I Call BS On Motivation.
Raise your hand if you have felt the need to punch someone in the gut when they say, “You just need to motivate yourself!!”?
Is it just me? No? Ok. Good.
I want to just throw this out right now: The motivation fairy does not exist. Sorry kids. It’s just not a thing. Motivation isn’t something that you find on the ground, you supposed to get on Mondays, or when you wake up on January 1st. Motivation is just a word people use that makes us feel like we are missing something.
“You aren’t motivated.” “You just need to get some motivation.”
It’s a joke.
If I had a penny for every time I heard, “Can you just come to my house and pull me out of my bed and make me run? I cannot motivate myself to do it on my own.” I’d have enough money to pay for a cup of coffee. (Its actually a lot of pennies)
(I have a little secret if people didn’t pay me to run, I highly doubt I would run as much as I do. <-Fact)
Let’s change the word “motivation” to a “daily habit” because that’s the goal, right? To do something without thinking about it, like autopilot. But starting a habit, you’ll need some of that elusive motivation that doesn’t exist. So then we are back to square one. But there is hope. My trick is planting inspiration seeds in daily life that will lead to start or keep up my good habits and kick away bad daily habits, (like, for me, eating handfuls of chocolate chips when I go to the freezer).
Inspiration (Seeds) + Time sensitivity (Harvest) = Action (Growth)
Social Media: Who you follow on social media plays a part in your habits/motivation garden. People fall into a trap of following stars or people they cannot relate to and have unrealistic bodies that are unattainable or lifestyles that have been carefully manicured. Personally, I do not find that inspiring. I think following people who you can relate to, who inspire is much happier for your head and heart. We see ourselves in people that inspire us, who are real, and who light a fire in us. No offense Kardashians, but you do not light my fire. (Action: Go through your social media and unfollow 10 accounts that make you feel bad.)
Accountability Buddy: Real quick, think of someone who is there for you and supports and you can rely on. That’s a good start to a great accountability partner. Could be a sister, friend or husband. It’s the person who will not let you out of something if you don’t “feel like it”. Cause guess what folks, you never will “feel like” it. Make sure you can be there for that person. It’s an amazing partnership and it works! A training group also is a good start too! (Action: Write down one person you can ask.)
Non-negotiable events: Want to start running? Sign up for a race. Want to travel? Buy the plane tickets. Want to learn about something you love? Sign up for a clinic. The biggest time waster and pest is over-thinking the thing. Just sign up, and do it. It will all work out. Promise. (Action: Write down 1 thing you would like to try. You don’t have to be good at it, just try.)
There’s no better way to start right now. Now. Like now now!! GO!