Don't Be Fooled By Motivation

How many times have you heard, “You need to motivate yourself”, “You need to find motivation”?

I recently had a conversation with a gym member. He told me how he didn’t want to come into the gym that day because he had been having a bad week at work, wasn’t in a good mood and was feeling sluggish. I smiled at him and said, “I’m proud of you, because motivation isn't there all the time but this is what you need in order to get to your goals.”

Motivation: the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.” or even “the general desire or willingness of someone to do something.

So, my question for you is, what if you don’t have a reason? What if you don’t have a desire or a willingness? What should you do then?

Don't be fooled by motivation. It’s a short term lie to yourself that in THIS moment you want to do something. So you go and you do it. But what about the moments you don’t want to? When you have bad days, you don’t feel well, you are mentally and physically exhausted, what is going to make you do what you know you need to do? Here are a few strategies that will allow you to breakthrough those days where you don't have much motivation.

CREATE HABITS EARLY ON

Start now, create a habit that you consistently do. Work during specific hours of the day, workout specific days of the week at the same time. Make sure you are consistent for at least 35 Days. Whatever it is, create a habit. Once the habit is concrete, it becomes automatic. Therefore, on those days where motivation is lacking? You are on autopilot and you naturally fall back to your healthy routines you established a month back.

TELL KAREN TO SHUT UP!

Name your lazy side. Maybe you name it Karen. When you tell yourself you are too tired to do something, it wasn’t your day, you don’t have any time… that is Karen shouting at you to not do anything.

She will say things like, "Don’t do your work, don’t go to the gym, watch TV, make sure to like that on social media."

When this happens make sure to say, “Shut up Karen up, we’re doing this to today!” Once you gain control of your lazy side, the unwilling side, the “I don’t feel like doing this” side of your brain, you gain control, and that control can be enough to get you into the gym ;).

My Fitness Journey with Jeff Cheek

JUST FREAKING DO IT.

This is potentially the most difficult but most straightforward answer. You don’t need motivation to do something. There will be days where you have to do things you have NO motivation to do, but you complete the work anyways. Why? Because it needs to be done, so you just freaking do it. The goal is there, the plan is there, and all that is left is execution. Forget the motivation and make a decision.

"Sometimes it is the smallest decisions that can change your life forever." ~Unknown

Motivation is always fleeting so don't be fooled by it. Find what works for you to move forward even when motivation does not. Try these three strategies and let us know how it goes! Follow @belmondolifestyle for more life, workout and positive information to keep growing!

Sincerely,

Coach Madison