Self Motivation

Back in Primary school, my parents used to tell me ( and still do sometimes ) that if I do well in school, I can have a good job, a bright future, etc. and the school told us that if we do well, we can go to the good secondary school that we desire to go to. 

Being an obedient child ( most, of the time :p ), I studied hard for my exams and of course the PSLE. But all these importance and going to a good school in the future did not really motivate me at all.  It pushes me to do well but it was something that my parents and society want, and not what I wanted for my own. 

What I'm trying to say is that, self motivation is important. It is important to find something that you want in your life, that you wish to pursue, that you wish to do for life and what you want for YOURSELF. 

People around you can encourage you, motivate you, tell you the rationale behind what you are doing, but ultimately it's you who is really motivating yourself. 

So I find it sad when children's life are being structured and planned by their parents, and I know that parents are more matured, want the best for them and that they need to be guided, but just forcing them to lead a life that only their parents like and have made for them, without negotiating whether they like it or not, considering their feelings on the decision or whether is it beneficial to them, is really mean. 

Often, these kids will ask themselves, " What am I working hard for? " because they do not have their own self motivation and may have low self esteem. People around them are planning their own life, but they feel that they are left in the dust, having to lead a planned and restricted life, and not making their own journey. They have to follow a path, whether they like it or not. There's no other choice. 

I have a friend whose parents are like that. He is forced to take up accountancy in the future no matter what. But seriously, what's the deal with accountancy? Is accounting the best job on earth? No. Will accounting guarantee that you will make more money than everybody in this world? Again, NO. 

I think it is better to let kids find their own drives. 

I am not saying that you shouldn't listen to your parents advice because sometimes, they may know better than you, and I am not against parents telling their children as to why the path they choose is not really beneficial, but please know the difference between " advising " and " dictating ".  

In a nutshell, Listen to your heart. You plan your life. You decide what's best for you. Self motivation is called " self " motivation for a reason. 

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