Did you rise out of bed this morning with a smile on your face and a spring in your step?

If not, why not? I'll tell you why not...you have no goals! Or if you do, they are not potent enough to keep you enthusiastic, let alone accomplish them.

There are many articles out there on how to accomplish your goals, but the truth is that unless you are feeling passionate and excited about what you want to achieve, your list of 'goals' will fall by the wayside like every other list you've made over the years.

Take heart, and remember: the past does NOT have to equal the future. Just because you have felt frustrated, or hopeless, or even emotionless when it has come to goals in the past, there are ways to create and achieve goals that inspire you to new heights of happiness and excitement.

First things first for today: goals must spring from deep within you...they cannot be 'given' to you, nor can anyone else suggest what will make you feel alive and excited. You've already tried that route, right? So why not try THIS one. Throw all the expectations out the window, just for a few moments, and daydream for a second about what you would do if you could do ANYTHING, ANYWHERE, right now and in the next year. Write those inspirations down, and notice the little jolt of excitement you feel.

Now imagine having a list of things that make you feel this same excitement on a much bigger and varied scale...and also having small action steps that allow you to feel that you are not only working towards these things, but that you WILL actually accomplish them in your lifetime. Now that's motivation!

Motivation is excitement and stamina that comes from within, not from without...and willpower has nothing to do with it.

Stay tuned for Part II. In the meantime, enjoy the collection of motivational articles and other resources at www.Live-With-Power.com.

This article is written by Shauna Arthurs, author and creator of a network of websites dedicated to helping you define, refine and achieve your grandest dreams! For empowering tips, articles and resources, visit www.IncreasingVelocity.com!