Tuesday, October 11, 2011

You Need A Drive

"I will always prepare so that when my time comes, I will be ready."
-Abraham Lincoln.

According to Physics, a body remains in a state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by a force. That is a law that has been in existence for quite a while now and it's straightforward too. When you stand on a spot and are pushed, you no longer stay on that spot but move a step forward or backward.

I've always regarded that quote by Abe Lincoln as a powerful one. The strange thing is that I had seen the quote countless number of times but I didn't value it until I needed it. A year before I went to the University, I was what you would regard as 'premature'. I didn't know my left from my right and had no idea what I wanted out of life.

Watching my mates go to school while I stayed at home for that whole year was really discouraging but I later realized that it was worth it. It was at this time that I sat down and did a lot of self-examination. I needed a lot of things to take along to the next level and one of them was a drive. That's when that quote above became a really good friend. It applies to everything in life like relationships, death, career, marriage, wealth acquisition, business, academics and so much more. It talks about one thing, which is preparation and it has totally become a part of my life.

Choosing a drive can be tricky, especially if you don't know where you're headed in life. It's just like a cab driver asking for your destination and you say, 'anywhere'. He's not going to waste his fuel on you.

Knowing where you're going would help you choose the right vehicle, be it a car, minivan, chopper or jet. From experience, a drive should be chosen on the following two criteria.

1. It must be internal.
Choosing your spouse, girlfriend or money as your drive would only bring you back to square one in the end. Why? Well, they won't be there forever. They’ll leave you one day and then what happens? You start searching for another one. The good thing about internal drives is that they stay with you until you die or you no longer have use for them. They are not influenced by external occurrences but by your final destination.

2. They should be derived from something you love or enjoy doing.
I found this quote from a book. Reading is a part of me and I'm never compelled or forced to do it. It's just like being inspired or getting a feeling of satisfaction whenever you play the guitar or piano. Having a drive to help others achieve this same feeling would make the route to your destination simple.

It's never too late to get a driving force. The most important thing is getting one and using it's instructions to guide you. Whichever one you chose, just make sure that you're ready to abide by its code of conduct. Feel free to use mine if you wish.

Do you have a drive? What other ways do you think a drive can be acquired? Let's hear your thoughts, your comments are welcome.

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Ebooks you might want to check out:
Internalized Motivation
Change Your Mind, Change Your Life
Power, Purpose and Service

19 comments:

  1. Great post. Having drive to me is important. It's also important to never stand still. I've accomplished a lot, I'm a teacher that is making a difference in my student's lives. That's something I've always wanted to do and enjoy doing but now I'm onto the next thing...blogging. Great blog.

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  2. I call your drive purpose and with purpose you can set goals, create plans and move in a direction. But sitting at the mid point in an amazing life, the one thing I have learned is to be flexible and keep my ear open for when opportunity knocks because life can only be lived one day at a time.
    Have fun with all your endeavors Larne.

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  3. You're right Roberta. Sometimes you do have to stop and listen for further life instructions. Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. Drive, purpose, passion: all are good words for what boils down to wanting to move forward, to grow, to change. Having that drive helps us avoid being a pinball that bounces off of others.

    I like to plan: it gives me that drive, but for myself and others like me, it's always important to remember, too, that life is what happens while those plans are being made. So a key element in having drive is to be flexible and to recognize opportunities for new directions as well.

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  5. Flexibility and open-mindedness are really key elements in acquiring a drive. Thanks for your comment Michael, hope you stop by again.

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  6. great post! I think there are manyn things that we could use as our drive. I do disagree about choosing a spouse as your drive, but maybe they would be more an assett to a persons drive.

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  7. This is so true and important in life yet not easy for some people including myself.

    I've always found inspiration in the Star Wars films and it's driven me into new areas.

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  8. I agree with you Adelina. Your spouse should only be a form of support and not the main drive.
    Finding a driving force isn't easy for anyone JP but getting yours from something you enjoy doing is a great idea. Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. What you call drive is probably what I call passion. I think everyone has to discover his or her own passion--that driving force that propels them forward. They say that a writer can't "not write" and that is not just a truism--it's the truth. That's why it's so important to do what you love and love what you do! Otherwise, you're just wasting precious minutes of your life. Love your blog and, of course, I'll be back!

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  10. Enjoyed your post and agree wholeheartedly in "drive". In fact there is a book on the subject that is an international best seller (by Daniel Pink). My drive is to go to sleep every night knowing that my day was productive in whatever I did. Work, play, etc...

    The concept of drive is one I expose my teen son to regularly. I want him to choose a career that makes him excited about waking up every morning.

    Glad to have found your blog from our LinkedIN group.

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  11. Great post. It's not always easy to do, but the key to success (however you define success) is always moving forward.

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  12. I love that quote too! It is awesome. I never really thought of drive as a choice, I always thought you either have it or don't. I also think that not enough people do have it, by the way. Thanks for your great insightful post, I appreciate your perspective. Jana http://www.adoctorandanurse.com Following from Linkedin

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  13. Great advice. I, like you, felt lost when I didn't have my drive. It makes all the difference in the world when you do. And I totally agree with your ways to find your drive. Those exact things, the internal force and the love for it, have fulfilled me more than I have ever been before. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. Not around us move until we our selves move. You have really shown me new things. keep the candle stick standing

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  15. @Sandra McLeod Humphrey
    "Do what you love and love what you do". That's one rule we sometimes find hard to obey. It's only by doing this that we get our drive. Thanks for your comment.

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  16. @on the ball parent coach
    I'm glad you found it too. Thanks for stopping by.

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  17. @John McCullough
    "Forward ever, backward never". Thanks for stopping by.

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  18. @Jana
    I'm glad you found the post useful. Thanks for your comment.

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  19. This is nice, I like it. A man must have drive if not nothing will be achieved. Thanks I'll be back for more visits.

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