Staying Motivated

The best motivation is intrinsic, the desire to be the best student, the best athlete, the best at your passion. 

Jeff Dunham got his first 'dummy' as a pre-adolescent and became the best ventriloquist in the world. But his key was not just throwing his voice, but doing so with engaging comedy. 

You say, "I want to improve." What does that mean?

1. Be specific. 

2. Build better habits. 

3. "Pick, stick, check." It takes over two months to build a habit. Pick it, do it every day, and monitor your adherence to the habit. 

4. "Don't miss twice." If you miss a day, be sure not to miss the next. 

5. Write it down. It makes it real. 

6. "You earn your paycheck" - minutes, role, recognition. 

7. Success is a cruel master. It steals from 'fun'... but winning is fun. 

Driving to work, legendary UNC soccer coach Anson Dorrance saw Mia  Hamm in a park, running sprints. Nobody was watching as she put in the work to become America's greatest and most renowned soccer player. 

A few examples:

• Larry Bird shot 500 free throws before school. 
• Kobe Bryant took 1,000 jump shots a day in the summer. 
• Bill Bradley practiced three hours a day and all day Saturday. 
• Kevin Eastman reads two hours a day. 
• Billionaire Steve Forbes reads at least fifty pages a day.

You want to be better? You want to be great? It's your choice. 

Lagniappe. Hips, shoulders, arm. Hit harder. Be aware of core strength and rotation.