I was recently listening to one of Sean Croxton’s podcasts* early yesterday morning, his guest was Todd Durkin who Men’s Journal named top 100 trainers in the United States. This guy was awesome not because of his predisposed resume but because of his enthusiasm for motivation and mindset to success. He didn’t use a lot of those clichés we’re used to hearing from personal development guru’s which was a blessing to me because it all sounds like marshmallow-y stuffing to me, but was more direct and forthright. I mean, he coaches people for a living you figure he would have to be.
*[whom if you don't know is the guy behind Underground Wellness for holistic health. (I'm not getting paid to promote him I just think he's hilarious, and you guys know by now I love information that entertains at the same time.)]
But anyway, so I’m listening right, as I’m doodling at my desk when I should be working, and he gets a question from a caller about what makes a good and a great trainer.
His diatribe offered a lot of valuable tidbits which inspired this post. I’ve recently lost some of that juice I had when I first began and everything tended to run together during the week. It got me thinking about: instead of trying to solve the problem of NOT doing what I know in my heart I love, but how about going deeper and remembering the reasons and what actions I took to get to that state of mind.
If physiology is psychology then it makes sense to take the action that put me in that forward-moving state to begin with if I ever want to “rediscover” my motivation again.
So let’s take some action. It’s better than being stuck in a room kicking your own ass because you knew you wanted to do something but didn’t.
TIME TRAVEL
The first thing we want to do is to go back to the time when we first got interested in our passion. There’s a saying that goes something like this: “First we see, then we hear, and then we know.” We want to get to the knowing part so close your eyes and remember when you fell in love with this art form, this dance, this appreciation. Visualize what you saw at that moment. Can you tune into it? Can you make it clearer? The clearer you can make this vision, the more profound it becomes. Did you read something? Did an accident happen? Did you do something incredible? What was it? Picture it.
What about what you heard? Was there a distinct sound you can remember? Was the sound pleasurable? How would you describe that sound? Was it something someone said? A remarkable conversation? Was it gratitude or praise?
What did you think of this movie? Or was it a sculpture? What did you feel that created this excitement for the thing that you love so much? Was there a feeling of appreciation? Good deed? Was there calmness in this affair? Maybe a rush? How did it make you feel?
Now what made you invest in this endeavor? What about it got you excited? Why, in the first place, did want to pursue this profession? Or dream? This gratifying undertaking.
When you understand why you do something, it makes it that much easier to connect to it again. Although, if you’re still unsure as to why, then maybe you weren’t as passionate about it as you thought. That’s understandable. People do change. You’re not going to want to do something if you’re not interested, right?
CREATE THAT DRIVE
Moping around the house really does no good for anybody, and especially for that special venture that meant so much to you. This is why nurturing that passion is important to do every once in a while. But how do we do that when we’re not in the mood or have the energy, or maybe you’re just as angsty and rebellious as I am.
Well how about this: Take care of yourself.
Going back to that physiology is psychology thing again. When you feel like shit, you’re going to act like shit. Sure you had a crappy day, but your particular passion is supposed to be the thing that nourished you, that made you feel better. Such is the case as the old man who’s barely able to get out of bed and walk becoming rejuvenated by sitting at his piano and playing like a young boy with full energy and bursting with life. (Don’t ask me where I heard that story, it just popped in my head.)
Go shopping, exercise, hit on girls (or guys, I don’t judge), play some Wii with your sorority (I would if I had one), go out and have fun. As a note, I know a lot of people out there love their comfort foods like ice cream and butterfingers (mine are nachos), but food does play a big role in your energy level so be smart and don’t eat crap foods all the time.
Inundate yourself in your passion. Become an expert in your field, that’s what Four-Pillars wrote about . Read one book a month and within five years you’d be considered an authority (Todd Durkin said in the podcast, I found it insightful.) It makes sense: never stop learning. If you’re passionate about it, you’ll discover all the particular nuances about it and probably be considered a genius in time. The more you do something, the more you make finer distinctions. Me and fitness tend to have an off-and-on relationship, but when I indulge in it by going to Borders and reading all those fitness magazines or working out with a conspiracy theorist who exercises tirelessly because a secret society wants to kill us biochemically, I get inspired. My motivation starts to rise again. Now I’ve created momentum.
It’s also important to surround yourself with great people. By great people, I mean those that support you obviously, but also those that are striving for the same things as you. Build a team. Create a tribe. Join a forum. Make your own Facebook group page. Be around those that inspire you as well as those you can inspire. The synergy from those like-minded is ridiculous for the drive that you need.
Every once in a while you may need to take a break. That’s fine too. But don’t lose sight of your principle reason(s) for your passion. Sometimes we need to fill our well up with other activities or stimulate another part of our personality. Whatever. Do it. Watch TV, coddle up to YouTube for an insane amount of hours, finish that puzzle of the Batman logo you abandoned 15 years ago. To appreciate the things that we love it helps to step away from it.
And maybe sometimes you just need to kick your own ass or pay someone else to do it for you. Stop being stupid. Here’s a wallpaper if you need it. Maybe make a deal with a buddy and agree to pay him $100 if you don’t get some particular activity or goal of your choosing done by a certain date. There’s some motivation for you: don’t lose money. Fear response. Awesome.
All in all, if you love something, do it. There really is nothing else. You get good by doing something over and over again. You get excited by being in it, over and over again. Remember that feeling, and remember your reasons. Your car needs gas to go somewhere… better start making plans.
This was a fun post, and I’d love to hear what you think. Do you have any questions, comments, or ideas to share? Leave them all in the comment box below. And help spread the love by using the “Spread This Badboy” button below or retweet me. (Find me on twitter @leonterra)
