Author: Tammy Taylor, CPT
Motivation isn’t constant. One day we can feel motivated to tackle the world, while the next day we may not even want to get out of bed. Often, when we set out to achieve a new goal, we have an expectation that we must stay motivated at all times! We think to ourselves, “I’m not only going to begin to work out, I’m going to be motivated to work out 7 days a week!”. The reality, however, is that relying on motivation is simply not enough.
How many times have you caught yourself saying this statement? “I know what I should do, I just need to do it!”
I know most of us would like to believe that if we know what we should do, that means we should also be able to summon the willpower to get it done. But research has shown that we, like the laws of physics states, tend to follow the path of least resistance. What does this mean? Well, basically it means we are pre-wired to go for what is easy and convenient.
This is where setting your environment up for success becomes so important!
We are continuously influenced by who and what we surround ourselves with. Our environment can impact our values, happiness, motivation and yep you guessed it–our health. Setting our environments up for success is one of the most powerful ways that we can help to balance out those natural ups and downs that motivation(or the lack of) can sometimes cause.
In order to counteract our natural inclination to grab for the lowest hanging fruit, or in this case perhaps the nearest cheeseburger. Start by setting your environment up to make what you truly desire easier and what your evil twin may be telling us to do, harder.
- Look around your home: When you first walk into your kitchen what do you see? Do you have a counter that is filled with cookies, and candy, just in case those grandkids come over? Or do you have all of your healthy foods out? A bowl of fruit on the table and maybe a variety of nuts. What does the inside of your refrigerator look like? Is it filled with foods that are over processed or are the foods conducive to your weight loss goals?
- Pay attention to your social circle: A famous quote by Jim Rohn says that, “You are the average of the five people who we spend the most time with.” What does your social circle look like? Do you find yourself feeling invigorated after you meet up with a friend, or do you leave the conversation feeling deflated? Surround yourself with people who display the qualities that you would like to one day achieve. Seek out people with the same goals and aspirations that you have. The right support can make or break your ability to reach your goals.
- Embrace change: Mix up where you usually go to eat, take a different path on your way to work, or try out that hot yoga class you have always wanted to do. Stepping out of your comfort zone is not always easy, but those small steps you take can lead to new adventures and even more friendships. And keeping your environment fresh can allow your body and mind to learn to respond to new situations and adjust accordingly.
