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Motivating Yourself
India White • Aug 13, 2021
We are driven by an objective, born with a desire to find purpose beyond simply staying alive. Money, happiness, power, a new car because your old one makes a weird sound when you start it up. Whatever it is, sometimes it can seem as though the path between you and your success is one of great resistance. Sometimes, it can seem as though life, and all that it's thrown at you, is about to get to you and break you down. Sometimes, it does. But, in all of us, there is motivation, and motivation allows us to get back up to move forward again and again and again.
Granted, at times, it is difficult to find that reason to keep pushing. For a lot of us, motivations tend to be external: family, money, vacation, luxuries. And although these motivations are strong and enough to keep us going for so long, they are not foolproof. Not everyone has a family. People eventually find that money doesn’t buy happiness. So on and so forth. These motivations, like all external factors, are typically out of your control and can leave you without a say.
It's times like these that you must find motivation within yourself. You need to believe that whatever it is you’re doing will help you grow into a better person. Find those inner motivations. Find those successes that will fulfill you. If you’re scared you will never grow, you will. Understanding is the first step. Analyze yourself and find what it is that’s blocking you; talk to family, see a therapist, sit on a park bench and just be alone with your thoughts, whatever it is, just don’t do nothing. It’s that simple. Every great person, every great story started with baby steps, both literally and metaphorically; it’s time you take yours.
If you want to think philosophically, you are valuable and you are real, simply because you exist. You can think, you are conscious. That is not a privilege or experience anything can experience. You, amongst the vast multitude of the universe, have been either designed worthy or just lucky enough to understand your own self. That is rare, beautiful, and valuable. You are valuable. You deserve to be better. You deserve to be happy. In light of that, here are some ways to stay motivated:
- Eliminate procrastination: Just start, write your name, get a paper, draw an outline, the hardest step is always starting. But once you take it, the subsequent ones come naturally.
- Clear distractions: If it's homework or a project, just be sure to give your phone to your mom or friend or put it somewhere that would be too inconvenient for you to stop what you’re doing to get it.
- Set goals with attainable milestones: Visualize your goals and put them down on paper. Then write out the steps to get there. This can be separated into daily, weekly, or monthly to-do’s. Whatever works for you, and more importantly, whatever keeps you accountable to yourself.
- Take Breaks: Go for a run, watch a Youtube video, cook a meal. Relax. You don’t want to burn yourself out.
- Find a role model: It can be a mentor, a role model, whoever you need to help stay motivated, it’s all about the end game right?
- Hold yourself accountable: You need to practice holding yourself accountable to things. If you struggle with holding yourself back, practice saying no to little things: no thank you, I won’t be having dessert or no, I don’t think I’ll have fries with that. It will help you build towards saying no to larger things. If you’re really struggling, ask your family or friends to help you stay accountable.
And remember, life is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be days you fail. Maybe you’ll fail every day for a month. God forbid it, but a year even. The difficulty of motivation is not getting it, but keeping it. It can be so short-lived like a blazing fire, but regulate it, don’t put so much pressure on yourself, feed that fire consistently but not too much. And if you’re going through the thick of it right now, and feel as though your motivation is thinning, remember that you are valuable and you are powerful. Sometimes, you just have to keep your head down and keep pushing, working, crawling. The meek shall inherit the earth, and you, who keeps persisting and fighting, will soon come out with your head held high. The best is yet to come.
‼️So grateful for the opportunity to hear testimonials and reviews from a few rockstar educators about their takeaways and experiences from my Equitable math 🧮 practices session at MCTM in Minnesota this weekend🤩! It's inspiring to hear teachers who provide feedback and work to close the achievement gap. 🥰Let's continue learning from each other and making a difference in the lives of our students! #teacherappreciation #education #equitablemath #achievementgap #drindiawhite #teachers #tedx #equity Check out the session highlights here:
‼️Listen as a gritty Middle Eastern teacher explains how attending my Equity Keynote at the Math conference, helped her connect her experience as a BIPOC educator with her perspective on how to implement equitable practices for all students and relate to students of different cultures! #drindiawhite #tedx #equity #dei #math #education #teachers #students #bipoc #savvas #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #nabse #habse #uf
I urge you to take a moment to listen to Dr. India White's enlightening TEDx talk, "The Power of Grit," where she delves into what drives grit in the lives of leaders, teachers, and students every day. In this captivating presentation, Dr. White offers invaluable insights into the transformative potential of grit—the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. As educators and leaders, we play a pivotal role in instilling and nurturing grit among our students and colleagues. Dr. White's talk serves as a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we cultivate grit within ourselves and those we influence. I encourage you to watch the TEDx talk for a deeper understanding of how grit can drive success in our classrooms, workplaces, and lives.
I am beyond grateful and honored to have the opportunity to speak at UF's Alumni Gainesville reception and share the powerful message of grit with the new graduates from the University of Florida. As leaders, we have a unique platform and responsibility to inspire and empower the next generation as they embark on their journey beyond the university walls. Grit is more than just a buzzword; it is the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. It's about facing challenges head-on, embracing failures as opportunities for growth, and never giving up on our dreams. Today, as we gather to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable graduates, let us remind them of the power they hold within themselves. Let us encourage them to cultivate grit in all aspects of their lives, knowing that with perseverance and determination, they can overcome any obstacle and achieve their wildest dreams. As leaders, let us lead by example, showing gratitude for the opportunities we've been given and inspiring others to do the same. Let us use our voices to uplift and encourage those around us, knowing that together, we can create a brighter and more resilient future for all. Congratulations to the graduates of the University of Florida! May your journey be filled with grit, determination, and endless possibilities.
I am beyond grateful and honored to have the opportunity to speak at UF's Young Alumni reception and share the powerful message of grit with the new graduates from the University of Florida. As leaders, we have a unique platform and responsibility to inspire and empower the next generation as they embark on their journey beyond the university walls. Grit is more than just a buzzword; it is the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. It's about facing challenges head-on, embracing failures as opportunities for growth, and never giving up on our dreams. Today, as we gather to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable graduates, let us remind them of the power they hold within themselves. Let us encourage them to cultivate grit in all aspects of their lives, knowing that with perseverance and determination, they can overcome any obstacle and achieve their wildest dreams. As leaders, let us lead by example, showing gratitude for the opportunities we've been given and inspiring others to do the same. Let us use our voices to uplift and encourage those around us, knowing that together, we can create a brighter and more resilient future for all. Congratulations to the graduates of the University of Florida! May your journey be filled with grit, determination, and endless possibilities.
Join us on the Grit and Equity Talks Podcast with Dr. India White, where we will discuss spaced vs. mass practice for teachers! Visit www.india-white.com for more information #drindiawhite #grit #equity
🥳As the opening keynote at the WMC Annual conference, I had the opportunity to discuss equitable math practices with teachers. I am grateful to have gifted 30 copies of the Equity Counts book collaboration after my session! 🤩Thanks to Savvas Learning Company for making this happen🥰. The best is yet to come for Wisconsin teachers and students! #EquitableMath #Education #EquityCounts #savvas #drindiawhite #tedx #equity #WisconsinTeachers #StudentSuccess #wismath24 #nctm #ncsm… See more — at On Green Lake in Wisconsin.
Hanging out wit the tribe! I had the honor of being the opening keynote speaker at @WisMathCouncil 🤩 We applied the concept of grit in their classroom! Thanks to @SavvasLearning!! #drindiawhite #math #grit #student #teachers @wismathcouncil #wismath24 #SAVVAS #nctm #ncsm #bwxme
This morning, I had the honor of being the opening keynote speaker at WMC's Annual Math Conference. 🤩The conference was a great success, with attendees discussing the importance of grit in both teachers and students. I’m excited to see Wisconsin teachers apply the concept of grit in their classrooms and help their students develop this crucial! Thanks to Savvas Learning Company for the support and encouragement!! #drindiawhite #math #grit #student #teachers @wismathcouncil #wismath24 #SAVVAS #nctm #ncsm #bwxme
‼️Attention all Wisconsin teachers! Are you ready to enhance your teaching skills and help your students develop their grit😃? If so, don't miss out on the opportunity to purchase my Grit Workbook at a discounted price! 🤗I have 50 copies available at WMC, so come and grab your copy this week🤩! #wismath2024 #nctm #ncsm #drindiawhite #grit #education #students #teachers #wismath2024 #nctm #ncsm #drindiawhite #grit #education #students #teachers