Motivation? No thank you!

I am not intended to offer you yet another pappardella on the motivation or pretend to me to the motivator on duty. I am a coach and I argue that the only motivation that works is the one we find alone, within ourselves.

There's a question I'm often asked: How can I find the motivation to do what I need to do? In other words, how can we do what we need to do when we don't feel like doing it?

I like to talk about things I experience firsthand, so I want to share with you a thought that came to mind this morning when I woke up very early to go to work out. While I was working out, I thought about it, and I asked myself: How can I do the things I know I have to do when I don't feel like it?

I thought about it during my training and realized I had a small, simple 3-step strategy. Being a proponent of practical things, I wanted to share it with you; I'm sure it can be helpful.

1st step

Surrender! It may seem strange, but it's true. Surrender to the fact that you have to do that thing. With this awareness, you stop the mental processes that automatically trigger themselves and search for excuses not to do what you have to do. In this way, your "have to" becomes a "want to."

2nd step

In Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), we talk about "chunking up," meaning moving from the particular to the general. In other words: what role does this small thing you have to do, this small piece of your mosaic, play in your larger plan? Take this small piece and look at it in the larger mosaic. That way, you can realize its importance.

3rd step

Here, you do the opposite of the previous step. To continue using the technical language of NLP, we speak of "chunking down": from the general to the specific. After seeing your mosaic, you return to the small tile and dedicate yourself exclusively to it. Your full concentration remains on the actions you are performing.

The next time you have to do something you don't want to do, but you know you have to do, try applying these 3 small steps. You will be able to find the motivation that will allow you to take action!

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