Have you ever signed up for an exercise class full of enthusiasm that this will be the next best thing to get yourself in shape? You show up early ready to give it your all. After a few classes, though, the enthusiasm wanes and you find yourself making excuses to not attend. The enthusiasm is replaced with a sluggish desire to stay home and eat chips on the couch while watching TV. Or maybe you’ve started a new eating plan and were on track for a few days, only to find yourself slipping in unapproved snacks and going “off plan” within a short time.
Why do we struggle to do the things we know are “good for us”? Why is it so hard to maintain the motivation that we need to get things done?
Part of the answer lies in understanding what motivates us, and also what inspires us. Motivation is best explained by the familiar “carrot and stick” image. It’s an incentive we put out ahead of us; a reward we will reap when we accomplish the task. It’s a force that pushes us forwards, propelling us to action.
Inspiration, on the other hand, is a pulling force. It’s our vision or passion which draws us forward towards our goals. Other people can also inspire us as we see their accomplishments and recognize that we can move in the same direction.
Knowing what motivates and inspires you will help you to decide, start, and stick to whatever endeavors you are undertaking. Whether you’re starting a fitness program, an eating plan, a new degree, or a new business your ability to recognize what motivates and inspires you creates choice. There are times when one may work better than another and it’s helpful to know which to use in different instances.
We all need both motivation and inspiration to move towards our goals and accomplish the things we want to achieve in life. How will you inspire yourself and others? What motivates you to get started and stick to a new project? How do you use the tools of motivation and inspiration to move from “thinking about it” to “doing it”?
To sign-up any upcoming workshop, please contact Carol:
Email: [email protected]
