A Motivational Habit

Excuses, procrastination and plain dislike create roadblocks to our goals and often why we don’t do what we know we should. But there’s another even more important reason-motivation. As we explore this month’s theme of execution in our #MemoryMakover, it’s important to look at the why behind the what. So far, we’ve explored our memory wellness goals, organized, and identified the importance of just do it. These are all key elements, but the final and most crucial component in any action is its underlying motivation. Let’s dig into a motivational habit to help.

The foundation of motivation is-do we actually WANT to do whatever it is we’re supposed to? If the answer is yes, motivation and actions flow. But if the answer is no, we need to dig deeper to find our motivation.

When I look at my own, friend’s, family’s, or client’s’ actions, our most productive and purposeful actions come when motivated. But how can we motivate ourselves and others when we don’t want to do something? Some reasons stem back to the habit loop.

Finding a Motivational Habit

Motivation can be missing when the reward for an action is not:

• Immediate- It’s hard to motivate toward a goal years away or that may never come.
• Culturally popular-it’s difficult to stand out from the crowd and do what others may not agree with or like.
• Not well understood-new, different, or unknown can create a more difficult or unchartered motivational course.

More effort is required to get ourselves ‘up’ or motivated in these instances. But we need to stand firm in our resolve to move forward with what we need to achieve our goals. Often small, mini rewards along the way fuel motivation and help us to keep moving forward toward out larger goals.

The key to execution begins with motivation. Once we find it and stand firm, we need to move forward, no matter how difficult it may be. Habits are integral in this process. So, your execution homework and habit to learn this month is simple: Just take one step at a time. That’s it.

Take one step forward in doing what we should toward our goals, especially if the motivation is less than stellar. Just focus on that step. Often when we take one step, the next comes easier, then the next and the next. Soon, we’re doing exactly what we may have otherwise put off or made an excuse not to do. After a few steps forward, motivation builds creating even more momentum. Repeat the process and one step at a time becomes a go-to habit. Identifying motivation and then executing is as simple and difficult as taking one step at a time.

Try it. See if creating this habit helps motivate you toward your memory goals. When we pay attention to just one step at a time, our procrastination, excuses, and dislike fade away as we find success and progress.

Let’s execute on a motivational habit of taking one step at a time and move forward in our #MemoryMakeover goals.Save

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