The reason you lose motivation is because …

Photo by John Spooner. Some rights reserved.

The reason you lose motivation is because you start believing that you won’t win, that it won’t make a difference if you try, that your efforts are just a drop in the bucket, and not even worthwhile to try. — Dave Navarro

This explains the presence of so much evil in our world

This thought crosses my mind daily. It’s a factor that enters every equation I work out about where to place my time and effort. I bet that this is why a lot of people do not vote. I would not be surprised if this explains the presence of so much evil in our world - we often just assume its encroachment is inevitable and that we are powerless to stop it.

A burning desire to defeat apathy

In grade school I somehow developed a burning desire to defeat apathy. I vowed not to become like so many passive adults I saw daily - to not give up give up [Kafka reference]. Easier said than done.

GED Algebra classes to inner-city youth

In college I volunteered to teach some GED Algebra classes to inner-city youth. I had no training other than the inspiration of an outstanding high school Math teacher, Mr. Diano. Let me tell you, it was extremely difficult. I struggled every morning with the thought that I was not up to the challenge, that I was not helping these people make progress. The regular teacher looked at me funny, eroding my confidence. The students, sensing my insecurity, assumed I didn’t know what I was doing.

He left me alone with the students for a week

Then, he went on vacation and left me alone with the students for a week. These guys were tough. They had short attention spans and if they didn’t get it the first time they let you know in harsh terms. They only wanted to pass the GED test and refused to tolerate anything that looked like a divergence from the goal of learning the test.

I survived

I survived. I did not give up. But when the regular teacher came back he assumed I had screwed up and sent me packing. On top of the stressful week, that was a severe blow to my self-esteem. But at least I stuck with it and did my best. Fifteen years later I can look back on that with pride.

A week later

And I was thrilled a week later when he called me to say that he and the students now realized they had made good progress while I was there and I would be welcome back anytime.