Changing the Why
It's common to lose motivation to continue engaging in an activity. More than just common I think it’s safe to say that most of us can expect motivation to wax and wane yearly, daily, and even hourly. That constant loss of motivation is a major reason why I started my quest for mental toughness. Whether it's going to the gym, studying for a test, or working on a personal project, it's easy to fall into a rut and lose the desire to continue what we are doing. However, there is a way to rekindle that spark and find inspiration once again: by changing the reason why we are doing that activity.
When we first start doing something, we usually have a clear reason for it. We get excited and jump right in. For instance, we might have started going to the gym because we wanted to lose weight, or we started learning a new language because we were planning a trip to a foreign country. These reasons are usually what motivate us to start doing something initially. However, as time goes by, these reasons may no longer be as compelling, and we soon lose our enthusiasm for the activity. Perhaps the weight isn’t coming off quickly enough, or we don’t have anyone to practice the new language with and we soon realize that it is a perishable skill. These obstacles and countless others make us realize that the reason we started the activity isn’t reason enough to keep going.
Changing the reason why we are doing something can help us rekindle our motivation and find a new purpose for continuing the activity. For example, if we are struggling to find the motivation to go to the gym, we can change our reason for going. Instead of focusing on weight loss, we can focus on the health benefits of exercise, such as reducing stress or improving our overall well-being. Alternatively, we can set a new goal, such as running a 5K or doing 50 push-ups in a row, which can give us a sense of accomplishment and keep us motivated.
Similarly, if we are struggling to stay motivated while studying, we can change our reason for doing so. Instead of studying to pass a test or get a good grade, we can focus on the knowledge we are gaining and the skills we are developing. We can remind ourselves of how this knowledge and these new skills can benefit us in our future careers and/or personal lives, and how they can help us become more well-rounded individuals.
Finally, if we are struggling to stay motivated while working on a personal project, we can change our reason for doing so. Instead of focusing on the end result, we can focus on the process of creating something new. We can remind ourselves of the joy we feel when we are creating, and how it can help us develop our creativity and problem-solving skills. We can keep in mind that the best project we will ever work on is ourselves.
In conclusion, changing the reason why we are doing something can be a powerful way to rekindle our motivation and find a new purpose for continuing the activity. By focusing on a new goal or a different perspective, or by focusing on consistency and perseverance when there is no motivation, we can rediscover our passion for what we are doing and find inspiration to continue on our path.
