Rediscovering motivation

Christine O'Connor
Christine O'Connor

If you are searching for motivation, try a little awesomeness, Christine O'Connor suggests.

I am awesome.

I'll explain why I begin with such a self-loving sentence.

Two reasons really: the first being I'd hoped you'd be interested, a little curious to know more of the egotist that lies within the writer and read on, and, secondly, because you have to start with something, right?

That very question was the answer to the question I asked myself.

Confused? So are we, I mean I.

This was how my body was feeling when I recently returned to Let's Go Fitness after a lapse, to continue my quest to yank out the summer body that lies beneath the winter coat.

Even the most motivated of us - you, me, Tony Robbins - can feel unmotivated at times.

In fact, sometimes we get into such a slump that even thinking about making positive changes seems too difficult.

Luckily, my awesomeness led me to a few tips on how to remotivate myself and I will share the best ones I successfully applied.

1. It does come back. People often say motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily. Realise that there's an ebb and flow.

2. Get excited. But how? Visualise, make a date, get excited about that date, mark it on the calendar.

3. Start small. Really small. If you are having a hard time getting started, it may be because you're thinking too big. You may be thinking you have to do these intense workouts five days a week: not true.

4. You can do anything, but not everything. I discovered that my lack of motivation was in part because I try to do too much. Meet my new friend, delegation. (She isn't all that popular with the teens, but ''Gym'' loves her).

5. Be inspired. Find inspiration, it is everywhere! Colleagues, internet, books, newspaper columns.

6. Commit publicly. None of us likes to look bad in front of others; we will all go the extra mile to do something we've said publicly.

7. Get support. From your significant other, from the petrol station attendant, anyone who will listen. Even better, pay a personal trainer, a fantastically motivating investment and life-coaching session all in one.

8. Banish negative self-talk, which can be a major cause of your slump, be kind to yourself and observe milestones.

9. Stick with it. If you feel the need to, change it up, just don't give it up.

So the question I asked at the start was how do I restart what I'd started? The rundown is, to put it simply, ''There is nothing to it but to do it''. Just do it.

I am thinking I should market that one - Just Do It - do you think that would attract interest?

Now, wouldn't that be awesome!

 Follow Christine's fitful return to the gym here in The Weekend Mix.

Add a Comment