#1 Motivational Strategy

Flashback to Jan 1st…

The following is my number one tip on staying motivated. It’s not some shock therapy, or deprivation punishment. It’s not a 12 step process to becoming a better person. It is however, the most motivational “person” you will ever meet. More motivational than me, Jillian Michaels, Trainer Bob, that other guy on that one show, and the Dalai Lama combined!

This is not really a person, or Matt Foley –  but rather your own values!

1) Write down what your “goal” is. I say goal in quotes because I’m going to tell you right now that this isn’t your goal, sorry to be a buzz kill (not very motivational, Mike!) Bare with me here.

Example: “I want to get healthy, I want to lose 20 pounds, I want to gain 10 pounds of muscle, etc.”

2)Wait 15 minutes

3) Now go back, and figure out why these are your goals. The WHY is the important part here. Another way to think of it is to add because to the end of the “goal”:

“I want to get healthy BECAUSE then I will be around for my kids and family longer”

“I want to lose 20 pounds BECAUSE I will fit into my clothes again and feel sexy”

“I want to gain 10 pounds of muscle BECAUSE then I will be able to land that new role as Superman” (everybody has a dream, right?)

Okay, I know those goals above ain’t followin’ perfect grammar, please refrain from informing me.

The WHY or BECAUSE represents your deeper values. These are what will motivate you more than me, your trainer, or whoever tries to motivate you. You can go even deeper with some of these. “I want to lose 20 pounds BECAUSE then I will feel sexy, and the spark will be back in my relationship or I will find a new relationship … or something like that.

(Looks, sex and attractiveness are huge motivators, this isn’t a shallow statement, it is just the truth. Looking good = feeling better = more confidence = you get the point)

In conclusion, write down your true VALUES – post them somewhere where you will see them everyday. If getting healthy for your kids is your goal, put their picture right on your exercise clothes drawer. If it is to look sexy, put a sexy picture from back in the day on your fridge with your value and goal written over the front.

Keep your values in mind at all times, don’t forget the “why”, and let’s make this years resolutions last past February!