Do you remember that ecstatic feeling you get when you start something new? The excitement, the plans, you being able to see what success will look like even before you get there. From absolutely nowhere – in a snap, everything fades. You begin to feel like you’re forcing yourself to do something. Consistency begins to take a step back and you’re making excuses too.It may not be be that you’re lazy as many people may claim. Full disclosure, it’s just your brain protecting you!
THE PROBLEM:THE BRAIN LOVES COMFORT, NOT CHANGE
Let’s start with the obvious problem here which happens to be the brain. The brain actually loves comfort not change. The moment you kick off on something new such as a business, a habit, a workout plan – your brain releases dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that ignites your excitement. It’s normally called the feel good chemical. As soon as the real work starts, dopamine levels drop. As a matter of fact, your brain begins to tell you, “Hold up. We are leaving the comfort zone a little too much. Perhaps we could turn around and go back to that comfort zone.”Your brain doesn’t give a flying boat about your goals – it prefers protocol and comfort zone. This is why the ecstatic feeling to move forward diminishes just as soon as we begin.
THE TRAP: MISTAKING MOTIVATION FOR MOMENTUM
A lot of people tend to quit or stop because they think motivation should always feel like it did on the first day.As it turns out, motivation is a spark – not an energy tank. The real engine is actually discipline and systems.You don’t need more flattery. You need to make the consistency of chasing your goals and lifestyle. Motivation is the initial spark; the excitement that pushes you to start something new. Momentum, on the other hand, is the steady progress that comes from consistent action, even on days when motivation is low. When you mistake one for the other, you assume the early excitement will carry you through, only to slow down once the spark fades.
THE FIX: HOW TO STAY CONSISTENT WHEN THE SPARK DIES
1. Lower The Barrier to Start
Don’t take on more than you can handle at a time. Also, don’t aim for perfection – aim for continuity. If you want to write, write 2 sentences in every few minutes. If you want workout, take out just 10 minutes. Baby steps actually help keep momentum alive.
2. Track Your Progress, Not Feelings
Motivation barely speaks the truth. Data is actually the most honest bunch. Use a simple checklist or calendar to see your consistency. How far have you gone within a particular period of time. Does it look like you’re progressing well enough? Are you in a snail paced movement or are you derailing your progress? Visual wins keep your brain hooked.
3. Revisit Your “Why”
What you wish to achieve loses meaning when you can’t remember why you even strated in the first place. Put it down in a notepad or checklist. Go through it weekly. Let purpose replace hype.
4. Expect Boredom and Train Through It
Every new thing over a period of time will become a routine – and that is totally normal and okay. Progress keeps itself well hidden in the monotonic boring days.
THE TRUTH
You never lose your motivation. You simply move forward from the honeymoon phase – and that’s when your real transformation begins. Motivation launces things quite alright but systems get them finished and successful.
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