Gina hated my article this week. She thought it was wayyyy too negative. I find it candid and uplifting. Who is right?
It was requested I write an article on motivation, and that proved to be an arduous task because 1) I refuse to pander; and 2) I feel like the spirit of George Washington incarnate because “I cannot tell a lie.”
After giving it much thought, I concluded that motivation is made up of not just one aspect but rather is multi-faceted. We’ll address the first side of it here, which is the non-negotiable, concrete, and unequivocal truth that everything IS YOUR FAULT!
If you’ve gained unwanted weight—it’s your fault!
If you have low energy—it’s your fault!
If you’re not strong and in shape—it’s your fault!
Gina‘s perpetual smile turned into a frown right about here.
If you’re ever going to make positive changes in your life, in regard to anything, you must first look at your starting place and accept responsibility for it. Back to the first example, the last seven months sucked. Corona virus was NOT your fault. How you responded to it is entirely your fault. You could have spent the last seven months training double time, in your free time, and eating healthier than you ever have; you could have watched the fuck out of Netflix; or you could have done something in-between. Regardless of the choices you made, they were your choices, and they’re your fault.
Gina started checking out at this point, but I’m going to get more upbeat; give me a second. 😊
What else is your fault? Every positive choice you make to move you closer to your goals is your fault. You started weightlifting again? That’s your fault! You’re making healthier eating choices? Again, your fault! You’re choosing to spend more time and money on your health? These things are all your fault! You wake up in the morning with great energy and zest for life? I’m pointing a finger at you because it’s your fault!
It’s my fault I went sprinting on Saturday even though it was freezing and raining. I almost skipped—either way, my fault! I did my neck rehabilitation exercises 2x today (I have severely herniated discs in my neck), as boring as they are, because I want to continue to stay active and mobile as I age and not turn into a has-been mess! It’s my fault I have herniated discs in my neck because I made a choice, as a young man, to be a professional wrestler. How I responded to the injury is also my fault. Everything is my fault!
As a result of all your “my faults,” you will see some sort of outcome. If you start losing fat, it’s your fault! You’re getting stronger? Totally your fault! You have more ENERGY and SPRING in your step? Completely your fault!
Step one of motivation equals taking responsibility for your actions and then taking some new actions that you are accountable for. The point of taking responsiblity is not to beat yourself up but rather to identify what actions are keeping you from your goals and to then replace them with more beneficial actions. Let these new actions be choices that lead you to the outcomes you truly desire. Looking at memes on Facebook will not create motivation! You must roll up your sleeves, put on your introspection hat, and engage in some diligent self-appraisal.
What do you want? Do you want great STAMINA? Do you want VIBRANCY and STRENGTH? Do you want to FLOW with VITALITY? Be filled with VIGOR, LIFE, and VIVACITY? Do you want to putz through life, directionless, or TAKE CHARGE and live a life of PURPOSE? Is your goal in life to finish as many television series as possible, or do you strive to be HEALTHY, HAPPY, and STRONG?
The second step to motivation is then identifying what goal you want to achieve and formulating a plan. We will cover this in part two.
Now, who is right? Chris or Gina? Either way, I know it’s all my fault!
About the author
Chris Rombola
Chris is the owner of Fit House. He's run the training departments at several commercial gyms, and after years of seeing how awful those environments were for his clients, he opened his own studio. He is devoted to getting people strong, lean, and healthy.
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