Where does that motivation come from?

I've been asked a few times, how do I stay motivated to physically train?  I had to think about that for awhile, because I didn't really know the answer.  The motivation just seemed to be there, but I didn't know exactly why.  I may still not know the full answer, but after some reflection, I did discover a few things about myself.

 

First, there's a lifestyle that has shaped me into what I am today.  I recently left an organization where I worked 80 hour weeks for many years.  With all that work, there were still many opportunities for me to receive feedback about not doing enough.  I'm not bitter, it was a volunteer situation and I feel good about what I did, but the cost was brutal.  My health suffered, my fitness waned, my waist size increased... and my capabilities declined. 

 

Now, I'm no longer with that organization and feel extremely liberated.  My current job requires 45 to 50 hours per week out of me and the rest of the week is mine!  It's like I have a whole new lease on life which is extremely motivating.  I want to experience all that I missed.  I often sleep only a few hours because I don't want to miss what the next day will bring me.

 

A second factor that shapes me is I have a deathly fear of becoming old.  I don't want to be that person that has to use a walker to get around, afraid of falling off a 4 inch curb and breaking my hip.  I've seen physically fit people age well, and I want to be that.  In addition, I don't like the fact that a few years ago I could so something, but can't now.  So every time I train, every time I lift a weight, run a distance, etc, I'm fighting off the grim reaper and I'm continually proving to myself that I'm not getting old and frail.

 

I think both of these things lead to a mindset that I celebrate life every day through physical movement.  I love physical movement of all types.  It's almost euphoric to be able to move my body.  Probably because I didn't live well before, and because I'm afraid of getting too frail to live well in the future, my motivation comes from the joy of living experienced by physical training.  Everyone is different, this mindset won't work for all, but it's perfect for me.

 

Oh, and a nice by product, I'm getting better, my waist size is decreasing, etc.  But this is a by product, while the goal is to have fun living well.

Comments

[Jason W. Womack, MEd, MA]

Nik,

The line that really impressed me is:

"...but after some reflection, I did discover a few things about myself."

I can only hope that just one more person like you and I who read this will do just that. I'm currently working with a paper planner (www.thesevenminutedifference.com) produced by a new friend Allyson Lewis. Each day, I write down a few things; some are the "priorities," others are people I want to connect with; there's a section there for "reflection."

We're on to something, those of us on this road called life.

Oh, and by the way, I too get asked about that "motivation thing." Most of the time I say, "My mom gave me the gift of curiosity. From the time I was 'this old,' she would read me stories and then stop at points to have me make up the rest." She ALWAYS thought what I made up was awesome!

What does that have to do with motivation and/or goal setting?

I learned that anything is possible, if I just get started and keep on going!

[Nik]

Mom's are awesome!