Motivational Monday: How to Get Motivated

One of the most common question that I get asked is:

“HOW DO YOU GET MOTIVATED TO DO SOMETHING?”

My initial answer is: motivation is overrated. 

You NEED to get disciplined instead!
 

In short: motivation is fleeting. Those people who depend on motivation consistently start out with a big bang and wilt as soon the difficulty increases. As soon as their motivation dries up, they quit. The people who accomplish things do it through being disciplined.

That said, if you’re still convinced you need motivation to get stuff done, I have tackled this thing head-on. Here it is – Your Guide On How To Get Motivated.

Realise, even if you can’t do anything else, working out is the one thing you can control. That is why I consider fitness one of the ultimate disciplines.

Start Sprinting

Help!

I don’t know what exercise to do!

I don’t have a trainer!

I don’t have any equipment!

I don’t want to get hurt!

I don’t know how to exercise – it’s complicated!

That’s fine, and that’s why I’m going to give you the best exercise in the world: sprints.

The best exercise in the world.

Why? It’s simple:

Sprinting is one of the most human exercises you can do. You don’t need a gym. You don’t need special equipment. You don’t need a coach. You don’t need to learn. You don’t need a video tutorial. You don’t need anything really.

You just need to do it.

So how do you practically make that work? Try this on for size:

Your Sprint Workout

1.     Set a time. Hit Start

2.    Sprint for 30 seconds.

3.    Rest for 30 seconds.

4.    When the timer hits “20 Minutes” – you’re done.

Workout complete.

BUT I STILL DON’T WANNNNAA!!

Cool story.

You need to stop talking to other people and finding other reasons for your problems and you need to have a talk with yourself instead.

Get up (right now). Go to the bathroom. Look in the mirror and stare at the person looking at you.

Then you have two options:

OPTION 1

You look in the mirror and tell yourself; "I WANT TO WORKOUT BUT I’D RATHER EAT CHEESECAKE."

Then go back to your kitchen, grab your cheesecake and convince yourself that that’s the most compelling excuse you can think of. Then go nuts with your cheesecake and enjoy (feel free to substitute cheesecake with whatever you want – sleeping, food, hulu hoops, video games, etc).

But just remember that the next time you look at yourself in the mirror.

OPTION 2

You look in the mirror and tell yourself; "I DON’T WANT TO WORKOUT, BUT I’M GOING TO ANYWAY."

Then put on your running shoes, get outside and start sprinting (no matter what the weather is outside).

Make It A Priority

The only difference between option 1 and option 2 are your priorities. That’s the only difference.

Don’t blame it on something else. Instead of feeling bad about it. Own it.

If eating cheesecake is more important to you than being healthy, living a long life and being there for your kids, that’s fine, but own that decision.

Instead of saying “I don’t wanna” or “it’s hard”, say “It is not a priority.”

Then, go look yourself in the mirror and say that to yourself. 

It puts things in a whole different perspective than empty-whining about where you’re not where you want to be.

Realise You Have a Choice.

You Always Have a Choice.

Even if you don’t “feel” like it, you can still go do it anyways. You don’t have to be a slave to your feelings or motivations. You get to choose.

Motivation is fleeting. If you decide your actions are dependent on being 100% motivated 100% of the time, you probably won’t accomplish that much.

Everyone has an excuse. Only some people decide to believe them. You choose whatever story you want tell yourself. But always remember you get to choose.