Let’s Talk Motivation
We all must have heard at least once I was so motivated to do this and that or You have to be motivated if you want to start a new habit or routine. That is not true. Motivation has nothing to do with creating a routine or habit. It won’t help you. The only thing that will help you is discipline.
A 2009 study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology said that it takes between 18 and 264 days for a people to form a habit, and that the average was 66 days. Do you think that you will be motivated every day for 66 days and that is how you will create the habit? I’m sorry to disappoint you, but the answer is no. Motivation is evanescent; it’s something that comes and goes, so that is why you cannot count on it. You must be disciplined. You have to create a program and to stick to it! It doesn’t matter if you are tired, sleepy, or not in mood. You have to do it!
I started working out in July, 2021, but until next February, meaning 7 months later, I had a lot of problems being consistent. I had periods when I was very determined and motivated to do everything in order to achieve my goal. Motivation would struck me instantly and I would feel energized and pumped, ready for a great workout. But by the time I got to the gym, all my motivation vanished. That is why you cannot rely on motivation when it comes to creating a habit.
Most of the time I didn’t have the energy to go work out and I would drag myself to the gym. Very often I would just work out just so I can cross it off my list; I wanted to quit so many times I lost count. However, something clicked after 7 months and it became my routine. The habit started to form in February and it became fully formed in March. That’s when I realised that by showing up for myself every day, I have managed to create a routine. Now it doesn’t go a week without going to the gym at least 2 times. You must have discipline and you must remember that you have a goal in mind and that you cannot achieve it unless you dedicate 100% to it.
The same rule I apply in writing. I have disciplined myself to do the same in order to improve my writing skill. I either write every day something or I read something because both of them help me develop my skill. As little as I can do that day is still a lot better than doing nothing. I don’t always have ideas or inspiration or I don’t have time, but I am always consistent. I tackle some of the ideas jotted down. If that doesn’t work, than I switch to reading. I read speciality literature and I try to find new words that I can use in my writing.
I know there will be times when you would need to do something else instead. But remember how you always have to show up for work. Why do you do that? Because you have signed a contract and you are obligated to do so. Think about the things you want to implement in your life in the same way, either it’s working out, reading every day, meditating, and so on. You are signing a contract that obligates you to dedicate yourself to it until it becomes part of your routine. Otherwise, it means that you have no respect for yourself.
I am curious to know what habits you have adopted lately and how long it took you until they became part of your routine.
