We all face challenges. This is just how life is; there is nothing like a straight line in life, and hurdles are bound to be there.

However, what you do with such challenges determines your success, your outlook on life, and hence your life. Motivation reminds me of the fire in the heart when everything in the surroundings seems to be as dark as night. Yes, but how does one continue to motivate himself when the goals set in front of him seem unreachable? Let’s be honest about it. At this level, the decision-making is brutal.

First off, stop mincing your words. Life is tough. Period. It’s very important for people to know that every person has his or her obstacles—some of them perhaps greater—but nobody is immune from having to confront life’s difficulties.

When faced with challenges, it is crucial to have a compelling reason for your behaviour. This can be written down, spoken out loud, or displayed on various surfaces. Remembering your why helps maintain grounding and motivation. Overwork can lead to overwhelm, so break down problems into smaller, doable steps. Focus on being where you are and on the next step. Progress is key, and one brick at a time can help overcome obstacles. Surround yourself with positive friends who encourage you and challenge you. Eliminate negative messages that demoralise or deflect you from your goals. If motivation doesn't come, build discipline, which means doing specific work regardless of your state of mind. This will generate momentum to overcome all odds in life.

It feels unpleasant to take action once you’ve convinced yourself that something is wrong; try to train yourself to go out there and do something regardless of your feelings. The longer someone muscles through the discomfort, the stronger a person is, or at least this is what we learned. And once we get the fruits of our labour, that’s when motivation will kick in.

In the event of the arising of the challenges, try to picture how the challenge will be when you are overcoming it. Now imagine yourself on the other side of the barrier; it’s a different person, powerful and experienced. How will you feel? How will your life be? Visualisation is not about the hocus-pocus; it is a very effective strategy to stay on the right track.

A surgeon knows that obstacles are fleeting while victory is eternal; a victor knows that victory is long-lasting. Don’t forget the picture above to bring you back to memory that today’s suffering makes the strongest man for the next day.

Final Thoughts

Difficult moments are expected, and that means that quitting has never stood as a viable strategy. This skill is not about waiting for a convenient time or looking for some help or easier situations. It is sort of like going back to the basics and not just asking the question ‘why’ but also having to come up with the answer when the very thought of continuing seems unbearable. No situation happens to you that does not present a learning opportunity for you. The fire that purifies you is the same one that will produce your gain.

Now, stop waiting for the perfect conditions. Get out there and fight for what you want—because nobody’s going to hand it to you.