Motivation To Keep Running

Motivation For Running And Blogging

Motivation – Needed Around Here

My Challenge is To Do 30 Blogs During April

Here I am running two days late with my April blogging challenge.

I won’t go into excuse mode, enough to say yesterday and the day before were those sort of days.  Should have stayed in bed.

Anyway – troubles sorted and back on track

I just have to CATCH UP.

It was MY decision to take the challenge.  It was by choice and I am doing as much as I can to learn from the process and get my list building through blogging well under way.  I want to do this and recognise the advantages.

Also My Son Tom Has A Challenge.

Also my son has been training for the London Marathon which is on 22nd April.

Tom is used to physical activity, surfing and climbing – but running is new and a challenge.

He signed up via a Stroke Charity which puts the pressure on.

He has had to train hard and has followed the regime suggested by the marathon organisers.  He ran 22 miles last Sunday.  The weather was not good and it would have been easy to let that one slip.

I have to be honest he has not really enjoyed the process – but the challenge and reward of raising the money has worked.  I don’t think that he will choose to do it again.l  But he will do this one and is aiming to do it in less than four hours.

Let’s Look At Motivation And What Is Going On.

There are three things going on when you undertake a project/challenge.

Activation – the decision to do something

Intensity – the amount of effort that goes into doing it.

Perseverance – How long you can keep up the effort

Achieving your goal requires all of the above.

Types of Motivation:

Intrinsic Motivation

Arises inside of you. Like solving a puzzle just because you want to.  YES – want to

Pros – Easy to maintain concentration. Will do it regardless of reward

Cons Can easily be subject to moods.

Extrinsic Motivation

Comes from outside – eg solving a problem for money, recognition or praise from peers.

Pros – Easy to manufacture using rewards.  Makes difficult tasks bearable.

Cons – Prone to procrastination.

 

How to Find Motivation

If ONLY it was possible for us to enjoy doing everything with intrinsic motivation.

Unfortunately tasks such as paperwork, chores and study often need willpower and rewards to get done.

If you’re feeling apathetic or keep procrastinating on a task, get MOTIVATED by eliminating the excuses.

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Dreams get you started, discipline keeps you going
.
Jim Rohn
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How to get motivated

This stops you from the first step of motivation – starting an activity

1. You’re afraid of Failure

It’s a matter of perspective.

HOW TO FIX IT

Look at all the possible outcomes, including worst-case scenario.

If you fail, will it be really that bad?

AND

If you don’t do the task, what will happen?

Think of the consequences.

This negative outcome should jumpstart you into getting motivated.

 

2. It’s Too Boring

If you lack the energy to do a task, you’re likely to use your motivation to indulge in something else – like watching TV

HOW TO FIX IT

Focus on the task instead of the time.

By looking at what you need to do, instead of how long it’ll take you, you’ll become more stimulated. With this approach, time should fly as you finish off the activity.

If this isn’t enough, track your progress towards a goal.

Focus on whatever is the smaller of the two: how much you’ve done against how much you have to do.

 

3. You Just Don’t Feel Like It.

Are you weighed down by an immense feeling of laziness? Then it is time to get organised.

HOW TO FIX IT

You can’t plan your moods, but you can plan your day.

Think about when you are most productive. If it’s early morning or late in the afternoon, then organize your day around this.

If you’re still feeling lazy, try the count down from 10, and start. Once you’re in the zone, you’re more likely to get things done.

 

4. You Are Too Tired

If you’re struggling to stay awake, then it will be impossible to be motivated.

HOW TO FIX IT

Take care of yourself physically as well as mentally.

Are you stressed out?

  • Take time to meditate and exercise.
  • How are your eating and sleeping patterns?
  • Don’t skip on meals or pull any all-nighters.
  • Listen to your body, and if you’re still fatigued, visit your doctor

Please feel free to contact me. Simply drop me an email and I will send you a Relaxation and Melt Stress self-hypnosis audio.

 

5. You Don’t Know Where To Start

Decision fatique affects everyone. The number of choices you make in a day is inversely related to your mental energy.

HOW TO FIX IT

Create A To Do List

Getting started can be the hardest part, but if you can see what needs doing from the get go, you’re onto a good start.

Include not only what you have to do, but what choices you have to make.
It’ll help you get your priorities in order and help you manage your brainpower usage.

 

6. You Have Too Much To Do

How can you put effort into something when you have so many other things to do?

HOW TO FIX IT

Get rid of any unnecessary commitments.

Every commitment you make uses up your finite willpower. Learn to say ‘no’ to things and simply focus on what’s truly important in life.

If it’s the sheer size of a task that’s overwhelming you, then divide and conquer.

Feel good about the small successes.

 

7. You Don’t See The Point

You’re faced with a mid-task crisis. Why I am doing this, exactly?

HOW TO FIX IT

Be clear on the end goal.

Know what you’re doing and why. If it is something boring or unpleasant, accept it is something you need to do to turn yourself into who you want to be.

Think of the future, successful version of yourself. What would that person do right now.

 

Willpower if like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the better you will be at using it. So stop reading and start doing.

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