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The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.
-- Thomas Macaulay
 

 

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

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Being briefly motivated is not all that difficult or unusual. An obstacle presents itself, or an opportunity arises, and you naturally become motivated to respond in a particular way.

The challenge, and the power, is in staying motivated. Motivation in the moment gets you going, yet it’s motivation in the long term that brings real rewards.

To lock in that motivation, to make sure it endures, you must quickly and repeatedly connect it to purpose. So when something prompts you to respond, make it a point to understand why.

What is it about the specific challenge or possibility that is getting you so worked up? Understand why it matters and you’ll have a meaningful touchpoint that you can continue referring to.

When you’re clear at the deepest level about where your motivation comes from, you’ll have plenty of ways to prolong it. That can transform a momentary intention into an enduring and sustaining one.

To put motivation to work for you, give it a full time, permanent job. Make the motivation deeply personal by embedding your purpose in it, and you’ll continue it long enough to make a major positive difference.

— Ralph Marston

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