Motivation Monday - "Settlin'" by Sugarland

I am typically a self-motivated person.  I take in praise and criticism, internalize it, consider it, and use it as fuel to keep going.  But, like most people I sometimes find myself in desperate need of a little “outside” motivation.  Sometimes I just need a little pick me up, something that reminds me why I am here, what I am doing, what is important etc.  … and sometimes I just need something that is going to put me in a good mood.

Fortunately there are a lot of motivating things out there if you are looking in the right place.  If you use your senses and open your mind you will find motivation … somewhere.  Some of the places I find motivation include: music, books, movies, and television.  I also find motivation by observing the people I know and love.  (I think this comes out of the notion “if he/she can do it then so can I!” but I am not entirely sure.)

Since motivation is a huge factor in why we do things I figured I would dedicate some time to it in my blog.  From now on Mondays are not just Mondays, they are Motivation Mondays!  Thus, on Mondays I will be blogging about things that motivate me, keep me going, or just in general lift my spirits.  Some of the things will work for you, some of the things you will think I am crazy for finding motivating, and some things you probably will not even bother to read, but that is ok.  Please feel free to share anything that motivates you as well … it never hurts to have extra motivation!

And so it begins ...

The last few weeks I have had the same Sugarland CD playing in my car and one of the songs I have been playing several times whenever I feel I need a lift or some encouragement.  The song is entitled “Settlin’”.  Press play on the video below to hear the song or you can just peruse the lyrics.

Here are the lyrics:

Fifteen minutes left to throw me together
For Mr. Right Now, not Mr. Forever
Don't know why I even try when I know how it ends
Lookin' like another, "Maybe we can be friends."
I've been leaving it up to fate
It's my life so it's mine to make

Chorus:
I ain't settlin'
For just getting by
I've had enough so-so
For the rest of my life
Tired of shooting too low
So raise the bar high
"Just enough," ain't enough this time
I ain't settlin' for anything less than everything

With some good red wine
And my brand new shoes
Gonna dance a blue streak around my living room
Take a chance on love, and try how it feels
With my heart wide open
Yeah, you know I will
Find what it means to be the girl
Who changed her mind
And changed the world

Repeat chorus

I ain't settlin'
For just getting by
I've had enough so-so
For the rest of my life
Tired of shooting too low
So raise the bar high
"Just enough," ain't enough this time

I ain't settlin'
For just getting by
I've had enough so-so
For the rest of my life
Tired of shooting too low
So raise the bar high

I ain't settlin'
No, no, no, no, no, no
So raise the bar high, high

The song is catchy on its own, but the lyrics really spoke to me.  It is MY life, so it is MINE to make.  I have had it with just "so-so" and being "good" "ok" or "fine."  I want to be more than that and I have the determination to work toward it.  No settling!! 

Finding motivation takes gumption!