My name is Michael Sam.

I currently work at Stafford High School as a history teacher and football coach.

Like many boys in Texas, I grew up on great food and quality football. My dream, from a very young age, was to play in the National Football League. I worked tirelessly for this dream to become a reality. From team workouts to individual sessions, others would say my life was consumed with the game. As I continued towards this dream, I began to view myself as others saw me, a football player, a jock. What motivated me had transitioned from just the love of the game to the approval or attention I received from others. During my sophomore year at Rice University, where I competed with for the Rice Owl football team, I had a career-ending injury. In the blink of an eye, everything that my identity was based on, being a college football player, and everything that I was working towards, was no more. In this juncture, I began to examine my life. Where I had been, where I was going, and how this life changing event impacted my hopes and dreams. During this season of my life, I realized that what drove me, the approval and attention of others, was not fulfilling. Instead it had gotten me to a point where I was hopeless. I no longer could be the person others expected me to be because I no longer could deliver those same results. It was at this point where I decided others opinions could not define my life. I had to have a motivation that was much bigger than people or circumstances.

Motivation is defined as the reason or reasons one has for action or behaving a particular way.

The reality is, in life, work, and relationships, our circumstances changes and people change, but you can remain consistent through the obstacles that come your way. The properly motivated individual will not ride the waves of life’s highs and lows, but will remain consistent. Their reason for completing their task, whether it be their vision for family or desire to climb the corporate ladder, will be much bigger than what others think, but it would be tied to their overall purpose in life.

In August 2020, I transitioned from a vocational ministry job to be a high school teacher and coach. My hours have tripled, the work is challenging in new ways, and I am not getting paid what I was, but I am as motivated as I have ever been. Why? I believe my life was created to be lived for the good of others, first beginning with the family, and then spreading to others. I have found, through self-examination and the observations of close friends, that I am most effective and happy in fulfilling this purpose when I am engaging, equipping, and empowering high school aged students, especially through sports.

As I wrap up, my tips for you all who are trying to find motivation in life, work, or even in relationships, is to start with your “why?” What is the reason you are involved with that person or organization or career? How does that reason connect with why you believe you were created? If you find yourself simply in a season of hardship, the value of your motivation is found in your ability to stay the course knowing that the prize at the end is worth the momentary challenges you will endure to achieve it. If there is no connection, maybe it’s time to change directions. Life is too short and there are too many opportunities out there for you to let time pass not doing what brings you life.

May your motivation not run dry, but be big enough to drive you through the high and lows of the ride called life.

That was a powerful note to end off on. Thank you, Michael, for sharing your story. It’s an important reminder to me and to all of us because we can only benefit from asking ourselves why we are doing what we’re doing.

One line in particular stands out to me and that is, “I believe my life is created to be lived for the good of others.” To Michael, that is being a phenomenal teacher and coach to students. To me, it’s studying so I can write policy to help Americans live better lives. Dedicating your life to social responsibility is tireless work, as Michael mentioned, but it’s also the most rewarding. I encourage you to ask yourselves the question Michael asks in all aspects of your life, because doing so will allow you to stay motivated, even in hardship. It will also allow you to embrace change, as Michael showed by talking about his switch from his ministry job to his teaching job. That is valuable advice for college students like me who may be entering the job market in the next few years. And it’s definitely something to keep in mind. Always look for something better, especially in places where you can increase your social impact. Those opportunities are out there. You just need to go looking for them.