Bookmark Website  | Free Registration  | The Team
The Lounge  | Champions  | The Wire |  Schedule |  Audio  |  Arcade  |  The Top Ten  |  Historical  |  Email  |  Video

Motivation: The Cure for Complacency


Q. I've always tried to work hard enough to provide for my family and be content. The problem is, when I'm content, I get complacent, and everything starts to fall apart. How do I keep going and avoid getting complacent?

A. There's nothing wrong with feeling content. It's something that we all strive for in life.

The problem comes, as you have so well stated, when we drift from contentment into complacency. Let me give you an example of the results of complacency, and then how to overcome it.

I recently heard Clay Shiver, former FSU All-American center and former center for the NFL Dallas Cowboys, speak about complacency.

When he got to the NFL, Shiver, who played center, was the only starter on the offense who wasn't an All-Pro player. The team also had won three out of the last four Super Bowls.

The year he started, the Cowboys posted a record of 6 wins and 10 losses. Shiver said he thought the reason for such a bad season was that the team had gotten complacent, had lost its hunger. He remembered being in the huddle where two All-Pro Super Bowl champions talked about how they couldn't wait until the season was over so they could go on a fancy trip. They lost the next five games.

That's the best example of complacency I think I could offer you.

I can sum up the cure in just one word. Ready?

Ants.

That's right, a-n-t-s, ants. One of the benefits of having kids is you get to watch their favorite videos hundreds of times. In the movie "Bug's Life" the ants teach us at least five strategies for dealing with complacency.

1. Ants never, ever give up

Put something in front of them, and they will get around it, over it, under it or through it. If one way doesn't work, they will try another. If that way does not work, they will try still another way. And so on until they find a way around the obstacle.

There's nothing wrong with feeling content. It's something that we all strive for in life.

2. Ants are always getting ready for what's next

They don't ever rest on their laurels. In the summer, they are thinking about the winter and getting ready for it.

3. Ants are creatively industrious and resourceful

Ants don't complain about not having the right tools to do what needs to be done. They take what is available right in front of them and find a way to make it work.

4. Ants are always hopeful

In the winter, when they are holed up in their little ant mound, they are using what they stored up all summer and know that as cold as it is, summer is coming, and they are getting ready for it.

5. Ants don't seem to believe in the concept of enough

They store up all that they can for the winter. You have seen the acronym on restaurant signs AYCE. I used to think that must be some kind of special brand of food. It took me forever to figure out that it stands for All You Can Eat.

Instead of focusing on All You Can Eat, I think we would do better to focus on what the ants do, AYCD, which stands for All You Can Do.

If you constantly follow these five tips, you will consistently beat complacency. Think of it as being content and always hungry to make things better.

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.


MORE RESOURCES:

The Star-Ledger - NJ.com

'Chip on shoulder' gave Tim Brown motivation to become Rutgers' No. 1 wide ...
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
Noah K. Murray/The Star-ledgertim Brown has managed to make the catches for Rutgers despite being 5-8, like this touchdown ...



UTEP Miners have motivation vs. Rice
American Chronicle
Motivation comes in different forms for two teams looking for closing flourishes to dress up losing seasons. Still, there is no shortage of that motivation. ...



Wildcats use last year's game as motivation, lesson
Oregon Daily Emerald
When the Arizona Wildcats (6-3, 4-2 Pacific-10 Conference) visited Autzen Stadium last year they found themselves down two ...

and more »


CBC.ca

With motivation from Pierce, Rondo turned up his game against Warriors
Providence Journal
By ROBERT LEE BOSTON – When Rajon Rondo entered training camp, the Celtics wanted him to show that he could be a consistent star night in and night out. ...
Perkins Talking Bout Practice, Practice!Hardwood Houdini (blog)
Rivers looks inward for answers to woesBoston Globe

all 509 news articles »


Tampabay.com

Florida embracing criticism over lack of scoring punch
The News Herald
“Obviously you don't like hearing a lot of criticism, but sometimes we can use it as motivation. Why can't we do this or why can't we do that, ...
Gators are ready to make the season's final pushGatorsports.com
Fans eye a farewell to TebowGainesville Sun
The League: Revelry and rivalryGatorsports.com

all 201 news articles »


Pokes are out for revenge against Boise State
Casper Star-Tribune Online
Third-year coach Heath Schroyer's biggest obstacle this week may have been in convincing his team that they didn't need that type of motivation. ...

and more »


MiamiHerald.com

Smokers get motivation to quit from great American Smokeout
TopNews United States
This Thursday is the Great American Smoke Out, which is being used for more than 30 years to help aid them in quitting smoking. As per a survey conducted by ...
Activists target city's high rate of smokingWorcester Telegram

all 528 news articles »


Atlanta Journal Constitution

OUR LEAGUE: Plenty of motivation for Clemson
Charlottesville Daily Progress
... a season-opening loss, a win in the last home game of the season and the last ACC game of the season and Senior Day, to name some motivating factors. ...
Gameday preview: Clemson vs. VirginiaThe State

all 565 news articles »


Buffs: Plenty of motivation
Longmont Daily Times-Call
BOULDER — Don't ask the players in the Colorado football program about the future. They don't know. And they really don't want to discuss ...

and more »


Psychology Today (blog)

The Myths of Intrinsic-Extrinsic Motivation
Psychology Today (blog)
Back in 1975 Edward Deci, Mark Lepper, and their colleagues proposed that rewards undermine intrinsic motivation. In contrast, Len Sushinsky and I argued ...


Google News


Advertisement



Section Site Map - Submit News - Feedback - Comments - Advertise with Us

Copyright © 2006 Luminati Inc. All rights reserved.