Latest news with #motivation
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vikings report for camp realizing the hard work required to better a 14-win season
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings were just hours into their offseason, eliminated from the playoffs with a lopsided loss, when Jonathan Greenard was moved to challenge himself and his teammates to embrace the hard work of trying to better a 14-4 record and avoid another one-and-done. 'More is required,' the veteran edge rusher posted on social media. Three months later, Greenard's spontaneous slogan turned into a T-shirt. The motivational swag was waiting for every player at his locker upon arrival for the start of strength and conditioning sessions in the spring. 'You can only control your individual effort, and as long as you do that, you're going to pull somebody else and they're going to see that and it's going to be infectious for the whole team, the whole building,' Greenard said earlier in the offseason, explaining the purpose of spreading the word beyond a simple tweet. The mantra has resonated throughout a well-regarded organization that will again field a well-built roster in 2025 but still faces questions about its viability as a championship contender. The Vikings, of course, are one of the few NFL teams that have existed for the entire Super Bowl era but never won one. 'Because clearly that scale hasn't been tipped for us,' right tackle Brian O'Neill said, 'and we need to find a way to make that happen.' As players reported to training camp this week, coach Kevin O'Connell turned up the volume on the messaging. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell each signed contract extensions during the offseason, keeping their job statuses in sync as they embark on their fourth year together while also raising the bar for expectations. The Vikings have not won a playoff game since they arrived, a drought going back to the 2019 season. 'We feel proud of some of the things we've accomplished, but at the same time I think it's time for all of us to continue to look inward first,' O'Connell said Tuesday at a joint news conference with Adofo-Mensah to formally kick off the season. 'It's time for us to acknowledge what we're actually trying to build here, and what that's going to take is — in my opinion — an invisible presence of understanding that we're capable but we've got to put in a lot of work to feel totally worthy in those moments to get to where we want to get to.' Darrisaw highlights list of healthy players The Vikings started only two players on the physically unable to perform list: tight end Gavin Bartholomew (back), their sixth-round draft pick, and linebacker Chaz Chambliss (foot), an undrafted rookie. That means left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who's recovering from reconstructive knee surgery after tearing his ACL last year, and new right guard Will Fries, whose 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts ended early because of a broken leg, are right on track. O'Connell said both players would likely be limited to individual drills at the beginning of training camp to complete the ramping-up process, but the likelihood of having both key blockers ready for Week 1 is a vital boost for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Addison could face suspension after resolution of court case Wide receiver Jordan Addison last week pleaded guilty to a lesser charge that resolved his 2024 drunken driving citation, clearing the way for potential discipline from the league. Adofo-Mensah said the Vikings have not been given an indication about the timing of such a decision. 'Obviously, when that originally happened, we knew that it was a possibility, but really you're talking about team building in general: You might not have players on the field for various reasons, and you've always got to be ready with depth," Adofo-Mensah said. ___ AP NFL:
Washington Post
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Vikings report for camp realizing the hard work required to better a 14-win season
EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings were just hours into their offseason, eliminated from the playoffs with a lopsided loss , when Jonathan Greenard was moved to challenge himself and his teammates to embrace the hard work of trying to better a 14-4 record and avoid another one-and-done. 'More is required,' the veteran edge rusher posted on social media. Three months later, Greenard's spontaneous slogan turned into a T-shirt. The motivational swag was waiting for every player at his locker upon arrival for the start of strength and conditioning sessions in the spring. 'You can only control your individual effort, and as long as you do that, you're going to pull somebody else and they're going to see that and it's going to be infectious for the whole team, the whole building,' Greenard said earlier in the offseason, explaining the purpose of spreading the word beyond a simple tweet . The mantra has resonated throughout a well-regarded organization that will again field a well-built roster in 2025 but still faces questions about its viability as a championship contender. The Vikings, of course, are one of the few NFL teams that have existed for the entire Super Bowl era but never won one. 'Because clearly that scale hasn't been tipped for us,' right tackle Brian O'Neill said, 'and we need to find a way to make that happen.' As players reported to training camp this week, coach Kevin O'Connell turned up the volume on the messaging. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell each signed contract extensions during the offseason, keeping their job statuses in sync as they embark on their fourth year together while also raising the bar for expectations. The Vikings have not won a playoff game since they arrived, a drought going back to the 2019 season. 'We feel proud of some of the things we've accomplished, but at the same time I think it's time for all of us to continue to look inward first,' O'Connell said Tuesday at a joint news conference with Adofo-Mensah to formally kick off the season. 'It's time for us to acknowledge what we're actually trying to build here, and what that's going to take is — in my opinion — an invisible presence of understanding that we're capable but we've got to put in a lot of work to feel totally worthy in those moments to get to where we want to get to.' The Vikings started only two players on the physically unable to perform list: tight end Gavin Bartholomew (back), their sixth-round draft pick, and linebacker Chaz Chambliss (foot), an undrafted rookie. That means left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who's recovering from reconstructive knee surgery after tearing his ACL last year, and new right guard Will Fries, whose 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts ended early because of a broken leg, are right on track. O'Connell said both players would likely be limited to individual drills at the beginning of training camp to complete the ramping-up process, but the likelihood of having both key blockers ready for Week 1 is a vital boost for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Wide receiver Jordan Addison last week pleaded guilty to a lesser charge that resolved his 2024 drunken driving citation, clearing the way for potential discipline from the league. Adofo-Mensah said the Vikings have not been given an indication about the timing of such a decision. 'Obviously, when that originally happened, we knew that it was a possibility, but really you're talking about team building in general: You might not have players on the field for various reasons, and you've always got to be ready with depth,' Adofo-Mensah said. ___ AP NFL:
Al Arabiya
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Vikings report for camp realizing the hard work required to better a 14-win season
The Minnesota Vikings were just hours into their offseason, eliminated from the playoffs with a lopsided loss, when Jonathan Greenard was moved to challenge himself and his teammates to embrace the hard work of trying to better a 14-4 record and avoid another one-and-done. 'More is required,' the veteran edge rusher posted on social media. Three months later, Greenard's spontaneous slogan turned into a T-shirt. The motivational swag was waiting for every player at his locker upon arrival for the start of strength and conditioning sessions in the spring. 'You can only control your individual effort, and as long as you do that, you're going to pull somebody else, and they're going to see that, and it's going to be infectious for the whole team, the whole building,' Greenard said earlier in the offseason, explaining the purpose of spreading the word beyond a simple tweet. The mantra has resonated throughout a well-regarded organization that will again field a well-built roster in 2025 but still faces questions about its viability as a championship contender. The Vikings, of course, are one of the few NFL teams that have existed for the entire Super Bowl era but never won one. 'Because clearly that scale hasn't been tipped for us,' right tackle Brian O'Neill said, 'and we need to find a way to make that happen.' As players reported to training camp this week, coach Kevin O'Connell turned up the volume on the messaging. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell each signed contract extensions during the offseason, keeping their job statuses in sync as they embark on their fourth year together, while also raising the bar for expectations. The Vikings have not won a playoff game since they arrived, a drought going back to the 2019 season. 'We feel proud of some of the things we've accomplished, but at the same time, I think it's time for all of us to continue to look inward first,' O'Connell said Tuesday at a joint news conference with Adofo-Mensah to formally kick off the season. 'It's time for us to acknowledge what we're actually trying to build here, and what that's going to take is – in my opinion – an invisible presence of understanding that we're capable, but we've got to put in a lot of work to feel totally worthy in those moments to get to where we want to get to.' Darrisaw highlights list of healthy players The Vikings started only two players on the physically unable to perform list: tight end Gavin Bartholomew (back), their sixth-round draft pick, and linebacker Chaz Chambliss (foot), an undrafted rookie. That means left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who's recovering from reconstructive knee surgery after tearing his ACL last year, and new right guard Will Fries, whose 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts ended early because of a broken leg, are right on track. O'Connell said both players would likely be limited to individual drills at the beginning of training camp to complete the ramping-up process, but the likelihood of having both key blockers ready for Week 1 is a vital boost for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Addison could face suspension after resolution of court case Wide receiver Jordan Addison last week pleaded guilty to a lesser charge that resolved his 2024 drunken driving citation, clearing the way for potential discipline from the league. Adofo-Mensah said the Vikings have not been given an indication about the timing of such a decision. 'Obviously, when that originally happened, we knew that it was a possibility, but really you're talking about team building in general: You might not have players on the field for various reasons, and you've always got to be ready with depth,' Adofo-Mensah said.
Fast Company
a day ago
- General
- Fast Company
Motivation is a pattern: Moving from alarm clocks to purpose-driven success
Motivation isn't just a feeling—it's a pattern. A pattern of behavior, of habits, of choosing again and again to pursue something that matters. Too often we confuse motivation with external forces: deadlines, alarms, or pressure from bosses. But the most lasting, fulfilling kind of motivation comes from within. There are two types of motivation: alarm clock motivation and fulfillment-driven motivation. Alarm clock motivation is just what it sounds like—an external push. It's the reason you get up at 6:30 AM because your job or responsibilities demand it. It's duty-bound, sometimes driven by fear or necessity. Think of a teacher who wakes early because they have 30 kids waiting for them. It's not passion that gets them out of bed—it's the obligation. Fulfillment-driven motivation is different. It's internal. It's what happens when you believe you were meant to do something. That same teacher might be waking up at 6:30 AM not just to teach, but because they believe they're shaping minds and making a real difference in their community. That's purpose in action. And when your motivation is tied to fulfillment, your energy, creativity, and resilience increase dramatically. But to operate from fulfillment, your basic needs have to be met. You need stability: shelter, food, rest, safety, love. Only then can you lift your gaze beyond survival and start to think about the impact you want to make in the world. Subscribe to the Daily newsletter. Fast Company's trending stories delivered to you every day Privacy Policy | Fast Company Newsletters Many people set huge, noble goals—to start nonprofits, write books, change lives—but fail to get traction because they haven't overcome the basics. They're still stuck in alarm clock mode. And that's okay. It's a phase. But we must recognize that we can't get to fulfillment-driven motivation if we're still fighting to meet our daily needs. Once I reached a point where my family was stable—economically, emotionally, spiritually—that's when my motivation began to shift. I was no longer driven just by the need to provide, but by the desire to help others, to make an impact, to mentor and inspire. People lose enthusiasm when their motivation isn't sustainable. If you're driven only by money, fame, or a target metric, what happens when you hit it? Often, you find that the goal doesn't simplify your life—it complicates it. You need a deeper 'why' to carry you through. That's what fulfillment provides. The key is setting goals that are both attainable and purpose-driven. Don't aim for something completely out of reach just to prove a point. Instead, chunk your big dream into manageable pieces. One of my mentors used to say, 'The best way to eat an elephant is in hunks, chunks, and bites.' That's how motivation works best too. For example, instead of setting a goal to lose 50 pounds, start by going to the gym every day for two weeks. Then build from there. Instead of trying to get on a nonprofit board immediately, show up to events, serve, and connect authentically. Motivation builds when you take meaningful action—bit by bit. As I've grown, my motivation has shifted again. In my 20s, I was motivated by fun. In my 30s, by financial stability and growing a business. Now, as I approach 40, I'm motivated by spending time with my family, mentoring others, and making a meaningful dent in the world—just as Steve Jobs encouraged others to do. Ultimately, motivation is about setting yourself up for success, not burnout. It's about recognizing the season you're in and aligning your goals accordingly. So ask yourself: What motivates you now? And how can you break it down into the bites that will carry you forward? When you understand that motivation is a pattern—not a mystery—you gain the power to shape it.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Watch For These 4 Signs That You Need A Sabbatical Not A Vacation
A well-timed sabbatical does not disrupt your career. It protects it. It prevents erosion. There is a moment when even high performers start to feel flat. The work is steady, the output is consistent, but something is missing. Ideas feel repetitive. Motivation dips. Confidence flickers. It is not burnout exactly. It is not boredom either. It is a quiet internal signal that something has shifted. For many leaders (and those who work for them), this moment marks the beginning of sabbatical thinking. Not because they want to quit. But because they cannot grow from where they are. A sabbatical is not a luxury. It is not a reward. It is a strategy. When taken with intention, it becomes a turning point that restores energy, reclaims direction and rewires ambition. But knowing when to take one is not always obvious. The most common mistake people make is waiting too long. They delay because they are still performing. They defer because no one else is doing it. They convince themselves it is not the right time. But careers are built in seasons. And sometimes the most productive season starts with a pause. These are the four signals it might be time to step away. 1. You Are Performing Well but Learning Nothing There comes a stage in many careers where competence turns into autopilot. You still deliver. Others still rely on you. But the challenge is gone. The feedback gets quieter. The goals start to feel recycled. What once felt like achievement now feels like maintenance. That kind of success can become a trap. Because nothing is wrong, it is easy to keep going. But if you are not learning, you are not building. You are repeating. And repetition without growth erodes momentum. Learning is not just about new information. It is about new stimulation. Fresh inputs. Intellectual discomfort. When those disappear, so does the sense of movement. A sabbatical is not just a break from tasks. It is a break from patterns. It creates space for different questions. It introduces different environments. It helps professionals get off the treadmill of efficiency and ask harder questions about what comes next. When your learning curve flattens but your responsibilities stay high, that is often the signal that something needs to change. 2. You Are Working More to Feel Less Sometimes overwork is not about ambition. It is about distraction. Professionals who have been in the same environment for too long often absorb stress they no longer recognize. They stop reflecting. They stop questioning. Instead, they fill their time. You take on extra meetings. You overcommit to projects. You say yes to everything because you fear what would happen if you slowed down. The calendar is full, but the meaning is thin. That thinness shows up in strange ways. You forget why you used to care. You stop seeing your colleagues clearly. You skim, nod, move on. You are functional but detached. This is not sustainable. And it is not healthy. But it is common. A sabbatical resets the rhythm. It forces disconnection from the constant doing and reintroduces thinking. It gives you room to feel again. And when you can feel again, you can make better choices about your work, your relationships and your direction. If you are keeping busy to avoid asking deeper questions, that is not discipline. That is avoidance. And avoidance has a cost. 3. You Are Respected but No Longer Seen Another sign it might be time for a sabbatical is when your reputation is strong but your role has gone stale. You are trusted. People appreciate you. But they no longer expect anything new from you. You are no longer part of the big conversations. Your ideas land, but they do not stick. You are invited out of habit, not momentum. And inside, you know you are not contributing at your best. This is not failure. It is drift. And it happens more often than most people admit. Sometimes the best way to regain relevance is to step away. Not forever. But long enough to reframe your narrative. To reset how people experience you. To stop being the person who always shows up and start being the person whose return is noticed. Time away can restore visibility. It can create curiosity. And it can remind others that you are not just consistent. You are evolving. This is especially true for mid-career professionals. When the early growth curve levels out and the executive track feels unclear, a sabbatical can reorient long-term focus. It is not a retreat. It is a reframing device. And often, that reframing is what unlocks the next phase of contribution. 4. You Cannot Hear Yourself Think The final and clearest signal that it might be time for a sabbatical is noise. The meetings never end. The emails are constant. Your calendar has no white space and your head has no quiet. You find yourself reacting more than deciding. You feel pressure to always be on. You chase productivity not because it is meaningful but because it is expected. And somewhere in that noise, you have lost contact with your own direction. When you cannot hear yourself think, you stop making deliberate choices. You start managing optics. You confuse motion with progress. And you forget what used to make you feel alive. This is where a sabbatical becomes less of a reset and more of a rescue. Silence is not wasted time. It is a condition for clarity. And clarity is the only thing that will help you return stronger, sharper and more intentional. A well-timed sabbatical does not disrupt your career. It protects it. It prevents erosion. It signals maturity. And in many cases, it sets the conditions for your next leap forward.
