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"What
Motivates YOU?"
By Russ Yeager
( As Seen in the February 2005 Issue of Natural Muscle
Magazine)
Motivation is the reason that we get out of bed in the morning and
start our days. It is what drives us to get to the gym and work
harder than the day before. Motivation is the reason that great
ideas are turned into great accomplishments. Motivation is what
drives us to get things done!
It is puzzling and sometimes frustrating that at certain
times we are extremely motivated and feel like nothing can stop
us as we work towards achieving our goals, but at other times our
motivation seems to be almost nonexistent. Why is that? Are our
goals really less important to us so that our motivation decreases?
Surely that is not the answer. I think that there are normal cycles
of emotions and levels of motivation that people go through.
For example, motivation to hit the gym everyday and
to stay on a healthy eating program often decreases during the holidays,
but I think this is due to outside influences and not the fact that
we are not as committed to accomplishing our goals. Times like these
when motivation is low is when we need to remind ourselves what
our long-term goals are and exactly WHY we do what we do everyday
to get closer to those goals. This will not necessarily increase
your motivation, but it will keep you on track until your level
of motivation increases again, and trust me, it will.
Motivation can be found in many different forms and
can come from external sources or can be self-generated. Think about
what motivates you to get to work in the morning. For many of us
the motivation is that we need to work to make money so that we
can survive. Others are motivated to get to work because they truly
love their jobs and can't wait to improve their business or make
a difference in the lives of others. Either way the end result is
getting to work. However, I believe that the quality of the work
performed as well as the enjoyment and satisfaction involved is
much great when your motivation comes from within yourself and your
desire to improve, as opposed to being motivated to keep something
bad from happening, such as being fired for not going to work.
So, how can we use motivation to help us in our bodybuilding
and fitness efforts? I say any way you can and as much as you can!
When things are going great and your motivation is high then it
is important to take advantage and get as much done to move towards
your goals as possible. During these "easy" times you may not need
any outside sources of motivation. However, life is full of ups
and downs and there will inevitably be times when things get tougher
and motivation is very low or even nonexistent. These are the times
that you should find motivation in other places.
If your motivation to get to the gym or to work as
hard as you know you need to in order to improve needs some help,
then look at some pictures of those with physiques you admire or
watch a bodybuilding or fitness video featuring someone you admire.
Sometimes seeing others succeed through hard work (especially at
the same thing you are doing) can be extremely motivating in itself.
You can also use the opposite strategy by looking at pictures of
yourself when you were out of shape (if you ever were). This can
quickly remind you that you changed your workout and eating habits
so you will never go back to that again!
Associate yourself with positive people who have similar
goals and interests as your own. Having a close network of people
like this can be a huge source of motivation. Read motivational
books and articles. It does not even have to have anything to do
with bodybuilding or working out. It is easy to become inspired
by others who have passionately and persistently achieved greatness
no matter what form of greatness that may be.
Anger and criticism by others can be good sources
of motivation. Unfortunately there are people in this world that
like to put others down and tell you that you cannot succeed. Instead
of arguing with these bitter people who will not change their minds,
use their negative attitudes to fuel your motivation with a "prove
everyone wrong" attitude. If something makes you angry take it out
on the weights. I have had some of my best workouts after something
made me angry.
If you really need some motivation then just take
a close look at someone who would love to have the opportunities
and abilities you do, but will never be able to do many of the things
you can do. For example, my wife works in a hospital with spinal
cord injury patients, and one day I went to pick her up from work.
It was a Tuesday and Wednesday was leg day so I was thinking about
my workout. My motivation was kind of low and I was thinking about
how hard the workout was going to be and how sore my legs would
be. My attitude quickly changed when I got to the hospital and saw
adults, teenagers, and children, many who have been involved with
athletics all their lives, who would never be able to use their
legs again. It made me realize just how incredibly LUCKY I was to
be able to perform a grueling leg workout. My point is that sometimes
we just need to appreciate the gifts we have and take advantage
of every day God gives us to use them.
So, I ask you, and myself, what motivates YOU? No
matter what it is use the power of motivation to help you reach
all of your dreams and goals!
Russ Yeager is a 6'6' lifetime natural
bodybuilder and fitness coach. Russ has been called a "Physique
Transformation Expert." His passion is helping others make dramatic
improvements to their physiques, health, and level of life happiness.
Russ is a Certified Fitness Trainer (CFT), writer, and owner of
Russ Yeager's Health and Fitness (http://www.russyeager.com).
To find out how to obtain a free copy of Russ's brand new e-book
"27 Must-Have Tips For A Complete Physique Transformation" visit
http://www.completephysiquetransformation.com/
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