Personal Motivation: Without Struggle There Is No Progress

As each day ends and another begins, the words of Frederick Douglas ask us as individuals to recognize the relationships between life's daily struggles.

"The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions, yet made to her august claims have been born of earnest struggle. The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all absorbing and for the time being putting all other tumults to silence. It must do this or it does nothing."

"If there is no struggle, there is not progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation are men who want crops without plowing up the ground."

"They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters."

"This struggle may be a moral one: or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did, and it never will. Find out just what people will submit to, and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them; and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those who the oppress."

Even though these words speak of politics, these words also speak to the human condition of potential, achievement and motivation. Douglas understood the human condition all too well. Humans need struggles or obstacle to motivate them toward progress and achievement of their goals.

This suggests two questions:

1. Can you identify the struggles (obstacles) that are keeping you from your progress?

2. Do you have a process that allows you to anticipate and overcome these struggles?

Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S. President of ADVANCED SYSTEMS, is the Process Specialist. With over 25 years of business and education experience, she builds peace and abundance by connecting the 3P's of Passion, Purpose and Performance through process improvement. Her ROI driven process solutions affect sustainable change in 4 key areas: financials, leadership, relationships and growth & innovation with a variety of industries. She aligns the strategies, systems and people to develop loyal internal customers that lead to external customers. As co-author of M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential:Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement due for June 2005 release, Leanne speaks nationally to a variety of audiences. Please call Leanne a call at 219.759.5601 or email leanne@processspecialist.com if you are seeking amazing results.

Copyright 2005 Leanne Hoagland-Smith, http://www.processspecialist.com

Permission to publish this article, electronically or in print, as long as the bylines are included, with a live link, and the article is not changed in any way (grammatical corrections accepted)

---

The Top 10 Ways to Overcome Procrastination

When a person is bored or uninterested, certain tasks and... Read More

I Give Up! How to NOT Say Those Words!

Boy, I tell you....it seems the world is just going... Read More

Life Rewards Action

Thinking is good, yes it is. I strongly encourage thinking.... Read More

Forgotten Your New Years Resolutions Already? How To Get Back On Track

How quickly we forget. We are only a few weeks... Read More

Questions for the Game of Life

"If you could eliminate one day from your past so... Read More

Motivation; 5 Steps to Get the Changes You Want

Q: I just read your column in today's' Greensboro News... Read More

Fear of Failure

The fear of failure is more deadly than failure itself.... Read More

Is Your Passion Fizzling Out?

Starting a business or project is one thing, keeping it... Read More

Action vs. Self Delusion

Knowledge fueled by emotion equals action. Action is the ingredient... Read More

To Boost Your Brain, Move That Body!

If you really want to be at your absolute peak... Read More

Break And Move Beyond The Length Of The Chains

"Never let fear, procrastination or the longing for approval from... Read More

Motivation-- The Key Is In Your Actions

Have you ever read something like this as a "way... Read More

Seven Aspects of Making Brilliant Decisions: The Relationship Between Work and Self

Workweek: an opportunity for discovering and shaping; the place where... Read More

Optimistic Vs Pessimistic

Studies have shown that on average an optimist will have... Read More

How to Beat Procrastination and Self Doubt

Fear of failure (or success) and a lack of energy... Read More

Death by Overwork: Motivationally Speaking Its a Zero

The Japanese have a word for death by overwork: Karoshi.... Read More

Motivation By Daily Applause

One of our most powerful psychological needs is the craving... Read More

How to Overcome Procrastination in 4 Simple Steps

If procrastination is holding you back in life, these 4... Read More

The Day Your Life Will Change for Good!

Many people long for a better life. In fact, I... Read More

Its Never Too Late To Start

Many people never start anything because they think the bus... Read More

The True Cost Of A Lack of Motivation

And what a lack of motivation means..As you read this... Read More

Discover Your Purpose In Life

Everyone has a life purpose; a unique and special something... Read More

A Special Q & A - All About Passionately Soaring in Life

1. How do I discover my passion?This is one of... Read More

7 Reasons To Stop Procrastinating Today

Procrastination is a delay tactic that has the ability to... Read More

Nothing More Than Feelings

"How are you Inventing Your Life Today?" ? the lead... Read More

Keep the Channel Open

Why do you do what you do? What is your... Read More

How to Stay Motivated Until You Get What You Want

And somehow you knew how to stay motivated...Goals are mysterious... Read More

Fear

As you prepare to take your first steps, could there... Read More

Universal Alignment

When the Universe is aligned, all things are possible. Kismet,... Read More

Celebrating the Couch Potato

Ah, the couch potato, that icon of American pop culture... Read More

Are You Lost or Are You Found?

It was one of those nights where the clock wasn't... Read More

A Tribute to Edna

To the world you might be one person, but to... Read More

Are You an Achiever or are You an EXCUSIOLOGIST?

It would be a fairly safe bet that if you... Read More