Motivation is a Myth

If you are waiting to do something until you feel like doing it, stop waiting. We will never feel like doing something new. We will never feel like doing something hard and we will never feel like doing something that challenges our status quo. Our brain does not operate that way. If you want to start a new habit and/or stop an unwanted habit you will need to force yourself to do it and not wait until you feel like it.

Recently, I had a visit with a young man in my nutrition practice. He is a great kid. Does things to the beat of his own drum. He has medical concerns that would improve by consistently good nutrition and daily activity/exercise. At times in our work together he has done well and other times he has not.  During this visit, he was “in a slump”. I asked him why he gave up on some of the helpful things he had started and returned to his old way of eating and also why did he not follow through on the activity plan we had put into place. His answer was

“I have no motivation “.  This was a lightning bolt moment for me.

Motivation is a myth

Lack of motivation is an excuse. If you allow yourself to indulge in the thought that you are not motivated to do something, you will remain right there. Lack of motivation is an excuse that allows you to do nothing to change your situation or yourself.  If you want something in your life to change stop thinking or saying the words “I am not motivated”. By telling yourself (your brain) that you are not motivated you are asking your brain to go looking for all the evidence to prove you are not motivated. UGH. Instead, find an identity that you want for yourself and tell yourself that one over and again.  For example; if you want to be consistent with exercise try the identity “I am someone who works out 5 days per week”.  And then- here is the most important game-changing step. START LIVING your life from that identity.  If you want to be the person who works out 5 days per week consider the question, How would a person who works out 5 days per week live? They would have a place to go to work out or a location, stuff, and a program to work out at home. They would put exercise on their schedule. This means exercise is as important as anything else. A person who consistently works out would not wait for life to deliver the perfect time on a silver platter.  There is no perfect time. Oh and do you think that person would consider the thought “I’ll wait until I feel like it”? What other things can you do to provide brain with more evidence that you are someone who works out 5 days per week?  How about finding a friend to do it with that would help with accountability and a feeling of connection? If you are choosing television over exercise, disrupt the habit.  Take a break from the TV, disconnect the cable,  or put the tv away. How about nutrition? Would someone who exercises be trying to eat protein with every meal or having a Snickers bar for lunch?

Activation Energy is acting into the feelings instead of feeling into the actions. When you live as the person you want to be, your brain starts to relate to you as your new identity.  Imagine how much easier it would be to avoid relapse if someone who quits smoking says ” I don’t smoke” vs the person who says ” I am trying to quit”. I don’t smoke is a clear identity. I am trying to quit is still an identity as a smoker. Remember, the brain will go looking for all the evidence to support the statement you have provided. If you hang onto your identity as unmotivated, it’s unlikely that change will happen. If you identify yourself as someone who only eats sugary treats on holidays and birthdays it will be natural to walk on by the plate of cookies at work on a random Tuesday.

Do you have a health goal for yourself? Do you have a life goal for yourself?  Take action. Motivation is a myth and you may never “feel like” doing whatever it is to help yourself move forward.

If this process feels so big and you would like help, consider working with a life coach. If you have a thought that this might be good for you, act on it.  It could be the best action you ever take for yourself.