And that is the most difficult thing. Motivation has to be intrinsic. It cannot be attached to financial incentives, approval, or admiration from others. Those can be great kick-starters, but they cannot sustain motivation.
The above quote, “service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth,” attributed to Muhammed Ali, reminded me of the reason why I left the corporate and started a business in executive and leadership coaching as well as corporate education.
Also, the trigger.
When I attended the graduation ceremony in Orange County, California, in 2017, for my Master's degree in Psychology, I heard a speech by an octogenarian graduate. She spoke about how she wanted to serve her community after graduating.
That was inspirational.
On the other hand, I think the quote above is missing one essential element of self-motivation: the joy of doing it and love for the people.
That is the difference between just paying rent and living in a place versus enjoying the neighborhood and feeling proud of being part of it.
Here is another quote that helps me keep motivated:
Your seemingly inconsequential acts today could be the catalyst for someone’s remarkable tomorrow.
You may not see the ripples extend—but they’re there, moving beneath the surface, shaping the future in ways beyond your wildest imaginations.
(From Ozan Varol's blog. He describes himself, as "I’m a rocket scientist turned award-winning professor and best-selling author." Like me, he is also a native of Istanbul.)
Another quote for enjoying what we do while providing joy for others:
I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try.