Different things motivate different people. For some people it is the threat of punishment if something is not done. For others it is the promise of a prize that awaits after hard work. Or it can be something simple, like changing one’s status or focus. One of the best motivational quotes I’ve heard in a long time is “How many summers do you have left?”
This phrase was shared with me by a friend who is going to take a full month of vacation this summer to be with his family, to not “do” anything and just “be” with them. Knowing that this friend has a busy schedule as CEO, I was very curious how he manages to have so much free time and asked him about it.
He said that years ago he had a mentor who practiced this same annual ritual of taking a month’s vacation with his family, and he had the same question as to how it was possible.
His mentor’s response changed his life. It was, “How many more summers do you think you have left to enjoy?”
That question inspired my friend to change everything, because he has a wife, children and grandchildren. That question got him in touch with how much they mean to him and how much he wants to spend quality time with them.
Although I do not have a wife or children, this question struck me equally, because there are many things that I am passionate about and I am over 60 years old. I have a burning desire to inspire other people so that their lives can be better. I feel that this is my purpose in life, and I don’t know how long I have to fulfill it.
Try it yourself:
“How many more summers do I think I have left for…”
…do something you’ve secretly wanted to do your whole life
… don’t worry about what might happen
… start the business of your dreams
…lose weight
… go on a retreat
… write a book
… travel
… etc…
And then follow your heart.
Don’t let other people stop you from what you have chosen.
What if the person holding you back is yourself? If spending a month on your passion seems ridiculous and unattainable, it probably won’t happen! The secret to making this real is to feel, visualize, and know that it is real. You must be so sure that it will happen that there is no other option for you. When you have this clarity, the universe makes it possible.
