Many times we will get inspired by an idea, have a vision we want to bring to life, or set a goal we’d like to accomplish but what gets between us and the finish line is our fuel, our motivation.
So how do you get this motivation? Well, a person is not born with more motivation than another person. In fact, motivation is not something we have, but it is something you do. In Jim Kwik’s, Limitless, he derives the formula for motivation as:
Motivation = Purpose x Energy x S^3 (Small Simple Steps)
Once you’re able to identify your purpose, nourish your brain and body to create the energy, and break your tasks down to small simple steps, this will help create sustainable motivation. Motivation to accomplish anything you want – whether it’s to work out and get in shape, finish an important work project, or plan a large event.
- Purpose
- Start with your why and be specific with it. Why do you want to get in shape? Why do you want to work on this project?
- Then ask yourself what are you passionate about? And sometimes finding what you’re most passionate about takes time, and takes trial and error as you grow. But it’s important to know what you are passionate about because it leads to purpose. Passion is what you love doing, this naturally will lead to your purpose, which is when you’re able to teach others about what you love doing. Having passion at the core of what you do will grow your purpose.
- Motivation comes from purpose and it’s also a set of emotions that help us fuel our actions. So continue to reflect on what emotions you will feel once you accomplish this goal, and on the contrary, how will you feel if you don’t? What will you have to gain and what will you have to lose?
Motivation is a set of habits & Routines, guided by your values and identity, that you carry ouT everyday
Jim Kwik, Limitless
2. Energy
- Sleep is important for the brain and studies show that a sufficient amount of sleep is needed to aide in brain health, focus, memory, and motivation.
- Brain diet: similar to how we would watch our diet to help build our body muscles, we also want to eat certain foods the help build our brain. There are many foods that contain the proper vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that nourish our brains, This includes avocados, blueberries, dark chocolate, salmon, turmeric, walnuts, water, and more. What you eat matters!
- On the topic of “working out your brain”, it’s important to continue to learn new things – whether it’s reading a book, take a class or online course, or reading this blog (shameless plug). Our brains are fluid and will continuously learn so as we keep learning, we are building our brains and increasing its capabilities.
3. Small Simple Steps
- And finally, what are small, simple actions that you can do daily that will build you up towards your goal? These simple steps should take minimal effort and should ultimately build into becoming a habit.
- Habits are very powerful and it is the habits we have that can make our break our well-being, finances, and health. The magic is in the habit, in the small simple steps. As you reflect on this goal you have, what are the small simple steps you can start doing daily?
Remember, motivation is not something we have, but it is something we do. Motivation is a conscious effort that we make to help us achieve our ideas, visions, and goals. It’s also not always going to be perfect – there will be days where you are lacking the motivation and that is okay.
We often feel guilty when we are unable to do what we intend to do (if we miss a day of working out or end up spending the day watching TV) but guilt will often lead to procrastination. So don’t beat yourself up, pick yourself up and continue to work from where you have left off.
