Motivation

November 16, 2020

Tips On Motivation

The most successful people in the world can loose motivation. It is nothing to get discouraged, or even worried, about. Motivation can come and go in waves depending on the circumstances that take place in your life. Maybe you're an astronaut nervous about being catapulted into space or maybe your dog ran away for the fifth time this week; a distraction is a distraction. Forming habits and using tips can help you stay driven to meet your goals during the times where it might be difficult.

Habits:

Go to the gym every day you said you would EVEN if that means just walking through the front door and then walking back out. This can help in two ways.

  1. You said you were going to go to the gym '3-5 times' a week so you are instilling that pattern into your routine. You are blocking out that time for yourself and accomplishing and ingraining the goal you set - slowly but surely!
  2. It's all a mind game. If you go to the gym odds are you will do something and something is better than nothing. In all likely-hood, most of the time, you could end up doing 10x more than you originally thought going in!
  • What if I'm working out at home? Glad you asked. Create a 'workout space'. Either go to it or set it up every day. Make sure you are dressed and ready to go with your water at the ready. When you've done all that - odds are you'll at least do one burpee ;) Just make a point to get dressed for it and show up at your 'work space'.
  • Give yourself praise even if you only workout one of the 3-6 days you said you would. You still did one of the days - that's better than nothing! If you are a beginner or re-starting out, you have to build up to a certain level before you get there. It doesn't happen overnight. Sometimes it's a slow process but making yourself feel worse can lead to an even bigger decline in motivation. You're doing this to make yourself feel better not worse.

Tips

  • Put your phone on do not disturb to keep from distracting yourself
  • Create a playlist that you are excited about - it's crazy how much music can play a role in your intensity.
  • Just like you schedule classes, meetings, work, appointments, or anything else - schedule your workout. I would even recommend scheduling it twice in your day because things always come up! This way you have an extra slot in your schedule to play around with. If you end up not needing to use that extra slot - take the time to rest, be mindful, walk, stretch, or do whatever you want to do. Workouts tend to be put on the back burner and are often the first to be cancelled in a busy day.
  • Try a morning workout! This way you'll have time later on in the day to rest, re-fuel, and re charge. Nothing during your day can prevent you from completing the workout you've already done!
  • Create a better sleep schedule. As cliche as it sounds sleep is so important. If you're constantly tired and running on fumes it will be hard to stick with your plan. Creating a schedule where you fit everything in (example) 8:30am to 8:30pm - means you have more drive to complete everything in those hours!
  • Try and get get ready for bed 30-60 minutes before you actually want to fall asleep. For most of us falling asleep takes time. If you find yourself restless ~ get out of bed for a couple minutes, re-set, and try again. :)
  • Have a texting/workout buddy (on my Facebook page and in my motivation group chat I've provided a community where you can all share experiences and motivate each other!)
  • If you feel a lack of motivation, maybe you're burnt out. Take a rest day. Once you've stepped off track for a day or two, without the guilt, it can help re-fuel the excitement for your exercise and eating routine once you start back up!
  • Just start - before you can think about it just do it. Don't go on your phone - walk out the door or go get dressed - put yourself on autopilot and before you know it, you're at the gym or in your home workout space doing the first exercise. (this might seem like the least helpful one - but you need to become aware of what you're doing. Once you catch yourself contemplating or stalling, having the mind trick of 'autopilot' in the back of your head can definitely help!)