Motivation is Bullsh!*
Motivation is Bullsh!*!
Did that grab your attention? Good, because all too often we look for motivation to lead us towards a goal or to push ourselves into working out or starting a diet or jump out of an airplane, but while motivation is great in a situation, it’s BS for achievement.
The Myth of Motivation
Let me give you an example from a client of mine recently. She has been trying to lose weight and get in great shape for years now but always falling short. Something always gets in the way – work, then school, then career, next her brain, and so on and so forth.
Sound familiar? It happens to everyone. I promise, you are not unique in this, and neither is my client. One day she called me, dejected and sad for missing yet another scheduled workout. She asked for help in motivating her to get in the gym, telling me she really wants to change her life and body but can’t seem to find the proper motivation to do so. That’s when I told her this:
“What you have just realized is that ‘motivation is bullshit!’ You have been relying on motivation to get you up, out the door, and in the gym for a while now, and you are still in the same place you were ten years ago. Motivation will only carry you so far, and then when a problem comes up, you lose motivation, and you are sunk. The real key to fat loss success – really any type of success – is Commitment and Consistency.
The Keys to Success
Commitment: First, you must be committed to yourself and your goal. I’m talking true commitment, where the only thing that stops you from doing what it takes day in and day out is a roaring fire burning in front of you, and even then, you better be willing to get burned trying to go through it. You must be committed to going to the gym every day and giving everything you’ve got for that day.
Now, that doesn’t mean every day, every workout, or every meal will be a 10/10 perfection – no one can do that. But it does mean you will give everything inside of you for that day, even if that day is only a 5/10. It’s always better than a zero on the board. I would much rather have a client that gives me five days of 5/10 effort than someone that gives me one 10/10. The person that can give five days of 5/10 shows they are committed to themselves and their goals. Meanwhile, the person that can only muster one day but gives it their all shows that anyone can motivate themselves every once in a while but will never achieve their full potential or ultimate goal.”
Consistency: This is the “secret,” being consistent daily, weekly, monthly, turns into yearly and a lifetime. And when I say consistent, I mean 80% on, 20% not on. If you workout five days out of seven, eat well four out of five meals a day well, and are consistent with this for six weeks out of seven in a row, you’ll achieve your goals, and continue long term.
The Truth Hurts
I know this sounds a little harsh, but hey, the truth hurts, and we all need to hear it. You see, if you are committed to your goal, and are consistent in doing the steps necessary to reach that goal, a funny thing will happen: you’ll start to achieve that goal.
One pound at a time. One inch a month. One race faster or one lift better. Those small achievements will then motivate you to add another day in the gym, or a longer cardio session, or to push away the dessert. Next thing you know, you have finally reached the goal you set for yourself some ten years ago but could never quite make it to the finish line.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, please stop relying on motivation to get you there. Show up, be present, give your best, and then let motivation push you for the 10 when you thought you only had a 5 in you. Now, go get it!
Nate