MOTIVATION

I actually hate this topic because when people speak about it it sounds a bit generic like they just regurgitate some buzz words they’ve heard. It’s like they pick words I can’t care about or connect to in one long sentence. 

I also think motivation can be really personal, and something you have to connect to within yourself. What I mean by that is you have to feel it, it has to bring you to the point you want something to be different.

Being ready to change is what it’s all about and that comes from within. It is different for everyone.  

Motivation for me is usually the result of getting to a very low point. I think I’m a bit slow, and I also need something to be really bad before I feel compelled to make a change. Is that good or bad? I have no idea. There’s probably some resistance or denial, or basic avoidance. Knowing that about myself has helped me to improve my start to a new behavior, although sometimes I still have to suffer or be beat over the head to make a change. I am a contemplator for sure. It’s important to be aware of how you are. 

Something I adopted years ago and this is not a hot take, that has helped me a ton is asking how the change will feel in my body. I know this sounds woo woo. It is not, your body will tell you exactly how you will feel and if it’s the right move to make. It’s important to be in your body, and be present. If you’re on a downward spiral and you are aware of some small changes you can make to improve it starts with checking in with your body and how it feels when  you think about making these changes. . 

Feeling what a choice will elicit can be your “tell” in whether or not you should or shouldn’t. You may feel a lightness in your chest, you may feel your shoulders lower from your ears, you may feel a pit form in your stomach, or you may feel tightness in your neck. 

I’ve noticed for me when it’s right I think why haven’t I done this before and will then look at whatever fear I had and try to understand. For me I have subconscious fears all around me and I can’t see them or feel them until I have a real check in. 

Try this:

Sit down, get comfortable, close your eyes and envision yourself doing the new thing and sit with it. You may also compare the feeling of if you don’t make that change or try that new thing. Sit with both and allow what comes up. You can go from there to making some decisions.