Or maybe this is just a story on motivation. Either way, it's one of my favorites...
A depressed, overweight, single man came to see his pastor because he couldn't lose weight or find a date. The pastor said, "I can help you. At 8:00 in the morning, be ready to exercise."
"I've tried all the exercise programs around, and they don't work," the man replied.
"Just be there at 8:00. This one works."
The man was ready at 8:00 the next morning. When the doorbell rang, he went to the door and a gorgeous woman in an exercise suit said, "The pastor told me to tell you that if you can catch me, you can marry me." And then she took off. He was so overweight he couldn't catch her. The routine continued every day for the next three months. He lost about 50 pounds.
The morning after he'd lost the 50th pound, he was a lean, mean, running machine. He knew today was the day he'd catch her. He was ready before 8:00 and couldn't wait for the doorbell to ring. When it rang, he ran to the door and jerked it open -- just in time to see the biggest woman he'd ever seen dressed in a jogging suit standing at the door.
"The pastor told me to tell you that if I can catch you, I can marry you."
Last I heard, the guy was still running.
Have you heard that one before? If so, I apologize. At least I didn't send it to you in a cheesy email forward.
The takeaway is simple: While motivation may seem to come from outside forces, it actually is something that wells up from the inside. Something touches us in an area of passion, interest, desire and we suddenly find the will, energy, persistence to get going.
What motivates you?
James & Steve:
Glad I could share that story with you. It's a keeper for me as well.
Posted by: tim | March 29, 2007 at 12:03 PM
Tim, I had not heard that one and as a long time runner and coach, this story is a "keeper". Thanks!
Posted by: Steve Sherlock | March 29, 2007 at 05:51 AM
Very nice. I had not heard that one before. Thanks for stopping by BoldlyGoing.com and checking us out. I'm glad I surfed over your way to see your site as well.
Hope to see you back again soon!
Go Boldly!
Posted by: James D Kirk | March 28, 2007 at 10:34 PM