Action Before Motivation

Act first, get motivated later. There are three big lies that we believe about what sustainable exercise and good nutrition are made of.

Lie #1: You have to be "inspired" to practice. Lie #2: You should always be "motivated" to practice. Lie #3: "Experts" are always motivated to practice. Even for healthy-lifestyle individuals, there's no such thing as unwavering motivation. You will not always be “motivated” or “inspired”. Motivation comes and goes. Some days that motivation will be MIA. But that doesn't matter.

You don't need motivation nor inspiration to follow-through on plans to practice, consistently. What differentiates an "expert" from an "amateur" isn't necessarily motivation. It's action. "Experts" find focus. They find ways to eat better or move their body, regardless of how they feel.

Action often comes before motivation. Action creates a mindset of momentum. For instance, let's say one day you decide to go for a walk. You're not inspired, but your brain feels fuzzy and you want some fresh air. At first, you just sort of clump along, staring at the ground. After 5 or 10 minutes, the brisk breeze starts to clear the cobwebs. You stand taller and breathe more deeply. Your stride lengthens and your hips loosen up. Now you're walking proudly. You have direction. The movement is giving you energy. After 20–30 minutes, you finish that walk on a high. Your brain fuzz is gone, replaced by crystal-clear thoughts. Your body is energized. You feel re-engaged with life and the universe.

So what changed? You acted first. You didn't wait for motivation to kick in.

Think of motivation like a cat, they're fickle in their affections, and they tend to disappear when you want them around. You can't depend on cats. Nor can you depend on motivation and inspiration.

Instead, you can depend on 3 Ss:

1. Structure Structures are the things and environments that surround us, and the things we put in place to ensure that things get done. For instance:

• Have a daily or weekly routine that helps you stay organized.

• Look for a gym that is convenient and on your way home from work.

• Make sure your kitchen is full of healthy food.

What needs to be around you to support your goals? How can you make your structure easier for yourself?

2. Systems Systems are the processes and practices we use to make things happen. For instance:

• Do weekly meal prep.

• Or have a morning ritual of making your food for the day.

• Start an evening ritual to pack your gym clothes or walking shoes to take with you

What needs to happen for you to be effective? What processes and practices need to be in place? Then create and do those things.

3. Scheduling You don't just wait for the morning when you feel like going to the doctor. You book an appointment. Likewise, we don't just wait till inspiration strikes—we schedule time in the week to create our meal plans, shop for healthy foods, meal prep, and exercise. Book your nutrition and exercise just like you book any other appointment. Make it a time priority, put it into your calendar, and stick to it.

Take Away Message: Don’t wait for inspiration to take action; take action and inspiration will follow.

How will you make one of the 3 "Ss" work for you?