Action Before Motivation

Photo Courtesy of Allan Mas

Secret to motivation? Take action.

~ James Molden

How many times have you heard people say ‘I just lack the motivation to….’ or maybe you think about it from time to time too? I know I do.

But what if it wasn’t the motivation that was needed, but instead all it could be is a small action to start the journey. Thinking about it, motivation is given this persona where we think of it as something that has an amount, or a level to it, when really it is defined by our actions. Furthermore, the action doesn't need to be ground breaking to bring about change.

It is easy to get stuck in analysis paralysis, where we are constantly thinking about what we need to do to achieve our goals, whether that is fitness, health, fat loss, or career change. So many ideas, so many thoughts, big dreams, worries, and information. None of those are of any use unless we do something about it, the best workout or nutrition plan is worth nothing if it is only on paper.

Action often comes before motivation - not the other way around.

It is easy to look for the ‘motivation secret’, assuming it will come first and make us take action, when really taking action is what makes us feel motivated. A tiny action can often be the catalyst to change something simple like getting out of the door to the gym, going for a walk, or cooking a single healthy recipe. It is these small actions that often only take 5 minutes, it is about booking time with yourself. Even making a diary entry that says ‘go for a run’ can be enough to spark that missing desire. After that, all we need to do is push through the first few minutes of resistance and we have succeeded.

Action is empowering - the more we do the more we feel energised and willing to do more, and we then start to create motivation.

Action is satisfying - it is real, it happened, I did it.

Action is evidence - it is proof that we can achieve, it is a reference for the future.

All of this creates momentum. One small action can lead to many more and these are the actions that make everything else possible. So if you are feeling a little lapse at the moment, maybe you are struggling to get motivated, then choose one small action that can be the catalyst to change.

Show yourself that YOU matter and book some time with yourself.

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