"If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Motivation: Where does it come from?
That's something which can be very personal to each person. We can have lots of reasons for being motivated. Today, we're talking motivation on the health and fitness front.
So, where am I at in all of this?
Well…sometimes, honestly, I'm motivated just by the desire to look better. What I've found, though, is that it becomes much more than that (no matter what it started as). The deeper part of this, which may not always be evident, is really in the way I feel when I'm making healthier choices.
And that's all really great – finding those things, whatever they are, that motivate each of us to strive toward a more healthy lifestyle.
Sometimes, though, it might be a challenge to motivate ourselves. And that's when it's great to have someone else there who can give us that extra boost…cheer us on…be an accountability partner. For me, that's my wife. And she does a super job at cheering me on always (thanks Lora!!! YOU are the best!)
Sometimes, though, it's also in just seeing the possibility in others. And that might be a one-time meeting with someone, or a longer term relationship (i.e. a coach), or anyone that can see what our potential is…and share that with us. Today I'd like to introduce you to someone who does that SO WELL!
I was recently in Washington, D.C. and had the wonderful opportunity to meet up with Angel Stone, a long-time friend from over at the Jungle of Life.
This was our first in-person meeting, and Angel's love of health and fitness just shined through. More than that, though – was her amazing care and and belief in ME!! And that was SO motivating!
Angel is an incredible athlete, with great plans for this summer's triathlon season! And I have no doubt she'll shine at this. And just hearing about all of this, itself, was a boost of energy! Our time together was much more than that, though.
The thing is…she cares. And that was my big take away from our time together. Angel (in the picture above) genuinely cares. And in that caring, what shown through was her seeing the possibility in ME! And that has spurred me on to step it up, to get out "there" earlier in the morning, to squeeze in a workout when I might otherwise pass, to choose "healthy" over "not so healthy"!!
We can all be that person! We can see the possibility in others!! And in seeing that – give those who cross our path maybe that bit of extra motivation they need.
And when that same possibility is seen in us (and it's in each of YOU!) by others, we will all feel that extra surge too!! Perhaps it's at a time when we are already highly motivated…and then it's the cherry on top of our hot fudge sundae (a little "treat" now and then is pretty motivating, too!). Other times, though, it can be just the words we need to hear….and how powerfully moving they can be on this healthy journey we're on…
Choose to see that possibility in others! And choose to be open to what others have to share with you!!
Shine on, awesome friends!!!
Angel writes a fitness blog – check it out at Fit and Hungry – it's packed with all sorts of great health and fitness information (and a bit of humor too!).
When Angel's not out there chasing down other people in a foot race, or out on some bike course – she also has a thriving personal training business she runs (and helps others to meet their own fitness goals) at Love Eshe.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
You know it’s funny, because just yesterday I was watching a refreshing brave video on motivation. So risking to be placed in the moderation queue I’m going to share the link:
http://alt1040.com/73269
It’s a blog post in Spanish, but the video is in English, just scroll down.
Miguel de Luis´s last blog ..Extry, Extry! Book I Finished
Hi Lance,
Congrats on your new site. I love it and you’re such an inspiration for boomers like me. LOL
I’ll be checking back often as I stay inspired as well.
Even when I was working 60++ hours a week, I still made sure to find time for my workouts! It was hard, heck it still is BUT the payoff is great & a good stress relief too! Once we got those 24 hour gyms going, I always do my workout first thing!
Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..2 Year Old Smoking Boy
I could not agree with you more Jody!
Good on you to stick with your workout routines despite your hectic schedule.
I am so thankful that Fitness World opened a few more 24hr gyms for us to vent and release stress in a healthy way.
Vincent Nguyen´s last blog ..Amazing Fingerless Guitarists
Hi Lance,
I do struggle with motivation, often and in many areas. But I think that when you do something that is your passion, that is what you love then the question of motivation doesn’t even come up.
With sports it’s a bit different. It takes some time to get to the feel good stage. And if you stop doing things for a week, the fitness level is gone very fast and takes a while again to build up.
What motivates me to go running is that once I got to the feelgood level, it was just mindblowing. Now I don’t ask I just do it. Because keeping that level is important for my balance in life. And feeling this good is just great and helps me feel good in other areas of life too.
So my advice: remember that feelgood level, and then just do it. Don’t ask questions. Just get out there. Make it something in your life that you just do at that time of the day. Schedule it in, take a buddy with you. I go running every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at lunch. No questions asked. And I do this no matter the weather. Sometimes it doesn’t work because I have to travel, but then I try to run where I am, or make up for it in the evening or the next day. And if that doesn’t work I don’t beat myself up about it either
Just do it Lance! I know you can.
M
Mindful Mimi´s last blog ..How all inspiring leaders do the exact opposite from everyone else – and why you should too.
Have a look at this video
http://www.good.is/post/what-motivates-you-explained-in-10-minutes
Hey Lance! What a great post. I have to remind myself to be open to what people see in me. That’s a hard one!! Also, I have such a strong need to be accepted, that sometimes I’m too accepting of other people where they are! An interesting concept that I should give a little push, nudge, to help them become what they are capable of becoming! Love it!!!
@Miguel – Thanks for sharing the video, Miguel! Daniel Pink has really created a wonderful graphic on what motivation really is all about!
@Tess – Hi Tess!! It’s great having you here…and YOU inspire me!
@Jody – Jody, I LOVE your attitude toward fitness…and it really shows!! You are a shining example of really getting out there and living this!! Woo-hoo!!
@Vincent – Jody ROCKS, doesn’t she!! And…finding a gym that works for you, that sure can make this that much more workable!! Keep it up!
@Mimi – Hi Mimi!! I love how committed you are to your running – and how it has really become a part of who you are! And that IS motivating for me!! Living our passions is pretty awesome (just like that video shows!)!!
@Natalia – Hi Natalia!! I had that exact thing come up today….where it was hard for me, too, to accept what someone else was saying about me (in a very positive light). So, this is really good to remind myself of, too. Natalia…you DO give that nudge!! I’ve been the recipient before…and it’s been so good!!!