“I just need motivation.” I hear this all the time. Motivation is a fuzzy concept in our minds. Like it’s just going to drop out of the sky and you’ll just say “Ah, thanks!” and just “do the thing.” Often, people think a coach will “give” them motivation. Fortunately, that’s not how it works.
Why “fortunately?” Fortunately, because if someone or something external is your source of motivation, it won’t last. That’s the root of a gazillion “I tried x and couldn’t stick with it” stories. If the motivation is external, you’ll quit if the coach isn’t busting your chops or prescribing your workouts, or telling you how to “meal plan” (don’t get me started, I hate meal plans and I don’t do them!). I help people to find their own motivation, so the changes they make will last!
There are three keys to finding your motivation:
First there’s your “WHY?”: What will it mean to you to achieve or make progress toward your goal? Coaches ask questions that help you figure out what that is, and often it’s not the obvious thing you think it is. I’m not here to judge. What’s important to you is what’s important to you. It can be wanting to be able to go hiking at 80, to improve your relationships, achieve aesthetic changes that help you be confident and “comfortable in your own skin,” or anything else.
Ask yourself, “what do I really want”. People have a hard time answering this question beyond a superficial level but knowing the answer is transformative. It might take some time to come to the real answer. I will repeat… No judgement, and that also means don’t judge yourself.
Second is your “WHEN”: Most of the time, if you say, “I really want to improve my health this year,” the highest likelihood is NOTHING will actually happen. This is the root of all those New Year’s Resolutions that fail. A goal without a plan is just a wish.
Coaches help you figure out how to get past the obstacles and actually fit the activity that will help you reach your goal into your life. Everybody has obstacles. Some are external like work and family, some are internal, like your beliefs about yourself and your genetics. And, like your “why”, your obstacles are unique to your situation. We can also help you find things that support you that you might not realize are already in your life.
When you work with your coach, you go from “I wish I was or had x” to “I have a plan for x that works with my life”. And, you realize that if you mess up due to something beyond your control, or you just have little back step and miss a day or even an intermediate goal, all is not lost, you just get back up and keep going.
Third is getting past the “SUCK FACTOR”: Yep, almost anything where you get results will have some level of suck. It might be that first half mile of your run when it feels really crappy and you feel like the slowest turtle out there, like everyone is wondering what you’re doing (they’re not!) It might be reducing your tendency to raid the fridge at 10PM while watching Netflix. I get it, it’s always there.
Coaches help you learn to break through that “just not feeling it” factor. It’s a virtuous circle because when you actually “do the thing,” you actually become the “type of person” who does that thing. It helps change your “identity”… how you think of yourself. That’s powerful!
I did this mini-post for you because I’m seeing that with the pandemic people have been struggling with motivation even more than usual. If you have questions, feel free to hit me up on Instagram or Twitter.
If you’re ready to think about making a change, push the button below to set up a Free Anti-Aging Assessment, and let’s get you started!
Neither Deb Stewart nor any employee of Custom Healthspan LLC is a physician, psychologist, registered or licensed dietitian, certified nutritionist, physical therapist, or other healthcare professional and the scope of his or her consultation services does not include diagnosis, treatment, or cure of any psychological or physical condition, nor do the services replace the necessary services of licensed healthcare providers. None of the content presented constitutes medical or psychiatric advice, nor is it a substitute for treatment. The content on this website is for educational and informational purposes only. Clients should use their own judgement before applying any information herein to their own personal situation. Custom Healthspan LLC disclaims all liability as stated in the Terms and Conditions of Use and Service of this website. Visitors are encouraged to consult a physician before engaging in any Custom Healthspan LLC program or any constituent activity, especially if you suffer or believe you may suffer from a serious psychological or physiological condition or illness.
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