The End Game

What motivates you when you start a project or relationship? What enters your mind when you wake up every morning and plan your day?
It’s a worthy question to ask yourself since your motivation at any time is not just important for its effect on others, but for your own satisfaction.

Let’s face it: if you are not sufficiently motivated, the chances are good that whatever you do will not positively impact others or bring desired results. Thus, it’s important to think what you hope to accomplish by your efforts when contemplating a large project, or even doing simple things during your day. A perfect example: if you are out with friends enjoying a great dinner and you take photos of your meal to post on Instagram, what’s the end game there? Do you hope to get likes for your meal, for the idea that you can spend time with friends enjoying a great dinner, or to get an ego boost about your photo abilities? And think about this too: how much time do you want to spend for this re-enforcement? Ask yourself whether this task of getting the perfect pic interferes with what is supposed to be pure leisure with no gain attached to it.

In general, contemplating the “end game” for efforts large or small is a good thing, because not only do you learn about your current priorities, you give yourself the chance to grow. And you will waste much less time, too. There are many factors to consider when you think about your end game.  Does your effort result in:

a. Enhanced awareness?
b. Increased compassion?
c. More financial security?
d. A better work environment
e. More control over time?
f. Benefits to others?
g. General increase in satisfaction/fun?
h. More leisure time?
i. More loving relationships?
j. A more beautiful or tranquil home?

What factors influence your end game?