What motivates me?
In the last 11 days since my operation I have had plenty of time to think about this question. Times where I was struggling to sit up, where I was waking up in the middle of the night crying due to pain or where I was really questioning what I had signed up for by doing this.
What motivates me (and please understand that this will be different for everyone) is my accountability to myself.
If I don’t make the effort that day to make myself better physically, make myself healthier emotionally and mentally or if I don’t show up to each day the best that I can be then I am letting myself down. That’s right, only me.
By not doing these things I wouldn’t be a disappointment to my bootcamp instructor, or my friends, my children or my co-workers. They all support and love me for me not for my effort. I’d be letting down the harshest critic and worst judge in the world. Me.
If I chose to hit that snooze button first thing in the morning instead of dragging my butt out of bed and down to the gym then I am facing a day of having to look at myself in the mirror and ask why. What did I gain by having that extra hour of sleep?
Don’t misunderstand me here. I am a big supporter of sleep both getting enough and having good quality rest. However, if you’re achieving both of those things and you’re not getting up because you want to avoid the discomfort of being cold, the stiffness while warming up your muscles first thing or the sweat and effort involved in putting in the hard work that’s another thing completely.
When it comes to those moments ask yourself what motivates you. Is it living to see your kids grow up? Is it wanting to be a healthier version of you? Is it to fight against the physical effects of depression or mental illness? Is it simply wanting something different, something better out of life? Whatever your answer is, whatever your reasons are RUN WITH THEM!
This is one question where there will never be a right or wrong answer. The only correct response is the one held inside of you.
Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing I hope you’re finding out what your motivation is, answering that question with honesty and approaching it with determination and motivation.
Love D.
Photo Credit: Armando Tura