Have you ever thought about what really motivates you to do something?
Being motivated is an important component to achieving any goal in life. Let’s face it, without the proper motivation a lot of our dreams remain just that….a dream that will never come into fruition.
So what is motivation?
Motivation: the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.
Did you know there are actually two types of motivation?
- Intrinsic Motivation: Engaging in a behavior or an activity because it is personally rewarding; or in other words performing an act for its own sake and nothing else.
- Extrinsic Motivation: Engaging in a behavior or performing an activity to earn a reward or avoid punishment. In this case, you are more concerned about the outcome versus the enjoyment.
If we are intrinsically motivated about a particular behavior or activity it can be a lot easier to get the task done. Unfortunately, in most cases, it can be rather difficult to become motivated, even if it is something that we think about doing constantly. Taking action on your thoughts usually doesn’t occur until the benefit of doing something outweighs not doing it; or we get so frustrated with our situation that we have no other choice but to take action.
Finding your “why” is an important aspect of getting to the point of doing what needs to be done. If you don’t have a “why” or the purpose, reason or belief that inspires you, then it will be difficult to follow through and commit to achieving your goals.
So ask yourself, what is my why? What motivates me?
Personally, my why is providing the best quality of life for my family all while being an inspiration to others. Wellness (mental, physical, spiritual, and financial) is at the center of everything that I would like to accomplish. I want others to know that if I can do it, they certainly can!
Once you have your why, the hardest part is actually taking the first step. Once you take that first step you will start to build momentum. The key is to maintain the momentum once started.
For example, I have always dreamed about Healthy Motives 365 and all of the things I could do to contribute to the health and wellness of other women who want to be healthier but simply don’t know where to start. I have been consistently asked for advice on these topics from others because it was clear through my behavior that I have a passion for it. If I hadn’t taken the first step and got out of my comfort zone, Healthy Motives 365 would not exist. I had to ask myself, why are you continuously “talking” about this business and not taking action?
Once I thought about my “why” and took the first step I have been so energized to continue. Not to say that I don’t have days where I doubt myself and I don’t feel like doing anything but relaxing and drinking wine….LOL! This is where DISCIPLINE kicks in!
Once you have started, the key is to remain consistent in your behaviors. A few things I have implemented to help me stay the course include:
Creating a Weekly Schedule:
- Creating a schedule for yourself will help keep you on track. It is also a great idea to keep a daily to-do list to prioritize task that must get done from those that may be put off until tomorrow. There’s nothing better than marking something off of your list!! I’m so type A!!!
Cutting Down on TV Watching/Social Media:
- We all have that one or two shows that we love to watch! The key is to not let TV watching take over so much time that it impedes our progress in getting things done. I usually never watch a show while it is actually on thanks to my wonderful DVR and OnDemand. These features allow me to work TV into MY schedule. Think about how much TV you watch and try to cut it down by 50%, then watch how much more you get done.
- Social Media can be a great resource but can also be an even greater distraction. I have strategically framed my newsfeed to consistently remind me of those things that I want to continuously work on. Such as physical fitness, healthy eating and maintaining a positive mindset. If your newsfeed is full of drama and negativity, think about unsubscribing and/or deleting those things that aren’t encouraging you to move your life in the direction you want to go.
Reading Everyday:
- Personal Development is the best investment you can make. I try my best to read something every day that will help me develop my knowledge, skills and abilities in my profession. This allows me to continue to educate myself so I can share my knowledge with others and help them achieve their health goals. A good time to read is right before bed, turn off the TV, put your phone away and feed your mind!
Getting and staying motivated can be a tough thing but is not impossible! The hardest part is simply getting started. On those days where you are just not feeling it, you must develop discipline and continue to envision where you want to be.
Remember, with discipline, consistency, and persistence ANYTHING is possible.
The key is to not give up when you encounter a setback. Obstacles will undoubtedly arise but don’t let them stop you from pursuing your goals!
Find Health in Every Day!
Dr. Lindsay