motivation is a flakey ass bitch

Undependable, unreliable, inconsistent, flaky ass bitch.

Motivation is like that person who is always coming around when they want something but they never ever follow through with what they promised they would do in exchange.

Like that time they said they’d help you exercise, then within that same exact week, poof. Gone. Flake fest 2022.

Then there was the time that they said they would help you prep aaaallllll your food for the entire rest of your life and within 2 lunches- gone. No where to be found. FlakeyMcFlakeface.

And what about that time you were going to wake up early and meditate and do some yoga, and clean out a closet and write a book…and what, like the next day - MIA.

This is because while motivation is sexy and shiny and what everyone thinks is going to get you want or where you want to go or who you want to become-

It is not.

Motivation serves its purpose in the same way that making a list does. It’s a guide.

This is a great tool to get you focused and moving in the right direction. And sure, it feels good and is inspirational.

But the thing about motivation is, it runs out. It comes and goes. It’s fleeting and fickle.

So while it’s all bright fun and shiny, it is also a flakey ass bitch.

What we need in order to actually accomplish all the things we promised while we were tripping out on motivation is far less sexy, far less fun and, alas, it looks a lot like work.

And that my friends- is

habit.

Womp womp. Booooooo. Thumbs down. Throw fruit. Stamp foot.

Habit is the real hero tho. Seriously. It is action in its most effective form.

Do you write a list or set a reminder to brush your teeth?

Or put your seatbelt on when you get in the car?

These seem small and obvious and maybe even effortless.

But that’s how you flex your habit honing muscles. Starting small and seemingly effortless.

Because once you tap into that, it’s like you have a super power.

Once you identify what it is you want with the help of motivation, you can gladly wave it on and go ahead and tap into the real source of getting shit done.

You sit down and you ask yourself- not how I will get these goals accomplished but

When will I get them accomplished. Is it something that needs to happen daily? Weekly? Monthly?

Ask- what is it you want (motivation) and then ask- when will you do it (habit).

For example: motivation waltzes in and you are inspired to get healthier.

Great: Thank you motivation. Standing ovation. Bow. Exit Motivation.

Instead of declaring you’ll work out everyday and only eat mung bean for a month and banish all carbs and sugar forever- which is what motivation would have you do-

You start a habit.

Ask yourself- what’s one thing you can do, that’s so small and simple, that is as effortless as brushing your teeth, that will help you flex your new habit muscle.

Hey- drinking water is pretty easy.

OK. So every morning when you wake up you will drink one glass of water.

It does help to pair a new habit with an existing one.

Brush teeth. Fill water glass, Drink it.

Now- will this help you lose 10 lbs and get a six pack? Some may actually argue, YES!

Because now you have practiced honing a habit.

Cause after a month of drinking water everyday maybe motivation waltzes in again, and you declare, “I’d like to get fit!.”

Motivation takes its bow, accepts its standing ovation, and as always, exits.

You decide you’ll start small like you did with your glass of water. So you walk around the block on your lunch break everyday. Or when you get the mail, you’ll circle the neighborhood.

Now what else can we do?

Want to learn a new language? Great. When will you learn a language. Not how. Everyone knows how. You need to decide the when. Maybe it’s driving to work in the morning.

Get in car, put on seat belt, play language learning audio.

In my case, I wanted to write more. So I asked myself, When will I write more?

:::check calendar:::

Wednesdays. Wednesdays I will write. I’ll post it on a blog that no one will read and that doesn’t bother me one bit. Because the goal isn’t to accomplish an award winning blog, it was to write more. And the only way I’m going to do that is to create the habit. So here we are.

There are so many ways to flex this habit honing muscle. It’s not one size fits all and what works for you might not work for me. And it’s not about being perfect. In fact, it can be helpful to anticipate what will trip you up, what will potentially throw you off course. If you prepare for this then its less likely to completely throw you off.

Just be curious! What would happen if you woke up 10 minutes earlier everyday for a month? And if you can do that what about 15 or 20 minutes earlier?

What if when you are drinking your water or coffee in the morning you read something positive. Or mediate for 5 minutes. Breath. Write down 3 things you are grateful for.

Motivation has its moments but

Learning the super power of honing healthy habits is life changing.