When the Motivation Disappears

The Motivation Equation

When it comes to creating positive change in our world, being motivated is a pretty handy thing to be. Yep, motivation is indeed a valuable resource.

When it’s there.

But like most emotional states, it has a tendency to come and go.

Sans Motivation

So, what happens to our goals, dreams, plans and intentions once that motivation disappears (and it will at some stage)? How do we keep doing the things we should be doing (to reach our goals and stay committed to our plans and intentions) when the excitement, the euphoria and the ‘feeling’ of motivation simply ain’t there?

Is it possible to keep the wheels of progress turning, the results coming and our mind focused even when we’re going through something of a motivational drought? Is it possible to stay on track and to keep doing - even when we don’t ‘feel’ like it?

What is Motivation?

For most of us, the term ‘being motivated’ means being in a particular emotional state. Specifically, a state of heightened arousal, excitement, anticipation and optimism. In fact, we often see the words ‘feel’ and ‘motivated’ in the same sentence. “Hey Craig, I’m in the zone and I feel totally motivated.” And for many of us, being human means that we will spend much of our lives riding an emotional rollercoaster of peaks and troughs. That is, we will typically experience periods of greater and lesser motivation. This is neither good nor bad, weak nor strong – it’s merely a normal part of the human experience. However, the crucial thing – in the middle of all these motivational highs and lows – is how we behave (choose, act, react, cope, communicate) when we simply don’t ‘feel’ inclined to follow through on our initial commitment.

Been there lately?

As I have shared before, gym owners the-world-over know that they can over-sell memberships to their clubs because they understand that, in the majority of cases, once the initial (“I’m in the zone”) motivation disappears, so too will the member (from their club). Fortunately for the club owners, these days most members pay via an automatic direct debit which means that, more often than not, the payments will continue long after the de-motivated member has done his or her last bench press, bike ride or stretch class. Good for business, not so good for Mr and Mrs I’ll get back to the gym next week.

Here’s a question I’ve been exploring for years: Is it inevitable that our behaviour, productivity and quality of results will be affected by (or maybe even determined by) our level of motivation over a given time period? The quick answer is: No (it’s not inevitable), but the expanded answer is – in most situations our motivational peaks and troughs will have some impact on our behaviours and, therefore, our results. Unless we can learn to be the exception.

And by being the exception, I mean being exceptional. That is, doing what most people won’t do (persevere, maintain, continue) in order to create what most won’t (amazing results and lasting change).

I know it all sounds a little cheesy and fluffy but more times than not, success or failure simply comes down to our ability to keep doing what we need to even when we don’t feel like it – which will be often. Sometimes (most times) success has almost nothing to do with talent or potential and everything to do with attitude, focus and perseverance.

Working with many successful people from all walks of life has taught me that – while the majority will find an excuse, a problem and a reason to give up (again) – there is a percentage of people who will consistently see light not dark, opportunities not barriers and solutions not problems. Of course, they are normal (in that they will experience all the normal motivational highs and lows) but unlike the majority, they will find a way to persevere, to stay committed and to get the job done.

The truth is that most of us spend much of our lives cycling through periods of more, less and sometimes, zero motivation. Some of us can go from ‘full-on’ to ‘not-on’ in the space of a day!  Sure, we all have goals, dreams and good intentions but if we’re completely honest, many of us will admit that we’ve thrown in the towel (stopped what we started) more times than we’ve stayed focused, committed and productive over the long term. In fact, many of us have a history of almost doing things. Or, in some cases, actually doing them (yay)… and then undoing them (oops).

A few brides (and grooms) I know spring to mind.

Let’s not get defensive, precious or angry about this. Let’s change. Let’s not over-think it. Let’s just commit to doing different from now. Let’s – right now, in this moment – choose a different reality for ourselves. Let’s be practical, realistic, accountable, honest and courageous.

So, how do we stay doing even when we don’t feel like it?

Naturally there’s no one-approach-fixes-all solution to this very common challenge. However, there are some strategies which certainly increase our chances of moving from the majority to the minority.

1. Create an accountability system. An accountability system is something (anything) that will keep you doing over the long term. It could be regular assessments (to evaluate progress) or it might be a performance journal (to track behaviours, results and even emotions).

2. Use a coach (mentor, trainer, accountability partner or workout-buddy). In other words, anyone who will help you stay focused and committed even when you’re being a negative pain in the arse.

3. Harden up Princess. I know, I know… this is just Craig being Macho. Wrong. Some of the toughest, strongest, most resilient and inspirational people I’ve met and worked with have been teeny-weeny (but incredibly powerful) women. Courage has nothing to do with physical size or strength and everything to do with attitude and spirit.

4. Always be mindful of the consequences of not changing. What will your life (body, career, financial situation, relationships) look like in five or ten years if you continue to procrastinate, delay and avoid?

5. Work hard to create life-transforming habits. When something is a habit, motivation is irrelevant.

Guys, I will be taking a little break from blogging for the rest of this week as I am on a dead-line for a book I’m working on. I’ll be back on deck next week to share the love. Keep in mind that there are almost a thousand articles in my library if you find yourself in need of a little motivation during the week. Also… off the back of our ‘Your Turn to Teach’ post last week, I have a few gifts for the following people: Jess @ THIR, Shann, Carey, Ian and Annette. If you guys can email Johnnie your postal details he’ll send you a little something for being ace. Don’t miss me too much…

Group Hug… x

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