How to Motivate Yourself

I'm currently reading this great book (highly recommended) called Thinking Body, Dancing Mind. It is TaoSports for extraordinary performance in Athletics, Business, and Life. I love it. Anyway, there is a chapter called "Motivation" and it teaches you what it is and how to become motivated for anything in life, whether it be working out, playing sports, etc.

Motivation: result of LOVE for what you're doing. It is difficult to workout if you do not love it, but you can learn to love it and the benefits it affords.

Advice of TaoSports:
1) Notice! Ask yourself what you want and how you want it. For example, if you like solitude, perhaps walking or running would suit you. (Key is to know where you're going-to that which you love and value-and the path will become obvious.)

2) Do NOT become rigid with sports/workout schedule: Motivation has its seasons and you will experience down time here and there. Take time to "go with the flow of the low" periods of motivation. It's natural to lose it, but it will return with patience.

3) Have fun with what you do. Love it! Don't have a "work only" attitude. Reward yourself and change up the routine as well :)

4) "Whether pumping iron, doing laps, or hitting the ball, remember that there is a point of diminishing return. Excessive activity or practice is harmful when it causes burnout" (Huang & Lynch, 220).

5) TaoSports also teaches that failure and mistakes are lessons. Loss simply tells you how to reach greater heights.

Bottom line: Keep your perspective. Don't take yourself too seriously, lighten up and have fun! Tomorrow is always a new day :)

                                          

                                         Thinking Body, Dancing Mind