Motivation is as flaky and fleeting as that friend you always wanted to hang out with but could never get to commit to even the simplest thing. At one point or another, we’ve all had one of these friends.
And do you remember how you’d waste such time waiting for that friend to show and how disappointed you’d be every time they called it off last minute, right as you’re pulling in to wherever you were supposed to meet, maybe even someplace as simple as Wendy’s, which you don’t particularly care for, but were willing to sit through because you wanted so bad just to see them? And all their promises, everything they’d say but never follow through on – how all this made you feel just a little bit like a sucker? Because I do.
So one day you decide you’re just not going to wait around anymore. You’re going to get on with your life with or without this person, goddammit.
Sure, you liked their company. You liked everything about this person and how they made you feel when they were around. Except you couldn’t get them to be predictable or show up when you wanted or needed them to. They were as unreliable, in your eyes, as the weatherman.
So you moved on and what you found is that friend wasn’t worth having, even if he did get you fired up or feeling good about yourself just by being there and being funny and so carefree. Because it wasn’t worth feeling despondent and helpless all those times he left you waiting around as if you were a nobody.
And not only that, but you finally figured out all you could do in the amount of time you spent wondering how or if this person could ever become a more reliable and dependent human being. My God, how suddenly productive you were!
And so now instead of thinking about all the things you could get done if you only had more Motivation, you begin to imagine all you can do in the time it’ll take for him to arrive.
– Pat
Pat,
For me this was a timely post. Like I said yesterday I’ve put my health off for too long and am paying for it. I see that now and know I can’t use not having enough motivation as an excuse anymore. I just need to get started and will begin with one of your programs post haste.
Thank you for this and all that you do.
– Marcus
Hey Marcus,
Glad our little talk was of some help to you. Excited to see where you go and to all the progress you are bound to make.
Strong ON!
– Pat
Motivation to me is when I “feel” like doing something and quite honestly when I first started really getting healthy I never “felt” like moving my butt. I still don’t on some days. Two things I would say helped: find something you like. If you hate it, you’re never going to do it so find something else. Seriously if you hate running, don’t run. There are a zillion ways to move and get fit, find one you like and just do it. I know it seems like an oversimplification and I know it’s hard but it’s the only way. You have to throw aside everything else and just go do it. Make the decision about what you want, and go get it. And be really honest with yourself about what you want. You only get one body, it’s really amazing and if you treat it as such you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Two: don’t worry about perfection. life doesn’t always go the way you want it, but just because you miss a day or eat a cake is no reason to say to hell with everything. Try again. Keep trying. Then it becomes a habit and you’ll find yourself wanting to go. It’s not punishment and it never should be. You are doing something you enjoy because you value your health and loved ones and being alive and you deserve to be happy. So go do it. Now.
*like*