Dedication beats motivation every time.
Motivation is great, the feeling that we all sometimes get where we feel like we can take on the world and are ready to do anything. Just watch a motivational video on youtube and you will most likely feel that feeling to a certain extent. Motivation can and should be used as a tool to help you reach your goals. However it cannot be relied upon all the time. Motivation can be extremely powerful, however it can also be extremely transient and fleeting.
Dedication is different. It is far more consistent, long lasting and more immune to external influence. Dedication is a habit than we can develop through doing what we know is going to bring us closer to our goals, regardless of how motivated we feel. Dedication to what you want to achieve in terms of fitness and in life will help you do what you need to do, when motivation isn’t there.
One way to develop discipline in relation to whatever you are trying to achieve is to focus on the ‘why’ you are trying to achieve that certain thing. Let’s take weight loss for example. If you are aiming to loose weight and struggle with dedication to the process, figure out your ‘why’ and focus on that when motivation isn’t there.
Let’s take an imaginary example of someone who’s goal is to loose weight and dig a little deeper.
Why do you want to loose weight? To look better
Why? To improve my self confidence as I really struggle with this.
Why? I often feel like I am not good enough and that I won’t be able to achieve certain things so it holds me back from even trying, which has lead to significant mental health battles. If I succeed in loosing weight not only will I have more self confidence I will have more self belief. This newfound self belief will help me take on other challenges that I have been putting off and give me the confidence to achieve other goals that I have. As I prove to myself that I can do these things I really think I will feel better within myself not only physically but also mentally.
If you have been struggling with your goals sit down with a pen and paper for half an hour and figure out your why. Then focus on your why to develop discipline.