Tag: motivation

Convergence

Last Friday night, we were three women left standing, or dare I say, “swimming” in our community centre’s pool out of twelve who had started in “Older Adult Swim One” (very tentative beginners) nine weeks ago.

Like a wet bathing suit, my fear of water still clung to me. But that night, it felt different. The water was warm, almost inviting after coming out of the cold. The pool was all ours. The other classes finished a week earlier. So peaceful, so calm, and under the watchful eye of Andrew, our Gen Z instructor, we got to practice on anything we wanted.

We all tread water for awhile, arms and legs going off in all directions, different speeds, awkward motions with our life jackets on until we tired out.

Then while the others were swimming, I tried to float (again) on my back. I tried everything during these nine Friday lessons. Missing a few didn’t help. I floated with the noodle, that lengthy lifeline.

I tried to float without the noodle still gripping tightly to the pool edge with one hand and then letting go. I tried visualization but this jack knife pose sunk me. I tried positive self talk but I had too much on my mind. I tried to relax but I kept breathing at the wrong time so that water kept going up my nose.

Then I stopped trying so hard and resorted to a silent prayer. “Please if there is a God, let me float even for 2 seconds.” I let go of the edge and I finally felt this odd sensation for first 2 seconds, then again for 3 seconds. Was this floating? I could hear cheers from my swim-mates and Andrew. “You did it!” I did? I did! Funny how moving towards your goal can feel so empowering and motivating even for two seconds. I walked out of the pool wondering when I could get back in again to experiment and try again.

My Swim Report Card

I did jump into the deep end!

Our “report cards” were displayed on the table as we exited. We should have given Andrew a medal for bravery. He survived teaching adults for the first time. My swim mates perfected their kicking and gliding. We all had our small victories. But as in all victories, it is the journey we revel and relish. We started out as strangers, four generations – Gen X, Y, Z plus Boomer, as equals in a learning environment that made us braver, friendlier, and kinder. #whenweallwinweallwin   

Only the Hungry

Once you’ve tasted hunger, you have been given a “gift”.

Only the hungry know Food for Thought Motivation Monday
Hunger heightens motivation.

“How Hungry Are You? “~ Toronto Raptor Serge Ibaka’s Cooking Show on YouTube

Ask Rondae Hollis-Jefferson who, while being a member of the Toronto Raptors’ bench, played his heart out last week during their recent road trip out West. With four out of the eight-man rotation on the injury list, Coach Nick Nurse tapped “RHJ” and he made damn sure he optimized his opportunity to show his true mettle as a primary defender. He knew that this opportunity may never pass his way again and he was hungry, very hungry, and impressed the heck out of #wethenorth.

Hunger Hurts, Helps, and Heals

Last week I received a note from a young entrepreneur and mentee in Paris. We first met in 2016 at a Toronto networking event hosted by a not-for-profit helping young entrepreneurs on exchange from France. At that time, he was about to launch an app for children’s entertainment, think “Dora the Explorer”. His eyes shone with steely determination and his words showed a humility rarely found in others. Since my niece and I would be in Paris the following Spring, we made plans to meet. But we didn’t connect.  Surprisingly he cancelled very last minute which made me concerned enough to alert the not-for-profit’s liaison who thankfully followed up with him. I learned later of his modest background and his continuing struggle to meet his basic needs.

He reconnected about six months later and against many odds he managed to rise above it all and found contract work as a production assistant with a Paris-based luxury brand, a testament to his talent, courage, and resilience. Today he is working on his portfolio to work in TV animation. He channels his hunger to fuel a motivation in the same way our Toronto Raptor, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

Stay Hungry?

Then there are those who are in creative and precarious occupations usually with a strong entrepreneurial mindset. It’s not always Eggs Benedict on the menu. Peanut butter combo sandwiches – with strawberry jam, bananas, and/or Nutella – were a favourite of a now well-respected entrepreneur in the health and beauty sector. The irony is not lost. Popcorn, three-minute noodles, and “orange cheese” were also memorable among other entrepreneurs I’ve interviewed.  Whether you’re in the NBA, in Paris, or in the kitchen making PB sandwiches, staying hungry is not an option.

So when the inimitable Steve Jobs once told us to “Stay hungry!”, he meant to never be satisfied and always push yourself. But I wonder if he knew the other side of hunger. Just some food for thought. #MotivationMonday