Be motivated by something beyond simply money or glory.
Interpretation
The quote encourages individuals to seek deeper, more meaningful motivations than just financial gain or fame.
Mark Manson's quote suggests that true motivation in life should stem from values and aspirations that resonate on a personal level, rather than superficial rewards like money or glory. By focusing on deeper motivations, one can lead a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life, ultimately achieving greater satisfaction and success.
In practice
In a motivational speech to inspire students at graduation.
Whereas a lot of Buddhism concerns itself with stages of enlightenment, various precepts and moral codes, and even power structures and hierarchies, Zen is just like, 'Shut up, sit down, and observe your thoughts - oh, and by the way, what you perceive as you' doesn't actually exist.' I loved the minimalist approach of it.
I think people who become compulsive about fitness or eating right, a lot of the time it's out of fear that they're going to lose control or that they're not good enough, so I think anything done out of fear or motivated by fear is often unhealthy.
Many people come to self-help material because they feel like something is wrong with them or the way they are. The problem is that anything that tells you how to improve your life is also implying that there is something inherently wrong with you the way you are.
The first and perhaps most important thing to realize about being happier in life is to stop trying to be so happy in life.
Writing/reading is like visiting another person's brain. And a short book or article is like a short stay. You come in, have a coffee, talk about the weather or sports, and then move on.
I think humility - which I think is a very good value to adopt - is basically an extension of understanding your own ignorance.
There is something about the ritual of the race - putting on the number, lining up, being timed - that brings out the best in us.
Excellence requires discomfort.
Take off your bedroom slippers. Put on your marching shoes,' he said, his voice rising as applause and cheers mounted. 'Shake it off. Stop complainin'. Stop grumblin'. Stop cryin'. We are going to press on. We have work to do.
The fighters who give it all will be around for next year. Give it all you've got. Don't save anything.
For every reason it's not possible, there are hundreds of people who have faced the same circumstances and succeeded.
Just because Fate doesn't deal you the right cards, it doesn't mean you should give up. It just means you have to play the cards you get to their maximum potential.
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