Monday Motivation: 11 December

Got the Monday blues? Reclaim the day and set the tone for the entire week with these helpful, motivational tidbits:’

“Going in one more round when you don’t think you can. That’s what makes all the difference in your life” – Rocky Balboa, “Rocky IV”

What better way to start off the week with some gems from the beloved “Rocky” franchise! Starring Sylvester Stallone as lovable underdog Rocky Balboa, he overcomes many hurdles (whether it be in his personal life or in the ring) to become one of the best championship boxers in the world.

As the above quote from the fourth movie suggests, sometimes you need to put in a little extra work in order to achieve success. Even when you’re feeling at your most drained and weary, when you’re already running on all cylinders to give it everything you got, you’ve got to dig in deeper to find that one part of yourself which won’t quit and will give you the push you need to stay on your feet.

“It’s your right to listen to your gut; it ain’t nobody’s right to say no after you earned the right to be where you want to be and do what you want to do!” – Rocky Balboa, “Rocky Balboa”

Nobody expected much from “Rocky Balboa” when it was released in 2006: after all, the sixth film – coming 16 years after the disastrous prequel, “Rocky V” – was about an elderly Rocky coming out of retirement to box a younger, cockier fighter.

But, as the movie proved, Rocky (and the franchise at large) had still got it, as seen when he re-applies for his boxing licence. He is dismayed when the athletic commission rejects his application, which leads to the above quote.

You know your limits. You know what you are good at doing, so that means being realistic and acting accordingly wherever possible; by the same token, limits shouldn’t hold you back totally, and there are limits that you are capable of overcoming if you properly apply yourself. No one knows you as much as you do; as such, no one should hold you back in accordance with their own criteria.

It’s imperative to hear others out, but ultimately you have to listen to what your inner voice is telling you – remember, you alone know what you can or cannot do.

“Nobody is gonna hit as hard as life, but it ain’t how hard you can hit. It’s how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. It’s how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done” – Rocky Balboa, “Rocky Balboa”

When critics and audiences sat down to watch the sixth flick, they were understandably sceptical. Of course, they left the cinemas feeling blown away, particularly by the powerful speech a fiery, passionate and determined Rocky delivers to his equally sceptical son before he goes the distance at the boxing bout.

Life is harsh as it is beautiful. There will be a fair share of failures to take alongside successes; these may be hard to endure at first. However, if you keep a positive mindset and put in the hard work, your ability to persevere will strengthen – perseverance allows you to take the blows accordingly, to be carried through your failures, and to grow and reach your full potential.