Motivation isn’t your problem. Commitment is.
I can’t tell you how many people have sat across from me, working their way to tears, describing how they can’t stand themselves anymore. How they are embarrassed to be at the beach. How they just can’t understand how they’ve gotten to the state they’re in. How they know that the path they’re on is going to lead to a really difficult life and an early death.
We talk through it all, we get them on a plan and they get going.
Some make it. They overcome the obstacle of starting a new habit, and they wear the grooves in the path enough that it becomes “easy”, even if it’s hard. They workout like they brush their teeth. Some days they miss it, and they just don’t feel right. But it doesn’t mean they stop. They keep going because they know that it’s working, even if those results aren’t immediately apparent.
By all indications, they’ve made it. They’re doing the thing. They’re extending their lives, becoming more capable and feeling more confident in less clothing.
On the flip side, many others do not make it. Despite all the accountability, coaching and excellence that we provide, some clients just don’t succeed. They waver, wane and eventually stop.
What’s the difference?
Many would say, “motivation”. But as we’ve addressed, they’re motivated. Everyone I know wants to live longer, live better and look better. Everyone.
Unfortunately, they’re just not committed. But, as a matter of convenience, they blame their lack of motivation.
But the reality is, no one wakes up motivated everyday. In fact, most people don’t wake up motivated most days. At 5am on a dark morning in February, motivation is meaningless. Commitment is everything.
The ones who are successful get out of bed because they just do, and the commitment they’ve made to addressing their motivations is one they honor and respect. .
Because they’ve said they’re going to do it, they do it. And they keep doing it.
Even if they miss a day, a week or longer, they’re commitment remains. So they stick with it.
And they succeed.
So if you’re not where you want to be, please don’t blame your motivation. Blame your lack of commitment, and recognize that you’re not alone in the ebbing and flowing of motivation, but that you just need to commit and do the thing because it’s what you’ve decided you’re going to do.