Motivation: Where Do You Find Yours?
By: Nancy Howard,
SparkPeople Blogger
12/13/2008 6:01 AM
: 93 comments
The common bond many of us share is where to find the motivation to carry us to our goals. What happens when it isn’t there? Why is it so important in helping us to achieve success in anything that we do, including embracing a healthy lifestyle?
When I first began my journey, motivation was at an all-time high. It was like the first day of school, you know when you buy a new back-to-school outfit, new school supplies, and even look forward to making new friends. But once the first few weeks are well behind you this is when the work really begins. And it can be tough and no longer fun.
I once thought that motivation was something others could give me. They would be there pushing me through all the trials and tribulations in my life or carrying me through when I just felt I couldn’t do it on my own. But I have since learned differently. The longer I am on this journey the more I realize I am the one responsible for getting me to each and every one of the goals I have laid out before me.
Believe it or not, motivation is something we all have! We have all had it since we were wee babes. But I do believe, at least for me, I learned to shut off the motivation button each and every time I hit an obstacle that stood in my way of success. In other words, I took the responsibility off me and put it onto my lack of motivation. It was easier to blame my lack of motivation than it was to blame myself.
This is why I consider this journey a blessing. I realize I DO have the motivation to get me over the roadblocks I have set up, I just couldn’t or didn’t want to hear that inner voice telling me I could do this. I had just buried it deep within so I could blame anyone else, but me. This doesn’t mean I don’t turn to others when times get tough--in fact that is what helps me more than anything. Realizing that others have walked a similar journey and succeeded inspires me to find that all important motivation.
My running coach, Chad, told me the following quote a little over 2 years ago after he became so tired of hearing my incessant complaints of not being able to break through a plateau I had been on for many months. He said, “Nancy, I CANNOT give you motivation. Motivation must come from within yourself; therefore, it is a gift we give ourselves. However, what I can give you is inspiration, since inspiration is a gift we give to others.” I went home immediately wrote that on my inspirational wall of quotes where I still read it every day.
And while I would like to say that I have conquered the lack of motivation bug, what I have learned is to accept, just like everything in life, that it too has its peaks and valleys and it is all part of the journey to a healthier me.
How do you find motivation within yourself when you feel that you just don’t have it in you? Do you feel worthy of giving yourself the gift of motivation every day?
When I first began my journey, motivation was at an all-time high. It was like the first day of school, you know when you buy a new back-to-school outfit, new school supplies, and even look forward to making new friends. But once the first few weeks are well behind you this is when the work really begins. And it can be tough and no longer fun.
I once thought that motivation was something others could give me. They would be there pushing me through all the trials and tribulations in my life or carrying me through when I just felt I couldn’t do it on my own. But I have since learned differently. The longer I am on this journey the more I realize I am the one responsible for getting me to each and every one of the goals I have laid out before me.
Believe it or not, motivation is something we all have! We have all had it since we were wee babes. But I do believe, at least for me, I learned to shut off the motivation button each and every time I hit an obstacle that stood in my way of success. In other words, I took the responsibility off me and put it onto my lack of motivation. It was easier to blame my lack of motivation than it was to blame myself.
This is why I consider this journey a blessing. I realize I DO have the motivation to get me over the roadblocks I have set up, I just couldn’t or didn’t want to hear that inner voice telling me I could do this. I had just buried it deep within so I could blame anyone else, but me. This doesn’t mean I don’t turn to others when times get tough--in fact that is what helps me more than anything. Realizing that others have walked a similar journey and succeeded inspires me to find that all important motivation.
My running coach, Chad, told me the following quote a little over 2 years ago after he became so tired of hearing my incessant complaints of not being able to break through a plateau I had been on for many months. He said, “Nancy, I CANNOT give you motivation. Motivation must come from within yourself; therefore, it is a gift we give ourselves. However, what I can give you is inspiration, since inspiration is a gift we give to others.” I went home immediately wrote that on my inspirational wall of quotes where I still read it every day.
And while I would like to say that I have conquered the lack of motivation bug, what I have learned is to accept, just like everything in life, that it too has its peaks and valleys and it is all part of the journey to a healthier me.
How do you find motivation within yourself when you feel that you just don’t have it in you? Do you feel worthy of giving yourself the gift of motivation every day?
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Comments
My motivation is to fit in my clothes...
My weight changes and I can usually pin point what my mistakes were. Then I want to pick up and try again next time and remove the things I had done before. I can usually see the results right away and that makes me feel good.
I love the support on this time is so amazing! Hugs! - 4/8/2010 12:30:25 PM
As for food, the more I workout, the less I crave junk food. I want focus my calories on foods that will give me the best energy for my workout so I can come back home after my run feeling happy and accomplished. - 10/7/2009 1:46:26 PM
~Ang - 7/31/2009 1:51:13 PM
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
- 12/16/2008 9:30:34 PM
When I plan my meals for the day and track my foods, I motivate myself to be honest with myself and to remind myself that in order for me to be the "hottie" I want to be I have to keep the commitment I made to myself. When I am working- out with my trainer or in group and I start to whine about what "I can't do," I have to talk to myself and motivate myself to push through the moment, get over myself and to keep trying. When I really feel uninspired I tell someone and they quickly remind me of all the ways I can get back in the game! I motivate myself from that positive place.
- 12/16/2008 11:50:20 AM
I got off on a little bit of tangent here, but the point I am trying to make is that success is really the only motivation we need. And success is a journey, progress, not an end result. So motivation is also a mindset. If you focus on a final result, you will never get there and so that motivation will faulter. Conversely, if you feel better today than you did last month, last year, or weigh less or eat or exercise more, then you are succeeding and success is all the motivation we need. - 12/15/2008 10:33:20 PM
MY MIRROR MY SONS REACTION TO US BEING TOGETHER AND OF COURSE SPARKPEOPLE - 12/15/2008 8:52:54 AM
From SparkPeople, friends I have met on sparkpeople, my family, co-workers, my pets, pictures of when I was younger, trainer Bob Harper, others who have succeeded, music, myself, nature, God and our Angels.
I love the feeling I have after I workout. My moods, outlook on life, the day is so much better now.
- 12/15/2008 4:18:10 AM
NEWSTART**
Nutrition
Exercise
Water
Sunshine
Temperance
Air
Rest
Trust
When I neglect these for long...I have no desire to live healthfully.
It's not easy...it does take daily determination.
I'm grateful for SparkPeople....
The concept and the people....
SparkPeople helps keep me on track.
´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.•´ .•´¨¨))
((¸¸.•´ ..•´ -:¦:- Terri
-:¦:- ((¸¸.•´*
** www.weimar.org
- 12/14/2008 11:12:30 AM
And sometimes when I feel like I could give up, the people on SP is what keeps me inspired! - 12/14/2008 9:44:09 AM
My other motivation is that I want my physical me to be as active and fun as the person I see in my head. My imagination takes me so many places I want to go with my kids that I am not going to be able to do comfortably with all the weight I am carrying, so I am motivated to get to the point of being able to do what I dream. - 12/13/2008 11:55:42 PM
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