Motivation Monday

 

Most things worthwhile in life take some significant effort. Sometimes it can be downright difficult to get to where you want to be...or let's be honest...sometimes it can be downright difficult just to get out of bed and put on grown-up clothes. So what is it that drives people to accomplish things and move past the hard? How do people set big hairy scary goals and actually acheive them?! It is a simple concept really but it isn't always easy...THEY FIND THEIR "WHY" and they hang on tight!

Finding your why means knowing the exact reason you are doing whatever it is you are doing. It means staying in touch with the root of your goal. And we are not talking one of those weak little surface roots but the kind that goes way down deep into the richest and firmest soil.

Everyone's "why" is unique. And we can have a different why for every goal.  Do you want to lose weight? Why? Maybe you want to lose weight because you are at risk of a heart attack and you want to be around for your children. Maybe you want to lose weight because your anniversary is coming up and you want to feel amazing on your second honeymoon. Maybe you want to lose weight so you can acheive a life-long dream of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Whatever it is, that is the reason you will go back to every time it gets hard. It is the driving force behind every step it takes to reach your goal. In the case of weightloss your why will be the reason you can say "no" to donuts at work, stop hitting snooze at 5 am and get your workout in before the kids wake up, or add that spinach to your smoothie and skip the pancakes in the morning. 

Having a why does 3 very important things:

1. Keeps you motivated and when you think of it, it can renew your joy in the task at hand.
2. Helps you overcome the odds and dig deep when things are tough.
3. Gives you clarity so you can make good decisions and form a plan.

If you want to accomplish something, especially something that takes consistent effort, you NEED a WHY. The what and the how follow from that. The fight you need within you to meet your goal will always flow from your why. There is no "beat the odds" without a kick-butt why.

Sometimes it takes time to really figure it out but you have to do it.

I want to build my own business so I can work from home. I don't have a boss and I have to have a very strong why in order to make it happen. Wanting more money or a feeling of accomplishment are not enough. My why is something that connects to the very core of what I value and what I want in life. My family, being a present mom that has the freedom to be with my children in the moment and helping create a future for them along with my husband WHILE helping others...that is my BIG why.

Consistency does NOT come easy for me and I have to make my why "the boss." I have identified my deepest reason for building a business and working from home which means I have the strength to do things I need to do when I don't feel like it. Waking up early, pushing play and getting in my workout, and all the daily work tasks sprinkled in between dishes, laundry, homeschooling, and the daily grind of glorious motherhood...those things happen because of my why.

Having that deep touches-my-very-core kind of why is still not enough though. I also have to work hard to keep myself connected to my why.

Here are some practical ideas to stay connected to YOUR why:

1. Post pictures or even post-it notes with your why or things that remind you of your why in places you will see them. If your goal is to work from home put a picture of your family next to your alarm clock. If you want to lose weight so you can feel healthy and vibrant like you used to then find  a picture of you at your healthiest and put it on the fridge.
2. Keep a journal and re-write your why often. I like to break down my goals and write my why out weekly.
3. Share your why with some key supporters--find the kind of people you know will remind you and encourage you when you are feeling weak OR if need be will come over and kick your behind out of bed.

If you are like me and sometimes feel yourself struggling to get things done and reach your goals, ask yourself if you know exactly why you want what you want. Find your why and then the what and the how will follow and no matter how big, how hairy, or how scary that goal is, if you have a why to match, you can reach it!!