Stop Waiting to Feel Motivated and Start Acting Like the Person You Want to Be
Have you ever stared at your sneakers, knowing you “should” go to the gym, but just… couldn’t? Or promised yourself you’d start that new diet, only to find yourself standing in the pantry at 9 p.m. wondering what happened?
You’re not alone.
Lately, I’ve been seeing more and more posts online asking questions like:
“How do I get motivated to stick to my diet?”
“How can I make myself want to go to the gym?”
People are understandably frustrated. They feel like they’re failing at something that should be simple. They think, “If I could just find the right hack, trick, or secret, then I’d finally follow through.”
But here’s the truth: There is no hack. No secret. No trick.
Motivation isn’t something you find. It’s something you cultivate, and it exists on a continuum. At one end is extrinsic motivation, doing something for a reward or to avoid a consequence. At the other end is intrinsic motivation, doing something simply because you enjoy it.
People who are intrinsically motivated to exercise, for example, don’t go to the gym because they feel they have to. They go because they love it. The effort. The sweat. The clarity that comes after a hard session.
For many of us, that kind of joy-driven motivation might never fully take root, and that’s okay. You’re not doomed.
There’s another kind of motivation that’s just as powerful: Integrated motivation.
Integrated motivation happens when your actions align with the kind of person you want to be. It’s not about loving the task. It’s about seeing the task as part of your identity.
For example, maybe you go on a walk not because you love walking, but because you see yourself as a patient, present parent and daily physical activity helps you show up as your best. Or you prep healthy meals because you see yourself as a strong, capable woman who takes care of her body.
Integrated motivation connects your behaviors to your values and your sense of self. And that makes all the difference when willpower fades.
So if you’re struggling to follow through on your health goals, try this instead:
Take a few quiet minutes and reflect on these questions:
What kind of person do I want to be when life gets hard?
When have I felt most proud or authentic, what values was I living out?
At my funeral, how do I want to be remembered?
Let your answers guide your next step. When we tap into our values, they will always lead us toward what really matters.
You don’t need more motivation. You need more alignment. When your choices reflect who you truly want to be, the hard things become meaningful and much easier.
So the next time you’re stuck, ask yourself: “What would the person I want to be do right now?”
And then do that.
If you're ready to stop chasing motivation and start making choices that align with who you want to be, let's talk. I offer a free 15-minute call to help you get clear on your goals and explore how coaching can support you.
Click here to schedule your free call today. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Let’s take the first step together.
