By definition, the word Motivation means: the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way ; the general desire or willingness of someone to do something.

I’m like 98.7% positive you know where I’m going with this post. At least, I really really hope you do.

What’s your reason to get out of the bed in the morning? There are so many reasons I can think of. The sad thing is, some folks out there can’t even think of a single one. That fact throws a dull, watery gray over the vibrant yellow color I like to think in. (Here we go again with the color theory.. Yes, I might be slightly off my rocker, but I think and feel in colors). The gray can wash over your life if you aren’t careful. Create your ambition, scrub away the gray.

Live ambitiously.

Personally, seeing someone who shows strong determination to succeed at something is so attractive. Maybe it’s just me, but I want to be around people who live with a passion. Someone who’s a kiln. They have a fire burning inside, the good kind. The kind where they wake up in the morning with a drive for success.

Live with a burning passion.

Of course, even the most motivated and positive person on the planet has those mornings. Beds seem to have these magical superpowers, they suck you in, but only after the alarm goes off. However, learning to drag your tired behind from the heat of the blankets is how you will be successful. Just take it one morning at a time.

I’ve seen the coolest ideas and ways to motivate yourself. Whether that be to finish a paper about a boring subject, lose the last 5 pounds, or deal with an annoying, self-obsessed boss, you’re going to need a little extra help. One idea in particular that I loved was called a “motivation wall”. It’s just like little sticky notes, cutouts from magazines, or simply pictures that make you smile taped all over a wall. I recommend even hanging these above your bed, so it’s the first thing you see when you open your eyes.

Another thing that drives my motivation train, is inspirational videos. Yes, they can be corny, but sometimes after a long, depressing, gray day, I will sit in bed and watch these things. They really do make you feel better, even if you burned the entire batch of cookies, failed a test, and ran over a squirrel, all in one day. Trust me. I’ll include the links to two of my favorites below. Take a second to watch them if you have the time.

Now I don’t write these to just ramble on about my crazy, silly life. I want you to take something from these words that I’m preaching. That’s my motivation. The thought that gets me out of bed most mornings is, “Who can I inspire today?” However, in some cases, the thought that gets me out of bed is, “Did Mom make waffles?” But most times it’s the inspire thing.

My hope, my ambition, is to change as many people’s lives for the better as I can. And the best way I know how, is through my writing. I want to write something, whatever that may be, that someone reads and tells their friend about. That’s one of Dani and I’s favorite past time, discussing the books we read. I wish more than anything that two teenage girls somewhere out there are in a coffee house, sitting and talking about something I wrote, between whispers of gossip and giggles.

By no means 10 or 20 years down the road you’ll see a “How To Be The Best You” book with my name on the front, I’m not into telling people how to live their lives. I just want them to see the yellow color that I feel when I’m happy. That’s all. I hope you go out and have a super fantastic day, and find at least one thing that gets you out of bed tomorrow morning.

With Love, Maddie

“Secrets to Success”- Eric Thomas (This guy is amazing.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDFC16ptx-0

“A Pep Talk from Kid President to You” (Kid President is one of my favorite people in the whole world, just so you know.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o