Motivation Comes from Within
My mom happened to call while I was riding my bike (on an indoor bike trainer) today and she said “What are you doing that you’re huffing and puffing?” “Exercising, mom,” I answered. She went on to tell me how she bought a yoga calendar for 2008 that has motivational sayings and I asked “What are you hoping to get from it?” She said “Motivation”.
It struck me that she’s hoping a calendar will motivate her to exercise more in the new year. Then I remembered I had written a short piece earlier in 2007 on motivation. I wrote this in May 2007 specifically when thinking about exercise. If you need motivation in any othe rpart of your life, the advice remains the same. Keep reading!
Do you often find yourself saying “I wish I had more motivation?” There is no shortage of motivational speakers, movies, products and books prodding us to do more, be more and have more. We are constantly being motivated to be our best self, become more financially secure, live healthier, and even help save the environment. You may buy the products, but what do you do with them? Are you making a real change in your life based on the information in these products? If not, then are you truly motivated? Sure you were motivated enough to buy a product or service, but did your motivation go beyond that initial purchase?
By definition motivate means to “move to action”. Buying a book and letting it sit on your shelf is not enough action to truly make a change.
I believe motivation comes from within. The speeches, books, and movies (and now calendars!) may be the inspiration you needed to think about change, but the true motivation must come from within you. Motivation to not only think about change, but to take the steps necessary to make the change. It means you are ready for the change. As with everything you’ve got to do the work to see results.
When it comes to exercise I’m motivated by how I feel and by the weather. I love to be active outside! When I’m lacking energy and need a pick-me-up I listen to my favorite music and I’m able to run faster, longer and happier!
As you think about what motivates you, ask yourself “What excites me?”, “Where do I get my energy?” “What makes me smile?”
Motivation is different for all of us, and it’s important to find out what motivates you (even if it’s different from what motivates someone else!). To help, I’ll also post a few motivational tips that have worked for me. Once you figure it out the question becomes “What am I waiting for?”
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