In my travels I have noticed that people are looking for motivation in any form to get them over the hump. One day in my wife's classroom I saw a poster hanging with the words desire, discipline, and dedication as being the essential 3 D's to success. I thought about each one carefully and came up with the following. I hope you will enjoy and feel free to agree or disagree.

Desire

In the dictionary the word desire has many synonyms and they all have the same theme, wanting or craving to have something or possess something that is worthy to you on a personal level. I believe that desire comes from within to change our lives whether it is financial, social, or belief in God or whatever higher power you have chosen. Desire can also be a determinant into your "WHY". What is "WHY"? It is the very inner feelings we have when asking ourselves is there more I can do? I remember as a younger adult always working jobs where I wasn't ever going to make it to the top just because of my lack of education. At some point something clicked inside me and I needed to find a better option than being a yard monkey for the rest of my life. I made a decision to go to college and have a choice about the kind of jobs I wanted instead of being forced to work dead end jobs. My desire to want more for my family and myself was so strong that I made a change. What is your "WHY" and what are YOU planning to do about it?

Discipline

Discipline is a behavior that is obtained through training or correction to help in the area of self-control where you act in accordance to the rules of conduct. In order to be the best at anything we have to be disciplined to say no to outside distractions. Let's take an example of a world class athlete. They have to maintain a high level of performance all the time or else someone will be there to replace them. Of course we all have different skill levels but nothing can replace hard work. The athlete has to be disciplined on training, nutrition, and rest. Focus would be another term that can be used in conjunction with discipline. You have an ultimate goal in mind and so focusing on that goal to achieve it takes discipline to not stray from it. What drives you to be disciplined on a daily basis?

Dedication

This is the complete and wholehearted devotion to something or someone like your job or spouse. On a personal note I have devoted myself to my family and went to college to help ensure that we would have a better life. I made a goal, had the desire, stayed disciplined with my studies and finished college with a degree in the technology field. My dedication to the plan ensured that my goal was completed and better times were to come. We have to put ourselves wholeheartedly into something to achieve our wants and desires to be successful and not allow others to be distractions along the way. What or who are you dedicated to? Is or are they enough for you to want to make a change? If you believe that change is what you are seeking then find it and tackle it 100%. I have sought out life changing events since my youth and now respect opportunities that present themselves.