There is no correlation between success and product ownership. Not a bit. How many times, however, did you try to compensate your lack of motivation with consumerism? How many times did you buy state-of-the-art equipment before you even got started with whatever you wanted to do? Products provide us with the illusion of accomplishment, the illusion of belonging. They send the message that we are part of something bigger, that we live a certain lifestyle; they offer us a pillar to hide behind. They are the easiest way to show the world what we want to represent without actually doing something or being good at it.
That of course is what advertisement tries to make us believe. You want to be a photographer? You simply need to have a state-of-the-art camera. You want to be a hip bohemian artist? Rent a trendy loft-studio in a chic neighborhood. You want to be a martial artist? Buy a fancy hoody made by a MMA apparel company. You want to gain some muscles? Just get the most expensive protein powder from your local supplement dealer. No work required.
What brand does define me best as a person? What product represents what I want to be? Get rid of such ways of thinking immediately. You don’t need this crutches. Detach yourself from them and learn to express your actual self. Don’t hide behind the marketing scheme of a company, you don’t need a lifestyle that advertising specialists created for the masses. Find your own lifestyle. Work within your circle of influence first before you start thinking about products to support it.
Don’t look for motivation in overhyped goods because the more you rely on them, the more they will eventually get in your way. They will hinder you because they replace your real intrinsic aspiration with extrinsic delusions. They replace your true self with a fake shell. This is not you, you are better than that.
A wise man once said: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” There is much truth in those words. Look at what you have and make it work for your goal.
Don’t look for motivation in overhyped goods because the more you rely on them, the more they will eventually get in your way. They will hinder you because they replace your real intrinsic aspiration with extrinsic delusions. They replace your true self with a fake shell. This is not you, you are better than that.
A wise man once said: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” There is much truth in those words. Look at what you have and make it work for your goal.
You don’t have a gym membership? Well, if there is no public fitness trail near your place you will probably find a playground somewhere? A school? A sports field? The opportunities to do chin-ups, dips and a whole lot of other exercises at such places are endless. Is there a hill or a flight of steps around your neighborhood? Sprint up to the top of them, walk back down and do it again- and again. I promise, you will never ask for a shiny Stairmaster again. You don’t have appropriated sports gear yet? Wear your old sneakers and some sweatpants. You want to take up martial arts but you don’thave a gi or rashguard? Call the school and ask if they provide some training clothes to borrow (they usually do) or if it is OK to wear regular shirts and shorts for your first classes (it usually is). Not owning something is never an excuse not to get started.
Effective people are usually very good at doingt things without the alleged support coming from such crutches. They know what they really need; they know what is dispensable and, most importantly, they don’t feel the urge of representing themselves through superficial appearance.They take action and create opportunities. This is not a gift. Everybody can do that. Just find something you truly want to do and it comes naturally. If you love to train you will find a way, always and anywhere. If you really want to be an artist, you will find opportunities to create art everywhere. If you, however, feel the need for external incentives you most likely don't love what you do as much as you thought you would. You are probably already in the trap of a prepacked marketing lifestyle which, however captivating it may be, does not allow you to actualize yourself. Reconsider if what you are currently doing matches what you really want to do. If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you will find an excuse.
Yes, I know, we all have our favorite products and brands. We all get excited about stuff and we are all guilty of buying into marketing schemes. Many goods give us pleasure beyond their pure utility. Be it for their aesthetic value, be it for their marketing, be it for the good feeling they give us about ourselves. There is nothing really wrong with that but the important thing is to recognize it as such. Ask yourself why do you want it so bad. Do you feel that, if you only had this product, everything will be alright? Do you feel that a certain product will finally get you started with something? Do you think that a specific brand represents better who you want to be than your actual behavior can? Do you think that not owning a particular product is the only thing standing between you and your breakthrough?
If a product or a tool or a gadget is compensation for something missing within you, work on you first. Liberate yourself from the need of outside stimulus and find your motivation within. After that you still can indulge yourself in the joy that comes with overpriced and unnecessary products - without depending on them.
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