Members Only Post #160 – What To Do When You Need Motivation

Motivation is overrated. However with that being said there is still a time and place for it. And when I say motivation is overrated what I mean by motivation is the getting riled up, getting a boost, to push yourself a little further. We’ve all seen those “motivation videos” and the like, that’s what I mean. But when you do need motivation where do you find it? What to do you to to get up off the floor and continue on?

That’s what we’re going to talk about, but before we do I want to address a few things. First off discipline and dedication are what will get you where you want to go in life, not motivation. Discipline and dedication are what you want to cultivate. that and healthy habits that’ll take you towards your goals. Which brings me to another point to make before we get into the motivation discussion.

And that’s having goals. You should have overarching long term big goals and then small daily goals as well and probably some medium goals that are anywhere from a couple months to a year long. Taken together they forge your path to living the life that you want when you set about day by day accomplishing the daily goals that’ll then lead to the medium goals that’ll in turn help you to accomplish the life goals that you have.

Without goals you won’t have motivation. But let’s say you have goals, you have discipline, and you have dedication. Or maybe you haven’t developed all those completely yet but are working on them. Regardless you need motivation and some guy saying a bunch of cheesy sayings set to Two Steps From Hell isn’t doing it for you, as great as their music is.

So what do you do?

Let’s Take A Look At Motivation, Where It Comes From, & What It Does

Whenever you really want to get to the bottom of something, to understand it, you should start by dissecting it. Figuring out what it is you have before you and all it’s working parts. So we’re looking for motivation, let’s start with the dictionary definition of motivation is. The dictionary definition of motivation is “the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.” or “the general desire or willingness of someone to do something.” I think when we’re talking about “needing motivation” we’re talking about the second definition here.

However it is the first definition that does us the most good, let me explain why. When we don’t have the desire to do something, when we’re looking at something we should and thinking “No, I’m good.” we have to ask ourselves why. Remember why is the most powerful question in most cases and something that you should always be asking for all facets of life. Why are you having trouble doing this thing? Try to dig deep, don’t say “I don’t know.” you do, somewhere deep down you know. So examine yourself and ask yourself why. Interrogate yourself if you must.

Try to get some semblance of a reason. Maybe you don’t feel it’s working or you don’t see the reward paying out. Maybe deep down you don’t believe in what you’re doing, maybe you’re just physiologically exhausted. There are a million reasons but try to figure out what your particular ones are. Once you start to identify what your reasons are you can start to work to address them. You can start working on the first definition of motivation. If you solve the first definition the second definition will take care of itself.

What’s Your “Why”?

Find your why for doing something. What are the reasons that you’re doing whatever you’re doing for? What do you hope to get out of it? What motivated you in the first place? Has anything changed? How? And if not then what do you think’s going wrong? Don’t get angry of frustrated, but take a moment and think about it. Write out a question at night and write down the answer in the morning see what you get. Or meditate on it and see what comes up. Don’t underestimate the power of your subconscious mind to help and reveal things too you.

First off check things like are you eating right, getting enough sleep, and things of that nature. But then move beyond. And then when you start to get a general picture of what’s holding you back, why you no longer feel the motivation that you feel, there is an important step to take. And that is to take action. To keep on doing whatever you were doing before, even if modified. To keep on the path. You can move slower, you can move differently, but just keep moving down that path. Actions is above all.

Action defines you and who you are. Think whatever thoughts you want, feel whatever you want to feel, but force yourself to a single action, no matter how small it is. Say you were working out every day for a hour but now you just don’t feel like it. Get out there and do a ten minute workout, doesn’t matter if you’re doing less so long as you’re doing something. Just keep moving, even if it’s the smallest possible action you can think of.

Movement is motivation in many cases. Just don’t let yourself drift away. Half your workload, whatever. Just don’t stop moving towards your goals, don’t stop moving towards whatever it is you want to achieve. Maybe you just need a break or need to do something a little different to achieve your goals. Switch it up a bit. That’s all fine. The only thing that isn’t going to work is standing still and letting yourself stall out.

Action Above All

Lack of motivation also gives you a valuable opportunity. It gives you the opportunity to develop that most important aspect of what makes up a man, and that is willpower. When you have no motivation, force yourself to act, will yourself to act. The will is the most powerful tool that you posses if you will just use it. Develop it, hone it, grow it, look for opportunities to do this. In a way you’re being given a golden opportunity, don’t let it go to waste, as hard as it is.

Let your will, your heart, your soul, overcome your mind and body. That is the path to greatness and manhood. Drive on when no one else will. Put the sword to your excuses and march on. It’s going to be hard, that’s the entire point. You can’t harden outside the fire. So make the most of the time you’re in it. As well as do the other things outlined here.

It’s not everything but it’s a start and remember, action above all.