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 to get you started, it’s BS for achievement.
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 that you are not unique in this, and neither is my client. Well, 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 bullsh*t!’ You have been relying on motivation to get you up, out the door, and in the gym for years 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. 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. Then 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 means you will give everything inside of you for that day, even if that day is only a 5/10, because 50% effort is always better than a zero on the board. I would much rather have a client that gives me five days of 5/10 effort then 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, while 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.”
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 on lift better, and those small achievements will then motivate you to add another day in the gym, or a longer cardio session, or to push away the desert, and 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.
Micheal Jordan and Kobe Bryant didn’t become the best guards in the NBA and LeBron James the most dominant player in recent history because they just show up for games on Tuesday and Saturday night, no they work EVERY DAY all year round on being better than they were the day and game before. Jerry Rice was famous for his off season workouts and in season practices; he would invite other top players from around the league to workout with him in the off season and not one could keep up with him. Every catch in practice he would sprint for the end zone, even if being tapped down at the 10 yard line, he would get up and sprint the remaining 90 yards to ensure he got better. Jerry Seinfeld wakes up every morning and thinking, writing, practicing his next routine. He says he doesn’t ever have a conversation with anyone (even his wife on a daily basis) without looking for an angle for a bit or a joke. Every day, no days off, until they reach their goal - no days off! But not every day is 100%, but at a minimum the best they can give every day. None of them talk about looking for motivation, watching a video or reading an inspiring quote to get them to practice, they just show up. And that’s how greatness happens, through daily doing, working towards the end goal.
So, 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.