THE REAL TOP

As Dr. Seuss once wrote, "The more that you read, the more things you will know.  The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." I love diving into a good to great book each day.  It opens up new doors for me, my family, and for my scholars.  Exposure to information can and will change the situation.  That's right. The circumstances or conditions of life can change when you embrace them with a great books.  It opens up the new conversation.  It opens up the new vocabulary. It opens up the new intellectual person.  

So, why do we do the things we do in life today?  And what is it that drives our behaviors?  Well, many psychologists have proposed some different ways of thinking about motivation, including one method that involves the outside (extrinsic) and (intrinsic) the individual. 

SO, WHAT IS INTRINSIC MOTIVATION?

When you have intrinsically motivated your behavior is motivated by your internal desire to do something for personal fulfillment, enjoyment, activity, or the desire to learn a skill because you are eager to learn.  Okay. . . some examples of this are; reading a good. Reading a great or extraordinary book that opens the door of great opportunities.  Another example is to exercise our body and spirit. And lastly, cleaning or organizing our home, class, or office.

SO, WHAT IS EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION?

When you are extrinsically motivated, your behavior is motivated outwardly or external factors. And these push toward losing weight or finishing a book or article for a quiz or test. Thus saying it is for some type of reward or earning.

In fact, schools are of particular interest when it comes to intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation, particularly because of the different outcomes that research have shown to result from intrinsic motivation: more interest, excitement, confidence, enhanced performance, persistence, creativity, self-esteem, general well-being, and balance (In Ryan and Deci, 2000: Deci and Ryan, 1991; Sheldon, Ryan, Rawsthorne, IIardi 1997; Deci and Ryan, 1995; Ryan, Deci and Grolnick, 1995). Over the past five years, I have tested and probed myself toward winning the day. . . all 365 of them! And I cannot wait to rewrite these words and say; "I have been writing and reading two-three hours a day for the past thirty-five years and there's still more to learn." Over the past five years, I have read and heard several theorists, researchers, and doctors offend the God given ability to achieve more than what was expected from the fashion of others.

The phenomenon of achievement is truly a choice and practice of great habits. After more than a few years, they have become the habit to which is congruent to the purpose. I went from extrinsically motivated, to intrinsically motivated forever. . . no excuse and no compromising. And all because of the benefits behind it! Of course, this is not to suggest that extrinsic motivation is bad or not good. It too, has a purpose but what happens when it runs out? People tend to drop out or quit, right? Well, that's because they really didn't want to commit or embrace the change. I believe it was Dr. Anders Ericsson who brought up the subject of the 10,000 rule. Dr. Ericsson Professor of Psychology at the University of Florida State. He spent some time studying what it takes to be the best in your lane. He spoke about what skills and abilities you need to dominate music, chess, medicine, sports, mechanics, and yes even learning all in 10,000-hours. 

In fact, this subject has been mentioned in several books over the years, some have been misinterpreted in my professional opinion. The first was by Malcolm Gladwell. No disrespect, but he and others clearly didn't give enough data to prove that Dr. Ericsson was wrong. Therefore, if you truly want to make genuine change within your personal or professional life tomorrow starts today. I'll give you some tips that helped me and other great mentors within my life. I hope you enjoy and share them with someone you care about. 

1) Follow the 80/20 Rule
20% of what you do will produce 80% of what you truly want. 

2) Learn from failure 
Never give up on the person you truly want to be in life. There are no shortcuts in succeeding or achievement. 

3) Focus on quality and authenticity
If you stay faith-based you won't lose and it will help in staying authentic. 

4) A challenge today, an opportunity tomorrow
Remember, with every seed of difficulty is a seed of opportunity. No one ever wrote a book saying; life would be perfect. 

5) Greatness starts with your environment
Never allow your mind or heart to be fashioned by others, you are the author of your environment. So, surround yourself with greatness.  

6) Live health 
Make it a habit to eat right and get plenty of exercises for a healthy tomorrow. 

7) Hardwork Morning
Benjamin Franklin once wrote; "early to bed and early to rise, makes a healthy wealthy, and wise." Therefore, try to complete your most important task or note first thing in the morning.   


I saw a study two years ago about 300 participants who died all at the average of 89. They discovered that those who were engaging in mental activities such as reading, puzzels, and memory card games all declined from the patients that died. The rate of decline of those that trained their minds and hearts was 48% faster than those who didn't. Please, remember your brain and heart require exercise to keep it strong and healthy, just like those muscles within the body.

Regards, 

Coach Frank Sagasta