You're reading How to Make Your Own Motivation, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you're enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.
It's that time of year when the days get shorter and people need a BOOST: to get to the gym, to put down that cookie, to stick to their plan!
How do you get up in the dark, when it's cold? Sure you don't WANT TO.
Gotta be honest, NO ONE WANTS TO at first.
Action precedes motivation!
One of my Favorite quotes of all time. What does it mean?
It means that we don't MOVE out of the motivation we feel, we MOVE and then feel motivated. We ACT first. And honestly, motivation doesn't even show up right then.
- We DECIDE
- We create a PLAN
- We form habits
- We see results
- THEN motivation comes.
Most people assume it will happen the other way around.
What does it mean for us to feel motivated then? Motivation is a by product! It's not the spark. The spark is a desire for change -- in ANY area!
When we want something, we plan for it, we save for it, we have steps to take.
When I wanted a trainer, I didn't quit my job and walk into a gym, telling people I could work them out. No way, I researched certifications, signed up, put in the work, revamped my resume and sent it out. I had a PLAN.
Habits are the stepping stones to motivation.
Its rare we wake up and jump right into a workout routine that we love and feel amazing at. But little by little we go far.
What if you waited to feel motivated to go into your job?
How long would it be?
A week, a month? You wouldn't have a job left to go to!
We form habits, get up, get coffee, go to work. Day in and day out. Money is a great motivator for that, (but not the best!) and habits formed that produce RESULTS are the driving force behind motivation.
Tips for succeeding at making your own motivation:
- Get a partner to help you. Form habits together and insist that you stick to them.
- Be realistic. start small. Pack that gym bag and aim for 2 weeks at the gym. 3 days is a bonus.
- Keep your word to yourself. just like your boss at your job knows you are trustworthy to show up, be your own BOSS and show up for what you planned.
- Just do it today. Don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow you can worry about your habits for that day.
This is about YOU. Your life, your health, your strength, your longevity, your example to your kids. This isn't about an event, your spouse or even your "haters" who think you can't do it.
Tip: If you are starting a diet or wellness program, skip the free DIY apps! Make an investment in yourself and pay for quality; you're worth it!
*Related: 10 Motivational Tips to Make Your Life Better
Michael Jordan was once asked if all the criticism fueled him and motivated him. He said:
"absolutely not, I pay no attention to it. To admit I listen to any critic, to say it affects me in anyway would basically be admitting I am mentally weak. My motivation, my fire burns so hot and so deep from within, there is no way in hell some random person and their opinions could ever affect me."
Do it for you.
Decide, Plan, Act, See results.
Make your own motivation!
Missy Woodruff loves traveling with her family, and writes about it at PrettySweet.com!
Photo credits: Austin Chan and Danielle MacInnes via Unsplash
You've read How to Make Your Own Motivation, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you've enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.