When most people think about motivation, they think it\u2019s getting yourself \u201cpumped up\u201d or excited to do something. But you may have found that it\u2019s difficult to motivate yourself to do something you don\u2019t feel like doing\u2014especially if it\u2019s something you haven\u2019t tried or succeeded at before.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve previously tried and failed to find motivation to workout, you know that reading inspirational quotes or watching \u201cmotivational\u201d videos doesn\u2019t always work. This is because boosting motivation doesn\u2019t work like that. We have the misconception that motivation leads to action, when in fact, taking action is what actually increases motivation.<\/p>\n
Wait what? This may seem counterintuitive or unfair that you need to force yourself to do something before you have the desire or mental energy to do so. But that\u2019s how the human brain works. If your motivation for fitness is low, or hasn\u2019t been created yet because you\u2019re new to fitness, you can still set yourself up for success.<\/p>\n
Motivation comes from the Latin word movere<\/em>, which means \u201cto move.\u201d So, in a way, it makes sense that you need to move (or take action) first in order to feel the motivation.<\/p>\n Neuroscientists have studied motivation and have found that you\u2019re more likely to have the mental energy needed to achieve your goals when your brain understands the challenges, hurdles, and tasks involved. When you try something new or work towards a new goal, the part of your brain that creates doubt and disbelief (right prefrontal cortex) is triggered. If you want to increase your motivation, you need to tap into the left prefrontal cortex, which increases mental energy and focus. This side creates hope, inspiration, and belief that you can succeed.<\/p>\n Your brain is capable of motivating you to succeed at your goals, but unfamiliarity is what can lessen your drive (or motivation). Your brain needs to understand the action required to achieve this new task or goal, and it needs to feel realistic and doable.<\/p>\n Rather than relying on motivation as a jumpstart or a first step, think of it as a refuel to keep the momentum going. Motivation is much more likely to help you continue working towards your goals rather than make you want to get started.<\/p>\n Action increases motivation. Your brain is wired to increase motivation for tasks and activities we\u2019re familiar with and are confident about. It\u2019s easier to repeat habits you\u2019ve already built than to create new habits. So instead of trying to jump in immediately to tackle a new habit, think about how you can make it easier for your brain to build it.<\/p>\n With the right tools, the motivation will come. The road to your fitness journey starts before making changes to your body or diet, but with a plan to strengthen your mind.<\/p>\n Scientists have been trying to figure out how to increase motivation. They have figured out that there isn\u2019t a way to increase it directly. Instead, you take measures that make it easier for your brain to feel motivated.<\/p>\n Through intention and commitment, you turn your goals into a clear process that your brain understands and can get excited about. Once your brain understands your goals and the necessary steps to accomplish them, you can trigger the motivation.<\/p>\n This is the difference between \u201cmotivating\u201d yourself in a way that triggers the left prefrontal cortex that feels the inspiration to succeed, or triggers the right prefrontal cortex that fills you with doubt. There are many studies that support the idea that making a hard commitment, and preferably writing down your intentions in detail, increases the chances that you\u2019ll stay on task and reach your goals.<\/p>\nMotivation Starts With The Mind<\/h3>\n
Commitment Is Key<\/h3>\n
The Scientific Evidence<\/h3>\n