Habit and Motivation

Is there such a thing as a shortcut or a quick fix?


Sure, in some instances there is, we had a leak in the gym 2 days before opening, quick fix turn off the water. Did it solve the issues? No!


How about looking at it as willpower vs dedication? I often think about willpower as a short burst solution. It has a very short shelf-life, it’s finite and eventually runs out.

Let’s couple this with fitness and see how each affect us reaching our goals.


Willpower and motivation will get you started for sure, and I add that they should not be underestimated. What happens when they start to disappear?


You stop!!


Or


You’ve created a habit and are dedicated to achieving your goals!!


That sounds pretty blunt, and sure it may be that it starts with the odd missed workout, increase of not-so-great food. The result is the same, we end up back at the start of the cycle.


My question to you is, can you use dedication to create the habits to get past a loss of willpower and get the results you want?

Let’s take the example of going for a run first thing in the morning, I’ll keep it overly simplistic: You need to get up earlier and get ready, immediately our brain will tell us that equals us being rushed and more tired at the end of the day.

Let’s flip that: You get all of your gear ready the night before, place it near you, and go to sleep 45 minutes earlier.

Solves the above problems I would say, sure you’ve still got to get up and do it, but you also get the same amount of sleep, and you aren’t fumbling around for your gear.

It also adds dedication to the activity you have signed up for it, you have set the groundwork.


Now, that’s not to say some days you aren’t going to be feeling it, this could be either your body telling you to rest, or that it is time to double down on your dedication to your goals.

Habits are built over time and become ingrained, dedication is needed to get to that point.

When it’s time to put in the work, do not hesitate, do the work!!

If you’d like to know more about building successful habits, speak to a member of Team SF Info@spikefitness.co.uk