Motivation versus habit

So. Motivation is such an interesting concept. I think it is not possible to stay motivated 100% of the time. This is where HABITS become so useful. It takes a month to create a habit. So you need motivation for a month before you have the added support of habitual action.

It seems almost paradoxical that we struggle so much to do something we absolutely want to do in order to gain the results we desire. Surely if we want something so much, we would just do whatever it was to get there.

However this is not human nature. We are CONSTANTLY attempting to rationalise and mitigate things. So for example, if you are training for an event, and you know you have to put in 3 hours of training during the week. If there is some part of you you that doesn’t any time do it, rather than owning it, we make bargains with ourselves. “I will do more next week”

“I will get up early tomorrow and do it then”

This is how we change our intended actions without feeling bad about it. And this is how you end up feeling frustrated and helpless because you aren’t getting the results you feel like you should be getting.

So. How does this tie in with motivation? Well, in order to succeed. You have to constantly remind yourself what you are working for. It’s ok to decide that you DO NOT want to work that hard. It’s ok to NOT achieve the actions you set out to do. I think it’s just being honest with yourself and really analyse if you REALLY want to put in the amount of effort needed.

If you have come to the conclusion that yes, you ARE going to put in the work, then I recommend that you do not change your plans that you set out to do. Don’t over think things, and don’t make a bargain with yourself. “If I go straight home from work now, Ill do extra at the gym on Saturday “

Just get on with it. Or consciously decide that you don’t want to- and remember that it is OK

Set up a realistic schedule for your training. Not something that you just cannot manage. Keep things positive. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, so just remind yourself why you’re putting in the work. If your goal is to add more muscle mass to your frame, then you know that you need to be training in such a way that is a challenge. That may not always be something you want to do when you are tired from work, but in order to get your results, then that’s what needs to happen.