Motivation.
We all have it. We all
lack it at times. It varies from day to
day. And more often than not, we all
wish we had more. True, deep down motivation
does not come from external sources. We
determine it on our own. We set our own
goals, our own timeline, and ultimately decide what is important to us (and use
that information to drive our motivation).
Yes, maybe we feel more motivated by coaches, parents, a boyfriend or
girlfriend, etc, but real, lasting motivation ONLY comes from WITHIN. Don’t let me lead you to think I am saying we
don’t need others to help motivate us, keep us going, or help us to be better
individuals. We are human and absorb so
much strength from the people around us.
So that’s not what I’m saying.
But think about what motivates you, what drives you to be better. I guarantee it’s not stemming from an
external source, but from the internal “wanting” you have to achieve.
Once we recognize and accept this is when we’re able to reach
in and pull out the strongest form of motivation – the kind that we create on
our own.
Think about the last time you wanted to form a new healthy
habit or take a step in a direction that would improve your health. Say you wanted to start eating a nutritious
breakfast every day. Or you decided you
would get up early and get your workout in before work, or go straight after
work __days/week. Or you wanted to
finally GO to that spin class you’ve been meaning to try. Or go for a run in the park instead of confining
yourself to the monotony of your gym sessions...
Whatever the case may be, WHO ultimately decides whether you
follow-through? Whether you make a
decision to change or try something new that will lead you in a direction of an
even healthier future?
No one other than
yourself.
Those people that care about us are the people we need to
lean on to hold us accountable, to give us the extra push when our internal
motivation is lacking, and to be proud of us when we accomplish something
great!
But it’s not others that give us pride for developing
motivation, being action-oriented, and achieving our goals – it’s our internal
drive, wanting, and self-satisfaction that make us proud to achieve something
great. Something that means a lot to
YOU, personally.
To piggy-back on this topic, I read an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G article
the other day about “the happiness factor.”
We all know it FEELS great to feel happy. But there’s also lots of new supporting
evidence that happiness is beneficial to our HEALTH – for morbidity (disease
risk), survival of illness, and longevity of life (and quality of life for that
matter!). What else is happiness good
for? Lowering blood pressure, cortisol
and inflammation. Reducing risk of
developing heart disease. And
(whadayaknow?!) happiness leads to positive moods and emotions which broaden
your horizons and build your social, physical and intellectual skills… all
which lead to success. SUCCESS?
Oh, as in you have a goal… and you accomplish
it.
Now, we’ve gone full circle!
Motivation. Happiness. Success.
And everything in between.
I’m not going to continue with a “lecture” on how to be happy…
but think about some core values, like the ones set by IDEA: inspired service,
doing the right thing, exercising your happiness, appreciating everyone,
learning and thriving, and setting the standard. YOU are in control of your life. You make the decision on how your day(s) will
unfold; no, we don’t have control over our surroundings, but we sure as hell
are in control of how we react and let them affect us.
Focus on positivity. Practice it. A lot.
Before too long, you’ll be surprised how much that will be reflected
back to you by the people around you.
 |
| "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." - Daddy |
What motivates you? What
makes you happy? How can you combine
them and be successful – in your mind, life, heart? Where there’s a will there’s a way. And as my daddy-o always says, “nothing
ventured, nothing gained.” So why not
try? What’s the risk – other than your
very own HAPPINESS?
Always your FAN,
Maggie XOXO
 |
These 2 munchkins make my life happy :)
And to clarify any confusion, yes Riley is the boy (on the pink blankets)
and Bailey is the girl (on the blue). They go where they want!! :) |
I am always inspired by the people around me. By what I’m passionate about, by learning, and
by what makes me feel good. I wanted to
share some of the things I find helpful to be the best I can be in the area I
practice professionally and personally – being healthy. 
<< First, take a little glance at this sweet image on the left. Improving your fitness and body composition (leanness vs. fatness) don't just HAPPEN without a lot of effort. And yes, it takes a lot of effort to make a big change... not just a little trying here and there. It's important to make a lot of small changes to be able to stick with it, and not just one ginormous change all at once. But all those small changes and alterations to your habits... that takes EFFORT and THOUGHT and heck, some definite SWEAT. If you want to see and feel big changes, you have to put thought into it. And you have to follow through and make true, honest efforts. It's not always easy, but if you have a goal you want to achieve, what better accomplishment is there than achieving that goal? What goal(s) do you have? Make a plan and FOLLOW THROUGH. Tell people around you so you are held accountable. Find a group who has similar goals and share your progress together. Do what you need to do... but remember it's YOUR LIFE, and you only get one of those... so why not make it the BEST one possible? 
