What driven, successful people know that ‘lazy’ people don’t.
Have you ever…
Tried to stick to a diet, but ended up headfirst in the biscuit tin three days later?
Joined the gym, only to lift one finger (and hit the snooze button)?
Felt empowered and energetic at a self-development seminar, pledging to change your life (starting now!)… but forgetting it all the next day?
You’re not alone.
Setting personal, financial, health-focused or family-oriented goals only to fizzle out shortly thereafter is a common phenomenon. In fact, up to 90% of new dieters and gym goers ‘fail’ within the first three months.
But what if we told you it wasn’t a lack of discipline or willpower? What if success was an inspiration deficiency rather than an innate personal defect?
Stopping to uncover your inspiration – the very thing that surmounts any challenge and keeps you motivated after the short-term excitement has worn off – is the simplest way to succeed at just about anything.
Why inspiration is 10x more powerful than motivation
Compare these two scenarios:
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You’re due at the gym at 5:30am to run on the treadmill. You know you need to ‘get fitter’ and this seemed like the best way to do it. The night before, you’re weak at the knees with dread. The next morning, all bets are off. You’ve talked yourself out of it, and staying warm trumps chilly toes – again.
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You’re due at the meeting point at 5:30am with your bike. You always had a soft spot for cycling, and since joining a local team six months ago haven’t missed a Saturday. You love the dark morning starts, the cold wind that turns invigorating a few kilometers in, the time improvements you’ve seen – and yes, the croissant at the end of the ride. Rather than obliged, you feel inspired to show up; and the fitness, health and personal benefits speak for themselves.
Obliged vs. inspired.
Spot the difference.
Unless you’re inspired to keep working towards your goal, motivation wanes and you fall into old habits, repeating the same cycle of on/off, gung ho/ho hum, fit/fat, healthy/hot chips. This can become a lifelong battle, a draining repetition that keeps you stuck, seriously sheepish and doubting your ability to achieve anything.
But when you have a why, a passion that pulls you forward without the need for a carrot on a stick, challenges take on a new lustre.
Without sounding cheesy, doing things for the love is the ultimate motivation enhancer.
What now? Ask these 11 questions to uncover your inspiration and succeed.
We have good news and bad news.
The bad news is that this technique demands upfront effort. In fact, it might force you to rethink your goals altogether – which can be both surprising and liberating.
The good news is that once you’re clear, focused and inspired, the effort required to achieve your goals comes naturally.
Ask yourself:
What are my core values? (Health, family, connection, service, etc)
What is my personal mission? (What matters to you above all else?)
What’s a cause that I care about that goes beyond my personal health and happiness? (Is there a problem you want to solve in the world?)
What could I do all day without needing to stop and eat? (What’s your favourite thing to do? How do you work best?)
What activities make me feel excited and energised?
Do my close friends uplift and inspire me to be a better person? Or are they reinforcing bad habits and attitudes? (Your close friends are also a source of inspiration. Choose them wisely.)
Do the goals I’ve set myself align with my core values, beliefs and interests?
What have you always been good at? What do your friends come to you for help with?
How do you want to be remembered? (What would make you proud to achieve in your lifetime? Would you like to leave a legacy?)
What activities and people are truly worth your time – the one thing you can’t get back?
Who am I doing this for? (Is it for you, someone else, or social norms?)
Taking the time to get to grips with these hard-hitting questions helps you set goals and challenges that align with who you are from the start.
By tapping into inspiration – not obligation – you harness the challenge-conquering and success-bringing power of love. Trust us, it’s far better than a treadmill at 5:30am.