Living life to me means achieving your potential in every area of your life. It took a lot of living before I actually developed a strategy to live. (Something I was never taught in school.) It may also work for you. Always remember before embarking on any advice to think deeply. What do I know? What do I need to know? Who can I run this by? Mother? Father? Partner? Good friend? Who do you respect? What could the consequences be? Always compare feedback to your own wants before acting, and research as much as you feel you need to.
Motivation.
Motivation Means to move. How do we get from where we are, to where we want to be? Wally Wattles in his book, "The Science of Success" says to start where you are. You need to make your current life work, as hard as that may be, then you can move onto the next leg of your journey. (You could look at life as a journey.) He also said that to really experience life, you need money-or commodities. If you want to live your life in abundance (which is our birthright-), you need to have enough money.(Or thing related to your wants; not needs. Needs don't really excite us into action as much as our wants do). You don't have to be a millionaire, but to have enough to support the lifestyle (Included would be things like enhancement and maintenance) you choose. "Loving money is a sin." True, but not if you do it in a balance to the other areas of your life.
Selfish or Self-Centered?
The difference between being selfish and self centered, is selfish wants for myself. There is nothing wrong with that. Self centered means I want for myself yes, but at your expense. Bad move. There is enough for all of us. If not, you can learn to create more by studying your role models. (But be competitive as well. Even before we were born, the sperm cells had to compete. It's in our make-up.) Life is continually changing, and we can be constantly evolving. Learning for learning sakes is great for those collectors of knowledge, but learning the skills you need could be moving you in the direction you want. You may need a course in time management, or speed reading etc. You would know, by defining where it is you are headed.
This may require a career change. Even, perhaps a location change? If you live your life by the following phrase, it wont take long to get to where you desire to be. "I will do the most constructive thing with every second I spend." That may mean, taking a break.
There seems to be a certain rhythm to life. Summer, Autumn,Winter and Spring. Crawl, walk, run. Bud, fruit, seed, etc. The same with achievement. Become, do, then have. But in that sequence. Plant the seed in the right conditions, feed the plant, then reach for the stars. I heard the explanation of comparing our life growth to a pyramid, divided into say, three areas. (Or how ever many may work for you.) The bottom being security, middle acceptance and the top actualization. I.E.-
Security.
This is your foundation, and is really two different levels-the first being air, water and sleep. The second level is then food, shelter, clothing and love. (Try to love yourself first-then it is easier to love others.) This level must be satisfied before one can move to the next level, being acceptance. You can't pick the fruit before it's ripe.
Acceptance.
This level is where you achieve recognition, status, respect and acceptance. As with actualization, the best way to achieve this level would be to complete the previous level.
Actualization.
This is the area of life we ultimately strive to achieve. This area is living life on an as and when basis. As if you had a magic wand, and could create when you choose whatever your wildest dreams desire. This is the level where you would discover and unlock hidden talent.
I wish you every success.
