Motivation from Larry David

Inspiration from Larry David

Last week, HBO announced that Curb Your Enthusiasm's upcoming twelfth season will be its last.

The show’s final season will premiere on February 4, 2024, almost twenty five years after its first broadcast in October, 2000. The series was developed from a one-hour special in 1999 titled Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm. HBO envisioned the hour-long special as a one-time project.

What began as a one-time project in 1999 has gone on to experience widespread popularity and high critical acclaim from its eleven seasons that have spanned more than twenty years.

A bald, rich and anxious 76 year old, Larry seems an unlikely source for running inspiration. So how can he inspire use? Here are pieces of Larry’s story to help motivate you through the Monday.

1. Be yourself. Larry is a self-described worrier who is afraid of things like being alone, death, robbers and failure. He shared that he’s never had an appointment in his life where he’s wanted the other person to show up. He also believes that being divorced is a better way to go through life. Through it all, Larry has been himself and amassed a net worth of $400+ million. Don’t worry about how others tell you you’re supposed act, just be yourself.

2. Focus on the moment today. After creating Seinfeld, Larry worried there would be no way to top the smash hit. So Larry approached every season of Curb Your Enthusiasm like it would be his last. In fact, he even had two phones on his desk - one red and one green. At any moment, he could pick up the red phone and the show would be canceled. 25 years later, the final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm is ready to air. Don’t think about going running for the next 25 years, just focus on making today’s workout today the best it can be.

3. Don’t compare yourself to others. The name ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ comes from Larry’s perception that many people live their lives projecting false enthusiasm, implying that "they are better than you". This may or may not be the case but if you find that you are comparing yourself to others, realize that it’s probably not doing you any good and could be frustrating others. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday and be better than that person.

Don’t forget to have a sense of humor and laugh at yourself. Larry sure did.