Monday Motivation
A couple of weeks ago I asked my newsletter readers and my social media followers why they enjoy motivational quotes on Mondays. This Monday Motivation hashtag has become a social media phenomenon that is quite puzzling to me. Why would anyone need something motivational on Mondays? Isn’t that a sign that something is off? Wouldn’t it be a better idea to do something about it, instead of easing the pain for a day with a nice quote? I mean, really!
I remember feeling miserable on Sunday mornings already. Thinking of going back to the office on Monday made me freak out on my precious weekend. My then partner didn’t quite get it. What on earth could be so horrible about my high status job? Well, it was a soul eating one. I had great colleagues, but my actual tasks where degrading, to say the least. It still leaves me wondering why on earth you need a strong education, exceptional skills and get through a concours, to then be doing assignments that a clerk could do, with much more fulfillment. Such a waste of brains and talents! Now this can go well for a while, but at a certain point you find yourself completely empty inside. I had purchased a home I actually wanted to enjoy, instead of only crush at. And I had an amazing cat I wanted to spend quality time with.
But I’m derailing. Back to the motivational quotes. One of the reactions to my question was that the motivational quotes serve as a reminder of a higher goal, and that actually not only the beginning of the week is a favorite moment to consume them, but all week long… Okay, that makes sense. I’m glad that this lady doesn’t need them to get the week started, but more to keep on track. I can relate to that.
Another reader asked me to post my favorite quote. Well, that’s not so difficult. You can find them on my website. If you ever wonder for more information about me and what I stand for, my website is the place to go.
Here’s an example. My favorite quote from an Italian writer, who called himself Italo Svevo, is from his famous novel “La coscienza di Zeno”. Not only do I love this quote on itself, I love everything about it. Italo Svevo is one of my favorite Italian authors. He lived in my favorite Italian city, Trieste, and he wrote in a very relatable way. As if he were a friend talking to you. So while having a chat with the reader, he drops the famous words about life:
“La vita non ‘e ne’ brutta, ne’ bella, ma e’ originale!” Life is not ugly, nor beautiful, but original. And that is so true. Also today. 2020 is certainly original.
My question for you is, how original would you like it to get? Do you struggle reacting to it, or are you taking it into your own hands and create much of it yourself? Even in “original” times?
And what is your favorite quote? Mine is not just Svevo’s, but I also love my own. I love to quote myself. I know this makes people feel uncomfortable, but in my opinion sharing your own thoughts with the world should become the norm. Don’t you think?
A month or so ago, I attended a network event (finally!), where we were asked to split up in small groups and brainstorm together on each other’s hot points. Now this was an interesting experience. It was very brave to share challenges with people who were total strangers. On the other hand, it was also very brave to give advice to someone you hardly know. Sharing your thoughts with the little information that you get about them and their situation. The not so surprising thing that happened was that the guy in the group was giving the most advice. But the stunning thing he kept on saying was “I wish so and so would be here now. She would probably say this and that.” He repeated this with pretty much all the cases. It became a bit silly to me, this “what would X say about this” instead of just giving your own opinion. So I made the “joke” that I wanted to give the advice, that I would give to this person, if I were… me…
See how silly that sounds? But it’s true! Sometimes we do have ideas, opinions, thoughts that we would like to share, but we kind of hide behind other people’s ideas, rather than exposing ourselves directly. This could also be a tactic to create authority, but quite frankly, if you dare to stand for your own “quotables” then I believe that’s way more strong, than hiding behind one of millions of the same old guru’s quotes.
Dear ladies, we also have something worthwhile to share. Let’s quote ourselves, shall we?
I’ll start:
“I love to share my quotes. They are the best. And I encourage you to do the same.”
#Isharemyownquotes #Iquotemyself
Looking forward to reading your favorite quotes! Hoping most of them are your own!
Best,
Anna