MOVEMENT OF THE SPIRIT IS NOT MOTIVATION
There are days when we are so tired that getting the internal push to workout is way beyond our reach. There are days when we are so distracted by the things of life that we cannot focus. There are problems that arise that demand our immediate attention. In all these circumstances our MOTIVATION is not there. We often try to convince ourselves that our MOTIVATION will return when the spirit moves us to get started. So, we set no particular goals and we wait for that golden moment of inspiration to hit us like a lightning bolt. In the meantime we occupy ourselves with things unrelated to training and we waste our own time.
OUR MORNING LACKED MOTIVATION
This morning was a classic case of being under slept with the resultant sensation of core fatigue. The tank was empty. MOTIVATION had left the station. If anything, I wanted to crawl back into bed and pull the covers up over my head and return to the “LAND OF REM.” I tried to get my eyes open and with them still shut I put my feet onto the floor and made my way to my bathroom scales. I came back into bedroom and awakened my wife so she could go to the gym with me. Since she is my best and only training partner we left the house under slept and totally UNMOTIVATED.
We started our training and we quickly fell into the routine we have established for the “BACK.” It wasn’t long before we were exchanging words of encouragement to keep going. In short our “DISCIPLINE” gave way to the MOTIVATION we originally lacked. In essence, by staying the course we found our MOTIVATION again.
SOMETIMES DISCIPLINE MUST TAKE OVER
I don’t have to talk myself into being MOTIVATED. I am on a quest to do well in this world of bodybuilding. I’m older than most bodybuilders so my hour glass has turned and time is running out for me and I have an acute sense of urgency to perform and get better.
I love this quote that I have written about, “WHEN MOTIVATION IS GONE IS THE TIME WE EXERCISE DISCIPLINE.” Often discipline to stay on track leads us back to the MOTIVATION we lost. Sometimes it leads us to a brand new reason to be MOTIVATED. Either way, we have to overcome the temptation to abandon our journey to the top.
BE WILLING ALWAYS TO SEEK YOUR OWN MOTIVATION
Let me close this conversation with this thought from Flex Lewis one of the greatest Olympians ever, “The Trophy is won in the hours when nobody is watching.” My Coach, Justin Dees emphasizes always that MOTIVATION is not a requirement if you know where you are going and what you want so long as you are willing to plug in discipline when MOTIVATION is absent. Justin has said, “Don’t talk about it. Do it!” In my case, My Coach has to cause me to do less and be more strategic.
I admonish you to labor alone and get used to it. Find that “THING” that pushes you forward. If you are UNMOTIVATED-—go find it. All of us have to travel this same bumpy road. See you on the trail to the next level.
Until next time I remain, Douglas E. Graham, Lt Col, USAF, (ret), MHSM
Six Pack and Senior 