Taking Action & Finding Motivation for Success

People often think that motivation has to come first and then action follows. I used to think that was the right equation, even though it felt like so much pressure to “be on” all the time.

And now, after hearing over and over from clients that their motivation is low and they want to work on finding it again, I had to ask myself, what if action came first and then motivation followed?

How often, especially in the cold, winter months, does your motivation completely disappear? I know this time of year, all I want to do is snuggle up in a comfy bathrobe with an even comfier blanket over me, light some candles, and order delivery - it’s way too cold to be going out there food shopping or even to take the blanket off and cook.

But I really want to keep up with my routine! I feel so good when I’m cooking for myself and getting my workouts in. And I miss my gym community and dance besties if I’m gone for too long - they brighten my day! How can I find the motivation to show up anyway??

I think we’re asking ourselves the wrong question.

The reality is that willpower is not reliable. We’re human, not machines. And when willpower is low, motivation can get lost, too.

First of all, this is totally normal. If it weren’t then we would have no challenges to overcome in life. And if we didn’t have any challenges, we would never grow. So our relationship to challenges is often a good thing to reflect on, too.

But today let’s talk about what we can do in those moments in order to stay somewhat focused on our goals.

2 words: Baby Actions.

Yup. That’s where we’re going with this.

By focusing on baby actions when motivation gets low, we can maintain our routines for as long as we need until the motivation comes back. By taking small actions, we get to see ourselves win, and motivation will undoubtedly follow.

Action comes first. Then motivation follows.

These actions don’t need to be huge. ‘Baby actions’ is the mantra, here. Even if that baby action is a 5 minute walk instead of the usual 45 minute walk, you still stuck with your routine of putting on your walking shoes and doing the damn thing, and that’s the win!

The other day I had a dance class at the gym blocked off on my calendar. I honestly did not want to move in that high-energy way. I slept about 5 hours the night before, I had an emotional week and had been crying for most of it, and I didn’t feel like being around people. I knew I wanted to move, though because that usually lifts my spirits. I drove to the gym anyway with no idea what I was going to do - push through it because it’d be good for me, or listen to my body and my emotions and do something else.

I ended up doing some mobility and lighter weight training on my own. I didn’t decide until I walked through the doors of the gym and realized I did not want to smile and “WOOOOO!!” my way through a dance class. I was not in the mood for it. And I’m so happy I didn’t.

I walked out of there feeling just as good as I would have felt on a day where my energy was high and I was ready to bust all the moves. And I felt motivated because I accomplished a workout. The endorphins were high and I remembered why I love being active.

Baby actions brought me the motivation I was missing.

I put my gym clothes on. I drove there. I sat in my car and considered driving home.  But I walked inside anyway - one foot in front of the other. I got my phone out for 5 minutes and distracted myself (I was very resistant). I started slowly with some mobility. And it led to some weights. An hour later, my body felt amazing and I was on my way back home, back to my couch and bathrobe.

Sometimes it really is about taking one small step at a time. And sometimes you are sprinting into your dance class, training session, or whipping up a gourmet meal with no questions asked.

At the end of the day, without action, we will never see progress. Our focus should be on the actions we’re taking and the habits we’re building. Motivation will follow, and it will grow each time we decide to show up for ourselves anyway.

If you’re ready to take action and unsure where to start, download my free guide - 5 Pillars of Holistic Nutrition - for some ideas on where you can focus and how to start taking action now!

Click Here to Download.

You got this, team!

Xox