SELF MOTIVATION || If You Wanted To, You Would
Have you ever heard of the phrase, “If he wanted to, he would”?
It’s a common phrase the younger generation uses when talking about dating and men who would “do anything if they liked the girl enough”. But how about “if you wanted to, you would”? I’m not talking about relationships–rather about your personal life. If we can say this about others, why not about ourselves? We are in control of our lives, so it only makes sense that we can change the path and the outcomes.
Understanding Self-Motivation
Let’s break it down. Self-motivation is the fire inside you that pushes you to do things. It’s the drive that makes you get up in the morning and pursue your goals, even when things get tough. Sometimes, we just need to dig a little deeper to find that spark, especially when you feel your life has been repetitive lately.
It’s good to have a routine, but sometimes, routines also need a change.
Finding What Really Matters to You
The first step is figuring out what you really want. It sounds simple, but it can be tricky. Ask yourself: What excites you? What are you passionate about? Take time to reflect, write down your thoughts, or create a vision board.
Sometimes, you don’t need to think so hard about it. If it’s something that will make you happy and is reasonable for you, go for it!
For example, I’ve recently been thinking about hobbies I wanted to try but kept giving myself excuses. I’d think, “We’ll, I don’t have THAT much time so it would be a waste if I invest so much but can only do this hobby a few times.” However, as the days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, I realized that if I didn’t make that change myself, no one would motivate me to start something I’m interested in.
Battling the Obstacles
We all face obstacles, whether it's fear of failure, procrastination, or just feeling stuck. The key is to recognize these challenges and find ways to overcome them. Try changing your perspective. Instead of seeing failures as setbacks, view them as learning opportunities. Meditation and mindfulness can also help keep your mind clear and focused, and we’ve got many articles on that in the Health & Wellness section.
Staying Motivated
Here are a few tips to keep that motivation alive:
Set Clear Goals: Make sure your goals are specific and realistic.
Find an Accountability Buddy: Share your goals with a friend who can help keep you on track. Schedule set check-ins (weekly/monthly) to keep the momentum going.
Celebrate Wins: No matter how small, celebrate your achievements to keep the positive energy flowing. Did you get up today and keep going? Celebrate that!
Stay Flexible: Life changes, and so can your goals. Adjust them as needed to stay relevant and achievable.
Think about it. If you expect others to do something if they “wanted to”, wouldn’t you have that same expectation for yourself?
The phrase "If you wanted to, you would" is a powerful reminder that we have control over our actions and our future. We can achieve our dreams by understanding what drives us, tackling obstacles, and taking small, consistent steps. Remember, you have the power to make things happen. If you truly want something, you can do it.
