Motivation Monday: What motivates Doug Franz

Mondays are not particularly popular among people, and why should they be? Generally at the start of the work week, most find themselves yearning for the weekend that was as well as the one that seems so very far away.

But we press on nonetheless.

Motivation comes in many forms for many people, but everyone of us who gets out of bed and takes on the day does so with some goals in mind.

On social media, those goals are collected in what is known as #MotivationMonday. Here’s what motivates Doug Franz on this Monday:

God. Family. Country.

There’s a quote from the song Wherever I May Roam on Metallica’s Black Album that has stayed with me since the album’s release: “By myself, but not alone.”  To me, it strikes at the heart of motivation.

“By myself” means no excuses.  All of my successes and failings are mine to own and to learn from both.  I don’t sit around and hope for good things to happen.  I do whatever it takes, within my moral code, to create opportunity for myself.  I prepare relentlessly.  I’ve always told young broadcasters that ask me for advice that it’s easy to get ahead in any business if you’re willing to work harder than anyone else.

“…but not alone” reminds me that I can accomplish nothing if I rely only on myself.  Although I don’t talk about it much, I’m deeply religious.  I know it’s the peace of Christ that allows me to focus on something as trivial as sports.  My Great-great-great Uncle Fredrick emmigrated from Germany with no money at 14 with the goal handed down to each generation to do better than your parents so the next generation will struggle less you did.  My Grandpa and father both spent their entire lives at one company with one wife, showing me loyalty is the definition of a man.  My wife could have been a professional singer but she sacrificed everything to help me achieve what I wanted for my career. My children understand how much my career damages my hearing and how everyone has to adjust to my sleep schedule and the demands of football season.  My entire life is based on the sacrifices of so many people.  I refuse to let them down by giving less than everything I have.

I’m also motivated by my own freedom.  We live in the greatest country in the history of the world.  I don’t want to mooch off the freedom so many millions of men and women have died to give me and every other American.  I feel compelled to not waste this freedom complaining about what “I should get” versus taking the opportunity to earn what I can.

Lastly, I’m motivated by you for taking the time to read this.  I have a job because you have a desire to listen and consume sports.  I take it as a great responsibility to not let you down.  I hate making a mistake because I know you’ve trusted me.  You might walk into work with poor information because I didn’t do my job.  I’ll do whatever I can to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Even when I might not be very good, I promise you I will always give you the best I had that day.

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