Motivation isn't what we think it is...

I've always.' known' this. Heck Corinne talks about it a lot too, but I've just experienced this on a level that has been so eye-opening that I had to share... and I think will change my core values forever.

You see - we're using the word "motivation" wrong. What we think it means is to be "happy or excited in a positive way to do something"

When we say we're not motivated, what we are saying is "I'm not excited about doing this.. the thought of doing this doesn't bring a happy flutter to my heart"

But, that's not what the real definition of motivation is. Motivation is "the state or condition of being motivated or having a reason to act or accomplish something"

Motivation isn't being HAPPY to do something, it's simply having a reason to do it! In fact, we can be motivated to do something while feeling dread...

Let me give you my current example. I am unemployed. I got laid off Mid-June and looking for a job is a lot of work - especially when you are getting NO results. I woke up this morning, sat on my favorite chair and thought ."Fuck I don't want to do this today"

I was dreading it.

But was I still 'motived' to do it? Yeah! I still have a really BIG reason to open up my computer and find a few more places to send my resume to. A few more people to network with...

So, think about this next time you want to moan about not being motived to do your workout, or make your plan, or drink your water, or stop at enough...

Take out the word motivated and add "Not Happy" or "Not Excited" it changes it slightly, doesn't it?

To me when I hear myself say "I'm not motivated to work out today" It sounds so reasonable... but when I say what I really mean "I'm not excited to work out today" I realize what a punny excuse it is.

So instead, ask - do I have a reason for doing this thing? Is that reason good enough to 'motivate' you to do it; happy or not? excited or not? results or not? Even if it's just for today.

Yeah - maybe the later work is to figure out how to be happy or excited... and that's an amazing place to be. But that's a 'nice to have' not a 'must have'. to be motivated.

This is a game-changer for me