Caution This Is Most Contagious

Drumroll please……

Wait. But first, let’s just make sure we’re all on the same page. Two days ago was the anniversary of John Lennon’s death, and the topic of yesterday’s post.

But today’s Lane 8 blog post is not about John Lennon, it’s about motivation.

It’s also about the number one most contagious thing (and greatest success factor) in the world when it comes to motivation.

Are you ready?

Okay, back to the drumroll.  Drumroll please…..

The number one most contagious thing in the world is…….ENTHUSIASM!!!!!

Can you hear the echos of some people saying, “That’s it?  That’s all you got?  You’re wasting my time!”

And others, “Yes, that’s exactly it. Try to do anything well without a mountain of enthusiasm.  Seriously, go ahead and try.”

What works best for you?

Imagine John Lennon

Can you imagine John Lennon as an athlete? I can, but it doesn’t seem he ever was.  His travel schedule was hectic to be sure, at least for much of his life with the Beatles.

So maybe he had an excuse – world travel.

Can I use it too?  Oh, and let’s see, may I also use some of these?:

  1. Too busy with work
  2. Too busy with school
  3. Too busy with the kid(s)
  4. Soon as the weather gets nice
  5. Starting January 1
  6. I can’t find an exercise I like
  7. It’s too dark
  8. It’s too cold
  9. I can never see results (fast enough)
  10. It’s too hard

Not exercising didn’t kill John Lennon, but it certainly may contribute to my death.

Do you ever think about stuff like this?

PS. Tomorrow, we revisit yesterday’s blog post and reveal the number one most contagious thing in the world.

Motivation Fascinates Me

Does motivation fascinate you?

Do you have any motivational strategies or tactics you’d like to share?

Do you think about motivation:

  1. All the time
  2. Sometimes
  3. Never

You know what the most contagious thing in the world is?

Here’s a hint.  The number two all-time most contagious thing in the world is a lack of enthusiasm.

Another Favorite

Yesterday I shared the favorite motivation tip:

  • Find a million ways

Today, a second favorite:

  • Pay attention

In August, I had the privilege to watch a 70-year old man do the equivalent of Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile barrier (1956).  Do you trust me enough to click here?

Please know up front that clicking will take you to an August 2009 Lane 8 blog post, which includes my You Tube video of a world record being broken.

Here’s a third motivation tip, as a bonus:

  • You must find time and reason to do things you don’t what to do

Favorite Motivation Tip

Steve Prefontaine's Legacy
Steve Prefontaine's Legacy

Here’s my personal favorite tip to stay motivated:

  • Find a million ways.

Who’s going to be more passionate and concerned for your motivation than you?

Seriously.  Who?

Studying others who’ve overcome obstacles is just one way. It’s one of my favorite ways. Steve Prefontaine, a rebel, also happened to be a runner.

And in the process, with his relentless courage and determination, he changed the way Americans thought, and continue to think, about running. He held every American running record from 2,000 – 10,000 meters.

In his greatest race at the 1972 Munich Olympics, he finished fourth. No medal. No glory. No hero’s welcome.

But yet, he’s the only athlete Nike has ever immortalized in a bronze statue. Ever. Any sport.  Period.