Let’s talk about motivation!
What are the things that affect our motivation, whether it’s a fitness goal or weight loss goal, or finding love? Or about any purpose in our life. I often wonder what makes people motivated and what makes people suddenly lose their motivation.
The better the motivation and desire a person has, the better the results.
Nothing will work unless you do
Part of my job is to motivate people. And I have noticed that if a person lacks motivation, it doesn’t matter how great a program I make or how much I tell them not to skip the workouts. The truth is, if you hire the best personal trainer or life coach in the world: if you lack motivation, no one but you can change it. Of course, I can inspire, encourage and MOTIVATE, but the motivation to do things always starts with you. No one else can create it for you.
Let’s think about motivation from a slightly different perspective. What things affect our motivation? It always starts with our motives. For example, our motives include our reasons for doing something, such as needs, desires, rewards, and punishments. Motivation is a state created by motives. Motivation determines how vigorously we act and where our interest is directed. Fascinating right?
So, what can we conclude from this? For example, suppose a goal is not important or exciting enough. In that case, it also lowers our motivation, which in turn often reduces the level we perform.
Shifting the mindset
I had a coaching call with one of my clients, and she was upset. She told me that she doesn’t understand how other people have so much time to exercise and eat healthy. She thinks that it takes too much effort. And she just doesn’t see the results and the point. I began to wonder what she really meant by that, as she has been training regularly for months. I thought we were progressing. But then, I realized that motivation decreases and adds stress if doing things doesn’t seem meaningful and pleasurable. So, we added activities to her exercise program that brought her more joy. We also tried to get used to the new mindset: workout time should be your own precious time – not time away from your busy schedule.
If you feel that your motivation is declining, you should look at things from many perspectives. First, think about what things are essential to you. Can you change small things and routines? Even take out a piece of paper, write down the important things to you, and then think about whether your performance currently supports your goals. We often blame others for our failures, but in the end, if we really understand our behavior, we are often responsible for our success.
Also, remember that every day is a new opportunity to succeed and be motivated. It is not worth clinging too much to the past. Every day is a unique opportunity to change things, perspectives, relationships and habits. Pretty liberating or what?
We can do this !
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