So a friend of mine told me about a feat accomplished by one young lady (even if you don’t believe this at first, you will believe it in the end).This “blessed” day; there was a robbery attack accompanied by sporadic shooting in open space. On hearing the gun shots, this lady took to her heels to save dear life. She recognized that in order to protect herself, she needed to be in an enclosed place. So, without thinking, she jumped over the first fence she encountered.
As she peeped through a crack in the wall, she noticed the robbers cart away valuables from people; whilst praying and waiting for them to depart. After about 30 minutes, she heard the siren of a police patrol vehicle and for some funny reason, she believed this was a sign that the robbers had gone. Maybe because the police have a knack for showing up after the incident.
As she got up and turned round precipitously, it dawned on her that the building looked abandoned -the doors were left ajar to emptiness and the concrete was green algae’s habitat. She suddenly had a slight reason to fret because of her surroundings. However, when the robbers attacked, the fear of a stray bullet definitely dwarfed this feeling.
As she became aware of the dinginess of this environment, she briskly walked to the front of the building in search of the exit. On getting to the gate of this abandoned building, she discovered it was locked. She could see the massive chain and padlock as she peeped through the gap between the gates. She was stuck.
She began to bang the gate as she cried out for help; she yelled, “Make una come comot me for here o” (please get me out of here). Her shriek got the attention of people in the neighbourhood as they ran in the direction of this female voice.
As the crowd gathered at the gate, one of the Samaritan’s asked, “Madam, how did you get in there?” In response, she narrated how she’d jumped into this compound when the robbery attack occurred. Another Samaritan asked again, “Madam, how did you say you got in again?” she replied, “I said I jumped.” The crowd then chorused, “Madam Jump out again na”, she shrilled, “I cannot!”
They ended up, using a ladder to get her out.
So the big question here is “How come under pressure she did the impossible?”
She had the right motivation – to save her life from a bullet. With the motivation for safety was the release of adrenaline to do the impossible.
Well, the learning here is “We all have the capacity to do that which we consider impossible if we have the right motivation”.
Everyone has potential to do much more than they are currently doing but the bridge between potential and performance is motivation. Accompanying the release of motivation (strong positive emotion) is a chemical reaction that affects your actions and ultimately your results.
The big question to you is “What is your motivation?”
Why do you get out of bed daily? Why do you drive through traffic to the office? Why do you flip open your computer? What is driving you?
Some people are motivated by their income, others by the impact their lives make.
Here’s my driving force; here’s why I do what I do –
I am motivated by the smiles on the faces of people who have been impacted by words. I am motivated by the tears of joy on the faces of people who have been empowered with information that would change their lives forever. I am motivated by the privilege to be the tipping point; that pivotal moment of change in someone’s life. I am motivated by the scales that fall off people’s eyes; announcing their liberation. I am motivated by the celebrations of joy for someone who is fulfilling the essence of their existence; someone living their dreams. No amount of silver or gold can compare with these.
I am driven by the opportunities to coach individuals/corporations to discover and break limiting patterns, clarify their goals and to take massive action towards living their dreams.
What’s your motivation?
Bankole Williams
