Lack Motivation? Sign up For An Event!

I often see billboards advertising sporting events. Usually they don’t get much more of my time than a bat of the eyelid and brief glance. I don’t really know why – perhaps its because I’m a bit of a cheapskate and don’t like paying too much for something. I’m talking about things like marathons, half marathons, triathlons, swim series, cycle races, etc etc etc. They don’t interest me much because I lack the stickability to do it – and also ‘fear’ losing. Not that I’d ever win – you know, you don’t want to look like the silly twat who entered a race well above their league!

But recently I’ve had a change of thinking. Sort of. While I’m not about to go sign up for a marathon, I wonder if perhaps signing up for something would make me workout better? If I had a goal in mind – one that was unchangeable by me – that a lot of people were striving for, would that help me to be consistent with working out? Well it worked for my sister.

She took Physical Education at school this year. For her it was more about keeping fit than wanting to pursue a career in fitness. Anyway at school they have a cross country run every year. It is compulsory to join unless you have some sort of proof – medical or parental – that you can’t do it. So she decided she was going to do well. Not win necessarily, but keep up with her friends and make a really good effort of it. For someone who never runs, it was a great goal. She was outside often, going for jogs around the neighborhood. The year before she came 40-something-th in the race. Nearly 50th. She was determined to do better this time around – especially as she was enrolled in P.E.!

So she had a goal in mind and set out to achieve it. She isn’t by any means a serious runner, but she wanted to beat her previous placing. On race day, she was running with over 100 girls from age 14-17. Aged 16 at the time, she did her best and came 32nd.

Now I don’t know about you, but that kind of achievement is outstanding. For someone who never runs – to step up and beat a score of the previous year – thats motivation!

So lets let it be a lesson to us. Lets go sign up for something we know we can manage, and then set out to achieve that goal! It doesn’t matter if we don’t come first, or second or third – just completing it would be achievement enough. What have we got to lose? A few dollars for a bit of motivation and a good lot of exercise? Go for it!

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Goal Setting: Why do most people fail?

Do you have a goal? Maybe you want to run a marathon – or get in shape for your wedding. Perhaps you want to go down a few sizes – or start bodybuilding.

Well I’m sorry I don’t have a quick fix. If I did then I’d be a millionaire. I have a very slow, difficult fix. But it is a lasting one. This fix is all about goals. Setting achievable goals that you can reach with a little hard work.

Focus on achieving mini goals

So I’ll call them mini goals! I’m talking about small weekly achievable goals. Maybe you want to eat less. Start by eating a smaller dinner. That can be a weekly goal. Write down all the things you want to achieve fitness wise. Some ideas are: cut out sugar, get back into running, lift weights, be able to run in a 5k race, swim 1500 meters without stopping, cut down on portion sizes, drink more water, etc.

Now you need to look at the easiest of those you could possibly achieve. If you want to be able to run a certain distance, then firstly set a short term goal. Start running every day for just a few minutes – maybe 10-15 or more or less. If you want to drink more water, then start by drinking 6 glasses every day. If you want to lift weights, then do a small number of reps 3 times a week.

Don’t set yourself up to fail

START SMALL! If you wanted to be a race-car driver… you don’t just go buy the hottest car and start racing. Quite simply you would crash and burn. First you’d need your license. Then you would need to know HOW to drive and maneuver the difficult courses. You’d need to know exactly how to handle a car. Then you would need sponsorship, a car, helmet, gear, a pit crew, etc. Rome was not built in a day and neither can you expect to get to your dream instantly.

Take action

So go now and write down all the goals you want to achieve. Then break each of these down into smaller more achievable goals. You know yourself and what you can achieve. If you’re starting from scratch then the goals need to be as small as possible. I suggest you set goals 4 weeks at a time. No more than this. Each week should build upon the previous so you can look back and see your progress. I also suggest you start as soon as possible.

What are you waiting for? Go set your goals for the first four weeks and focus on the small, not the big. If you look at the big you will just get disappointed quickly. Focus on the small and achievable and you will be flying.

Go!

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