Motivation is a mundane topic. Yet, ‘motive for action’ is much needed in many fronts in moving the country forward. It was a pleasure reading a book titled, ‘Hundred Capsules of Motivation’ by one of my ‘learning partners,’ Tharindu Dananjaya Weerasinghe. He motivated himself in becoming a Senior Lecturer at the University of Kelaniya. Today’s column reflects on the ‘capsules’ in the context of individual, institutional, and national progress.
Overview
Motivation or, simply put, ‘motive for action’ comes from the Latin term movere, which means “to move”. It highlights the internal or external driving force that initiates, guides, and sustains goal-directed human behavior. From the time we wake up till we go to bed, some kind of motivation guides us to engage in multiple tasks in the personal as well as professional fronts.
Why I like Tharindu’s book is mainly due to its simplicity. It invites us for a ‘bite size learning,’ in consuming ‘one capsule at a time.’ Each capsule offers us a rich insight related to life, in prompting us to think and act energetically.
Contents in a nutshell
‘This book is the outcome of a long journey shaped by learning, teaching, observing, and experiencing life across multiple domains. It is not merely a collection of ideas, but a reflection of real encounters, real struggles, and real growth witnessed over the years.’ The way Tharindu starts his Preface is indeed profound.
The book is structured around ten themes with ten ‘capsules’ each. It begins with a foundation of personal growth and moved to mental strength and resource maturity. Then comes personal effectiveness and productivity. Professional growth and leadership comes then and advance professional excellence is next. Consistency, discipline and execution, High-performance mindset, Strategic thinking and self-leadership, Mastry, identity and life vision and Legacy, growth and life direction are the remaining themes.
‘Most people travel through life like they travel through Colombo in peak traffic. They know where they are starting, but not necessarily where they are going. The result is busyness without direction.’ That is how Tharindu starts his narrative.
‘Think of a fisherman in coastal area. He wakes before sunrise not because someone orders him, but because he knows the sea before dawn gives him the best chance of feeding his family. His purpose is not philosophical -it is practical. Purpose transforms suffering into sacrifice, and sacrifice into dignity. Your purpose doesn’t need to be poetic. It simply needs to be honest. You can choose it today. And you can choose it again tomorrow.’ Tharindu continues his reflection on purpose.
The principle of ‘One Thing’ is one of the interesting ‘capsules’ contained in the book. ‘In a world of multiple priorities, clarity comes from focus. The principle of one think is simple. Identify the most important task and give it full attention. Not everything deserves energy.’ Tharindu invites us to ask a fundamental question. ‘What is the one thing that makes everything else easier or unnecessary?’
‘This book is written with the hope that it will serve as a companion in your journey. IF even a single capsule creates a positive shift in your thinking or direction, then this effort has truly achieved its purpose.’ That is how Tharindu concludes hie Preface.
I see a novel way of addressing a much-needed yet often neglected aspect throughout the book. Each ‘capsule’ does it in style with insights and impact.
Fulfilling a void
The bookshops are full of self-help books. One may tempt to buy them but not reading and reflecting on the contents and thereby becoming mere book collectors. The true need, the way I see, is the appeal to read, reflect and relate in improving oneself. Tharindu’s book provides that skillfully as one ‘capsule’ is sufficient for a significant spike of result-oriented action.
The hundred ‘capsules’ contained in the book cover a wide array of insightful ideas leading to action. Tharindu, with his multiple role-playing as a learner, teacher, researcher, trainer, supervisor, communicator, and a counselor has presented his thoughts in a lucid and lyrical manner to appeal even to the lousy readers. His scholarly accolades such as an MBA with a Merit from the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) and spiritual adventures as a religious preacher cum counselor are vividly represented in the book with a fitting style and the matching depth and breadth.
‘At some point, techniques, habits, and strategies are not enough. You need something deeper – a philosophy.’ That’s how Tharindu advises. ‘As your internal framework, it guides how you think, act, and respond to life. When principles are clear, decisions become simple.’ He highlights that your philosophy may include, what you value, how you define success, how you treat others, and how you respond to failure. ‘Because in the end, success is not only what you achieve; it is who your become in the process.’
It reminds me of what Theadore Roosevelt said. ‘”Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” It invites us to have a committed approach rather than complaining of issues. Tharindu’s book offers us many ways of overcoming obstacles in finding opportunities in them, by way of treating ‘stumbling blocks’ as ‘stepping stones.’
Way forward
‘This book was never meant to be an ending – it was meant to be a beginning. Every capsule you have read is not just a piece of advice, but a mirror reflecting your potential, your discipline, your courage, and your responsibility. ‘ Tharindu writes at the end stating that ‘the journey continues within you.’ As he concludes ‘the next chapter is not written by the author – it will be written by you.’
What Winston S. Churchill said makes sense here. “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” I see a prolific emerging writer in Tharindu Weerasinghe, currently a doctoral candidate. His latest book will benefit the deserving readers immensely. Let the ‘motive for action’ begin.