Staying Motivated

The title of this email is sort of a red herring. And in the next 120 seconds, you’ll learn why.

Motivation is great.

It sparks new ideas and serves as the catalyst for better habits, better health.

…But it’s short lived.

And if we know anything about health & performance, it’s that it takes month after month, heck year after year of showing up and doing pretty much the same thing. Which if you’ve been in this game for long enough, you’ll know isn’t always fun. In fact, it can be downright tedious.

I’m sure there are some days you look at your schedule and think “Training today? Not a chance”.

But then you shake it off, and you train anyway. You pack your gym shoes, you get in the car and you show up.

I might even argue that showing up is 50% of the work.

Because once you’re there, you’re almost certain to execute the session.

So why is the title a red herring?

Because motivation won’t get you there.

Whatever your goals are, motivation simply won’t carry you.

Cold, unforgiving discipline will.

Psychological grit will.

Sticking to the plan even when life throws you its obstacles will.

And if you’re not crystal clear on your training goals, that’s when you’ll get thrown off-kilter. Because you won’t be clear on what you’re working towards, and even minor inconveniences will seem gigantic.

My advice? Worry less about staying motivated, and think more about building the discipline of consistently showing up.