You DO Have Motivation - Let's Unpack It

Ever find yourself wondering why everyone else seems to have this endless wellspring of motivation that you just can't tap into? You're not alone. But here's a truth bomb for you: you do have motivation, just like everyone else. The real difference lies in what fuels that energy.

Think of it this way: motivation isn't a one-size-fits-all superpower. It's the engine that drives us towards what we truly value. You might not be jumping out of bed at 5 am to hit the gym (and hey, maybe that's not your jam!), but you are motivated to go to work, right? Even on those days when staying in bed feels like the ultimate victory.

Why? Because you value stability, providing for your family, or perhaps being a role model. Choosing to power through your workday, even when it's tough, is you actively living out those values. And why do we feel fulfilled and motivated when we choose to live by our values? Because it often fulfills our fundamental psychological needs of Competency (feeling effective), Autonomy (feeling in control), and Relatableness (feeling connected). Our basic psychological needs are just as important as food, water and shelter when it comes to living a healthy and purposeful life. 

So, where do things like physical fitness, healthy eating, and mental well-being fit into this picture? It all boils down to your values.

• What are your core values? Take some time to truly reflect on the ways of being that you aspire to live by.

• What does physical fitness, eating well, and mental fitness mean to you personally? Your definition might differ from someone else's.

• How would prioritizing these areas actually enhance your ability to live out your values? Maybe being physically fit gives you the energy to be more present with your family (your value which fulfills a part of your psychological need of a sense of Relatableness ). Perhaps eating well boosts your focus at work (a basic psychological need of a sense of competency). Or maybe mental fitness helps you navigate challenges with more resilience (a value of inner peace which also fulfills the basic psychological need for a sense of autonomy).

Stay tuned for new blog posts about finding your motivation.