Motivation: 3 Winning Strategies

If you search hashtags related to the word motivation you’ll find over 100 million posts. Everything from half-naked photos to chicken breast and broccoli. We crave motivation.

We crave anything that fuels the slightest euphoric feeling that we WANT to do the task in front of us. Why? Because having the motivation makes it much easier when the journey gets tough and we’re exhausted. It’s not rocket science.

But what happens when we literally feel paralyzed? When we find ourselves mentally stuck between “I want my goal” and “I don’t want the process”…?

First, understand that motivation, as we’ve grown to experience it most our lives, is a FEELING.

It’s important to understand this because until you shift your perspective, you’ll continue to act (or not) from a vantage point that is always led by the waves of emotion. Up and down, the nature of this feeling is so volatile that it’s no wonder why resolutions only last 3 weeks and the majority of folks lose footing when it gets hard.

You’re relying on an unstable captain and it’s time to steer your own ship. It’s time to go from FEELING motivated to BEING motivated, and it involves choice, grit, and action. I want to give you 3 very practical moves to turn your internal struggle into the inferno needed to keep going.

1. Shatter the “shoulds”

There’s this ironic moment amidst feeling frustrated and immobile that we construct yet another mental hurdle. It’s a case of “I should”.

I SHOULD feel more determined to move forward…

I SHOULD have more willpower…

I SHOULD feel excited about the process…

You can basically insert whatever adjective you want here and odds are the majority of folks will empathize. Here’s your first opportunity to embrace your own reality while being the proactive beast you envision.

Recognize your “shoulds”, acknowledge you DON’T feel the way you want to feel, and then be done with it. It’s really that simple and that tough sometimes, but it does 2 important things:

1) Accepts your own humanity, (shocking that we are not perfect, I know), and

2) Pushes you towards a greater sense of power and responsibility when you choose to mentally move forward. It’s a bold, proactive step towards your goal.

Call it a win.

2. Examine your expectations

Let’s be real. Have you ever met a high-level athlete who said the process was easy, comfortable, and required little effort? Not at all. And while many of us are not at that level, we still seek to move further than where we are. Whether it’s a seemingly small goal or one that requires 5 coaches, daily naps, and regular psychologist visits, it’s still forward.

A greater self.

A stronger self.

Thus, expect it to be hard. Expect to face adversity. Expect to breakdown from time to time and wonder what the heck you’re doing. It’s part of the beautiful, messy, non-linear process. And when we maintain realistic expectations about the journey, we spend less time fighting the natural emotions along the way and spend more time devoted to growth.

Again, it’s not to say the waves don’t come, but you’re more prepared to paddle when they do. Second win.

3. GO!

This is a call to action. No matter how small, how much you’re internally resisting it, this is your opportunity to be your own catalyst for change. This is the shift from FEELING motivated to BEING motivated. It puts the power back in your hands and gives you a choice.

Grind hard, or don’t. Make a move, or stand still.

What you’ll find is that the DOing builds momentum. Small victories foster larger ones. And what was once an overwhelming defeated feeling is now fuel for the fire and every step adds a little more kerosene.

The truth is, you CAN make monumental moves in your life without feeling motivated to do so 100% of the time. It’s actually more realistic to assume a majority of the process will not be comfortable, easy or void of failure. And training yourself to proactively generate movement in spite of mental and emotional hurdles is vital for growth.

Go. Do. Take charge.

Decide you’re going to BE motivated, and boldly choose it daily. For it’s amidst our relentless pursuit of better that we experience the root of genuine life-changing motivation: CHOICE.

Meredith Parker | Instagram