This article can be a little existential, but I was eating today with some friends of mine and we were talking about the theme of “happiness”, of being doing what you love, of being living life the way you want.

I think you can have moments of happiness in life, when you achieve a goal, when you receive a good news, when you work motivated.  Maybe you can define a list of things that makes you happy, don’t put just material things in that list that are related to money.   Trace your goals and work hard for it, begin with small goals and when you accomplish it you will taste a bit of happiness.

If you love what you do at your job and you have a “motto” your days will be easier.  If you like something else very different that have nothing to do with your current job or your career…make a second plan and go ahead, do it and enjoy it.

Staying motivated sometimes is hard — our life is constantly assaulted by negative thoughts and also anxiety about the future. At some point of our life everyone faces doubt and depression. What separates the highly successful is the ability to keep moving forward.

There are 3 primary reasons we lose motivation.

1. Lack of confidence – If you don’t believe you can succeed, what’s the point in trying?
2. Lack of focus – If you don’t know what you want, do you really want anything?
3. Lack of direction – If you don’t know what to do, how can you be motivated to do it?

I found this reasons in a website called Pick the Brain, that have an interesting article about how to motivate yourself.

But well, maybe motivation is the key to stay happy at your work.  You must have motto, goals, desires, aspirations, achievements to success in life.   A good advice: when you achieve a big goal, enjoy it but quickly set a new one.

For me, at this moment my “mottos” are simples: make wilderness travels on weekends and define the path to follow in my career.

And for you, what’s your motivation?