I was listening to a podcast last night. One of the speakers said something that blew my mind. To paraphrase: "Motivation is an emotion and like all emotions, it ebbs and flows." And I was like Bert.
Then they started talking about how we don't always want to go to work, but somehow we find the wherewithal to get out of bed everyday and get to work on time. So where does that "oomph" to do those things come from?
There's extrinsic motivations - things outside of yourself that keep you going. It could be "I want to run a 5K." or "I'm going to get written up if I don't go to that meeting." But extrinsic motivation has a catch... so you run the 5k and you really don't like running. Now what happens to that motivation? Intrinsic motivation - things inside of yourself - is the ticket.
When you really internalize something, you just do it for yourself. It helps to build in and leverage parts about yourself to keep you going when it is cold, raining, and you don't want to get out of bed. A paycheck every week; your gym buddy is meeting you at 6:00; you told everyone that you know that you are going to run that 5k. For me, I know that I very, very much want to live a long, healthy, active life. I will not bail on someone, so if Sherry is waiting for me at the gym, I'll be there. I don't want to depend on my niece for help when I'm older, so I'm going to eat well, take care of my back and hip so I can move about freely and easily. I want to have fun, so I will do the things that keep me active and entertained.
All the pieces started coming together. I have Sherry to get me to the gym Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I have a plan. Build Your Power Zones and the workout plan from the trainer. I have the kick in the butt: I want to be healthy so I can live a long, active, independent life.
Today and tomorrow, Peloton. Monday, workout with Cheryl, and Peloton. Tuesday, Peloton. Wednesday, workout with Cheryl. Thursday, rest day. Friday, workout with Cheryl, and Peloton. I didn't plan meals last week, and I had some pretty haphazard meals, so I'm going to get back on meal plans.
Here's the link to the podcast: Balance365 Podcast
Plan the work. Work the plan. You’ve got it going on!
ReplyDeleteMotivation as an emotion... I'd not heard it stated that way before, but it sure ACTS like one! Ebbing and flowing... in a good motivational space just now... and praying for it to have the underpinnings necessary to keep it up!
ReplyDeleteInteresting take on motivation being an emotion. Mine definitely ebbs and flows. It's ebbing right now, moving back toward flowing, though. Thanks for the insight.
ReplyDelete