Self-Motivation on the Darkest Days

By Ibby Smith-Stofer

Some days are great. Some days are not so great. When they are great, we often find ourselves feeling very energized with the belief that we can accomplish anything! In fact, the advice we were given early in life and in our careers was that the world is our oyster. Within this oyster, we are the pearl, or with luck, we will find a pearl.

On other days, though, we must drag ourselves through the chores that lay before us. Work and life in general feel unfair on those days. We can’t seem to finish anything, everything seems to go wrong, and we are unable to keep going and moving forward.

It’s on days like that when you need to take a break and think about what you have already accomplished and the challenges you have already overcome.

There is a proverb that may bring a smile and lift your spirits on those days.

Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow but a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day.

“Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow but a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day.”
Indian Proverb

Not every day will be full of sunshine, success, and happiness. Sometimes we will need to find motivation or inspiration, especially on those days where we feel a lack of motivation, or even when we’re feeling down for other reasons—whether personal or professional. This is true for all of us. Many choose their faith as that source, others choose family or close friends. For those who feel they need a more obscure way, there are many quotes, podcasts, images, or consultants who are accessible to all.

Working remotely and as an independent team member as well as a distant family member from my siblings and their families, I find comfort in seeking out motivational phrases and imagery so I can turn to that on those days.

Here are a few of my favorites. It would be great to know how others reading this find their motivation and inspiration. But in the meantime, I hope you find these random gems insightful and will take the time to reflect on the messages.

As you read this, whether today is great for you or is a not so great one, remember that:

Tomorrow will be what you make of it!

Wishing you only great days but know that we are in control of how we react to whatever life gives us day after day.