Having A Lack of Desire
Most people have had the experience of starting something new for all the wrong reasons.
When starting on a new job, sport, or any unfamiliar activity, we might rationalize at a later time why the particular endeavor wasn’t that important to us.
Why do people begin activities they hope to enjoy, only to abandon them later?
Staying motivated for a long time is much more of an issue for most than getting started on a new venture.
It’s easy to feel motivated briefly, but genuine perseverance is far rarer.
Motivation can originate from two sources: intrinsic or extrinsic. Both of these factors play a big part in how long we persist with tasks.
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How to Know You’re Not Motivated
A local high school football player in a highly competitive school district one day has to decide whether to stay in the school he’s currently in or transfer to the larger school across town that’s often scouted by Division I college recruiters.
He may be extrinsically motivated because of the potential to be selected for the more competitive and prominent school.
If he were intrinsically motivated, he would probably stay at his current school to improve his skills and be recognized for his hard work.
Extrinsic and intrinsic motivation are both important because they help us choose things we like to do and stay persistent with them.
For example, one day you may try figure skating during your free time as a way to help you bond better with your kids. You may later realize that skating gives you a sense of calm you never had at home.
For example, consider extrinsic motivation: this can encourage you to explore a new activity that could sustain your interest.
You typically start out extrinsically motivated by a particular cause. Over time, you may then find a reason to become intrinsically motivated.
So if you notice that you’re no longer excited to go to the gym, it could be that you haven’t yet found a new source of motivation to keep you engaged.
How to Keep Motivation Going
Most people don’t realize that seeking superficial or monetary rewards can drain the excitement you once had for an activity.
You may like to get behind the wheel of your car and drive around town everywhere you like, but you may hate it if you have to make a living at it.
Extrinsic rewards seem great at first, but they often make you compromise your values.
Many famous athletes lose love for their sport due to pressure from sponsors and coaching staff. This pressure often conflicts with their own motivation for the game.
You need intrinsic motivation to get through tough times.
Extrinsic motivation in bodybuilding means being inspired by images such as six-pack abs on magazine covers or bikini models next to flashy cars.
Intrinsic motivation in bodybuilding is seeing your physical progress or results on paper.
A long-term commitment to fitness and exercise involves loving your body more than anything else in life, even more than money.
Use a journal or log to track your progress and stay motivated on any exercise.
When you see your progress written down on a pad instead of just imagining it, you are more likely to stay motivated in the gym for longer.
Think about all the reasons you wanted to start working out.
Writing this down helps keep you accountable when you forget your fitness journey’s purpose.
Avoid people who don’t support your efforts—they always show up.
Expect some criticism from people, but take it with a grain of salt, since you know you’re headed in the right direction towards your goals.
The Wrap Up
Motivation can be intrinsic or extrinsic, and it plays a big role in how we make decisions. The choices you make may be extrinsic in nature, but they should have some kind of value to you intrinsically so that you’ll have a greater likelihood of sticking with them. The reasons you wanted to start are what will keep you going.
