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The Ultimate Kick-butt Motivational Lesson

How often have you struggled with yourself over the work that needs to be done? How many times have you put off performing some task or other because it's too mundane?

Not everything you do in business is going to excite you. There will be many times when you just can't get yourself sufficiently fired up to make the effort to start, develop or even finish a project.

I get like that quite often. I admit it. I am no different to you. I have left many projects unfinished simply because I am unable to motivate myself to put in one last push. Of course, I know that by bringing the work to fruition I will have significantly enhanced my business. Perhaps even to the extent that I take it to the next level, or that I increase my earning potential.

While I am no different to thousands of other internet marketers or business owners, I do try to keep myself motivated by remembering this little story.

Whenever I read it I always feel uplifted and ready to take on the world! Here it is:

Some time ago I read the story of a man who overcame seemingly unsurmountable obstacles to achieve a lasting ambition...

I do not remember this man's name, but in a way that does not matter. It is his story that is important.

For many years he edited a magazine that explored and championed Freedom of Speech down through the ages. Towards the end of his life he decided that it was time he wrote a book on the subject.

He had always been inspired by Socrates, so he decided to write the definitive book on the Greek Philosopher. Now, in order to do this, he knew he would have to read EVERYTHING that had been written about the man.

But he did not want to read translations - even those written in Modern Greek. No, he knew that in order to really get a sense of what Socrates was about he would need to read old manuscripts written in Ancient Greek.

He did not know any Ancient Greek. But he set out to learn it.

At this point I should explain that by now our budding biographer was 80 years old and suffered from cataracts over both eyes!

This did not deter him.

For months he sat down in front of a computer screen that displayed giant letters (because he could not read small letters on account of his poor eyesight) and proceeded to learn the obscure and incomprehensible language of Ancient Greece.

Once he'd learned the language, he then read everything on Socrates, translated it into English for his own purposes and turned what he had learned into one of the best books ever written about the philosopher.

Remember this...

* he was in his 80s when he started the project!

* he had cataracts over both eyes!

* he had to learn a new language in order to do his research!

he read every ancient manuscript on the subject! And finally...

He produced a work of fantastically high quality!

In my opinion, this is the ultimate kick-butt motivational lesson!

Copyright 2005 Robert Evans

Robert Evans has been doing business online since October 2000. He runs a resource center incorporating a powerful marketing action plan to generate targeted website traffic using free and low cost marketing techniques: http://www.market4profit.net

In The News:


Dawgs digging deep to find last-game motivation
Seattle Post Intelligencer - 9 hours ago
Finding motivation figures to be a challenge for a squad coming off a 16-13 double-overtime loss in its rivalry game. Willingham insisted he won't use his ...
UW to get close look at Jeff Tedford Seattle Times
all 11 news articles

OPEC Cuts: A Barrel Of Laughs
Forbes, NY - 11 hours ago
"The major motivation for sellers is the discounting of the OPEC decision," said Mike Fitzpatrick, vice president of MF Global, in a report, "but motivation ...

Aerosmith’s Dream On is Raghu Dixit’s mantra for motivation
Indian Express, India - 16 minutes ago
For me, a classic is something like Aerosmith’s Dream On. It’s been over 15 years since I first heard the track when my friends got me to listen to it. ...

Irish Win Record 39th Straight at Home
New York Times, United States - Nov 30, 2008
“We knew coming into this game that there was something to play for and that gave us a little extra motivation,” said McAlarney, who led the Irish with 32 ...

Chiefs provide Raiders true motivation to run
Sacramento Bee,  USA - Nov 30, 2008
"It gives us a little extra motivation to play for because when you have hard times, it's tough to find that extra motivation. We're playing at home against ...

Vikings' view from above: exhilarating
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 5 hours ago
... and I don't think those guys on that team want to be attached with not having a win. So that is a different kind of motivation, but nonetheless motivation."
A moment to celebrate? Minneapolis Star Tribune
all 4 news articles

NBC13.com

Where's the love for Alabama?
Gainesville Sun, FL - 7 hours ago
You have to believe it's motivation for the Tide. "I guess you could say that," Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson said. "But it's not something we've ...
Transcript of Nick Saban conference call SportingNews.com
Saban Says Alabama Will Be Motivated BamaMag.com
Gators realize hype serves to motivate Crimson Tide al.com
International Herald Tribune - Anniston Star (subscription)all 296 news articles

Stoops ready for ASU
Cougfan.com, WA - 5 hours ago
One of the biggest concerns going into each game has been the motivation of the Wildcats and Stoops feels that it will not be a problem this weekend. ...

Seattle Post Intelligencer

AU should have plenty of motivation
Times-Journal, AL - Nov 28, 2008
Then again, the Tigers should take the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium with plenty of motivation. - With a win, Auburn will become bowl eligible. ...
Iron Bowl is motivation for injured Auburn players Tuscaloosa News (subscription)
Tide, Tigers Have Different Motivations BamaMag.com
GRIBBLE COLUMN: More than bragging rights on the line Opelika Auburn News
Dothan Eagle - Tuscaloosa News (subscription)all 1,089 news articles

TSN.ca

Motivation, Tebow and Percy-cution
GatorCountry.com, FL - Nov 28, 2008
Percy Harvin turns on the jets and heads to the end zone against South Carolina/Gator Country Photo by Tim Casey. The year was 1968 and the fifth-ranked ...
No. 2 Gators hammer rival FSU again, 45-15 The Associated Press
Storming to Atlanta: No. 2 UF heads for showdown with No. 1 'Bama ... Independent Florida Alligator
Tebow: The Ultimate Warrior DawgsBite.com
Swamp Things - Gatorsports.comall 928 news articles
motivation - Google News

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