Action Leads to Motivation

By: Michael Beiter

I asked my client, 'What's challenging you?'

A: Well, to be honest, get myself to work out; I know I need to do it, but my mind talks me out of it. The eating portions I got down and follow daily. Then I get down on myself and say I’m going to do it, and my mind thinks differently. I just need to convince myself to do the workout.

My response:

Hmmm. Interesting. I'm not gonna say I haven't heard of this before. I like to reframe the motivation to action sequence when this goes on. Most people think their motivation is what leads to doing stuff. Studies say otherwise. Once we start taking action, motivation to do more naturally follows. Knowing this, what small actions can you take that will lead you to get STARTED working out? Once you start, you'll probably finish the whole workout.

My answer; commit to one set. Or getting in the car and listening to your favorite music that energizes you while you drive to the gym.

Commit to the most minor action you can think of and watch your motive to do more build.

When I don't want to work out, I convince myself to just drive to the gym while drinking a cup of coffee. By the time I get there, I start moving around, and an hour later, I've got a workout done.

When I don't want to write marketing stuff, I commit to finishing a single email or post. Once I dive in, I usually find more I want to do, and a while later, I have a whole month done.

When I tracked all my macros, I often wouldn't want to do it in real-time, so I would track a day ahead and just eat what I planned the day before.

Switch your thinking here: Motivation does not lead to action. Action leads to motivation, which perpetuates, and you get stuff done.