your art.
Would you join me in shifting my perspective? I want to shoot for the top. I don’t want to just be satisfied being slightly better than a loser.
Wow! This one really got to me. I do this with my designs. I want to be more motivated to create something better, something out of the box not just a design better than the person next to me.
Wow! This one really got to me. I do this with my designs. I want to be more motivated to create something better, something out of the box not just a design better than the person next to me.
New to your blog. As an often insecure painter, I am enjoying your transparency and encouragement. Blessings to you and yours.
New to your blog. As an often insecure painter, I am enjoying your transparency and encouragement. Blessings to you and yours.
Great post and point! We often look at our classmates rather than the teacher, who is teaching us what needs to be mastered in the first place!
Great post and point! We often look at our classmates rather than the teacher, who is teaching us what needs to be mastered in the first place!