"Motivation" is fleeting....do it anyways

HoneyBadger302

This morning was just "one of those days." I had ZERO desire to get out of bed. I did NOT want to workout. I knew it was going to suck and I didn't want to do it. So, I rolled over - and out of bed, put on my clothes and started working out.

It sucked the entire time! Now, usually once I get going it's not too bad - today was NOT one of those days. I finished up my planned workout, and the only feeling I had was being glad that was over with. I didn't even have that "I did it anyways and THAT makes me feel good" feeling. Nope, I wasn't feeling it. At all, even after it was done.

Got ready for work and started out on my walk to the train. I was tempted to drive, but I had made a commitment to walk, so I did. Other than a brief moment of enjoying the sun that was finally out, I did not enjoy my walk. I didn't want to do that, either. I still wasn't even "happy" that I had worked out.

I did it anyways.

There are lots of posts about motivation, and needing "motivation," but reality is that sometimes its just going to suck. Period. Either you're committed to doing it no matter how much it sucks, no matter how much you don't want to, or you're not. Motivation is very fleeting and tends to take a hike for many, many reasons, even when you have a "good reason" to do things, if you're not committed, at some point, you'll give in. And then that will lead to it happening again, and again, until it becomes a habit to skip it.

Sure, sometimes we have valid reasons for taking a day off - that's not what I'm talking about. This is about when we don't have "motivation" but absolutely no other good reason to skip the thing we have said we were going to do.

So, sometimes, motivation is simply embracing that its going to suck. And do it anyways.

csplatt

I love this! I think I replied to someone once who wanted other people to motivate her... or said she just couldn’t stay motivated... and I am pretty sure I said “then I guess you don’t want it bad enough.” I felt like a total jerk, but the more I think about it, it’s kind of true? Great speech! Standing ovation.