2.13.2012

Pursuit one hundred & thirteen: Learning From the Pursuits of Another ~ Anna Soliveres


Do you ever think about why some people do the bare minimum and some go so far above and beyond, they’re like a real life superhuman? These people seem to have an abundance of energy that the thought of just makes you sag with exhaustion.

After much thought, I've come to realize that it doesn't have much to do with energy at all. Sure your physical state helps, but these people seem to be driven with an unbelievable amount of focus and desire. The question is, why? What drives them to exhaust so much more energy when so many others spend their limited time doing just enough?

"We do what we do at the level we do it because of self-interest; we think it's best for us. Those who work hard do so because they believe there is a reward awaiting them that not only justifies their efforts, but demands their dedication" - says David Niven, PhD, author of 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People

These people who function like supermen/women know the value of the things they want and the level of commitment and effort that it requires of them to get there.

I meet some of the brightest students from all across the country. Their resumes could put mine and several of my colleagues to absolute shame! These students volunteer to help children in need, raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for a good cause, have won every physics contest in the U.S.; they are working on their second masters or PhD, have their own start-up, written publications--the list is endless! And they tell me they're working towards something that they believe will make their lives amazing. So they work around the clock doing everything, competing against classmates, against themselves, pushing their limits trying to get ahead. They know the value of what they want and how much it will ask of them. So they do it. Whatever it takes. They do it.

So you have a goal--a dream. You're not there yet, but you want to be. It means that much to you. Ask yourself: how much dedication is it going to require of me to get there? Write it down. Make a promise to yourself--that getting there will make your life better. Lay out a timeline, set progressive goals to meet, and then make it happen.

What I'm telling you may or may not motivate you--motivation like this only works once anyway. It's up to you to keep yourself psyched and achieve the smaller milestones you set. This is the true measure of success, the propeller of motivation—reaching those small milestones one at a time. That's what will keep you motivated.

Have confidence in yourself that you too will succeed!

My name is Anna, I work full time as a relationship specialist for a leading software company in the Silicon Valley and I am an aspiring novelist. One day, my books will sit amongst the shelves of readers around the world. That's what drives me. Thousands of hours are spent on trying to achieve this goal, and I won't stop until I get there.

Follow Anna on her written journey to become published novelist at, If you wish to be a writer, write.


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