8.5 Dawn Fraser: Keep Going

“I've always believed that the desire must come from within, not as a result of being driven by coaches or parents.” - Dawn Fraser

On a scale of 1-5, how motivated are you? Are you kind of motivated when you feel like it, or are you always motivated to do what you know you need to do, how you are supposed to do it?

Motivation is the internal drive or desire that pushes someone to take action toward a goal. It's what gives you the reason to start something, the energy to keep going, and the focus to finish.

Dawn Fraser is an Australian swimming legend—regarded as one of the greatest female sprint swimmers in Olympic history. She once said, “I've always believed that the desire must come from within, not as a result of being driven by coaches or parents.”

She is saying motivation—the kind that lasts and leads to greatness—has to be intrinsic and come from inside you, not from outside pressure. You have to want it for yourself—not because a coach is yelling, or a parent is pushing.

External pressure might work short-term, but long-term success comes when you decide it's worth the work.

But motivation doesn’t last—sometimes you just don’t feel like doing what you know you have to do, and that is where discipline and habits come in.

So, what motivates you? What is a goal or dream you have for yourself? What do you want to accomplish?

Let motivation get you started on the right path, and then create a plan of action. What are the 3-5 things you have to do to make it happen? 

Finally, stay disciplined to the plan knowing motivation can come and go.

Something to Think About: What is a goal that motivates you, and how can you stay disciplined enough to make it happen?