Interesting topic. I was actually pondering the nature of motivation the other day, when I was 30 minutes in to a run and wonder why I was forcing myself to do it.
I know this will sound a bit cynical, but I postulate that the root of all motivation is either fear, or greed.
I don't think fear is an amazing motivator.
I partly agree. I think extrinsic fear - fear of some external threat - is the lowest form of motivation, as it only last as long as the threat is present. Being afraid of getting beat up in your tough neighborhood can be quite motivating, until you move out to the peaceful suburbs - then quickly get comfortable and fat. Being afraid of losing a girlfriend only last as long as she is a threat to leave. You get married, both decide you are sticking with each other - and quickly get comfortable and fat. I personally know a couple of ex-military guys who trained out of fear of losing their job - and when they left the military, guess what happened? I love that
@Bro Mo saw it coming, and did something about it:
Same thing happened to me so I quit my job and pursued a different one that has a need for fitness.
But intrinsic fear - essentially a fear of failing yourself - can be extremely motivating and persistent. Anyone who says they are training for longevity is, in essence, motivated by fear. Fear of frailty. Fear of losing their quality of life. To liberally paraphrase
@Al Ciampa , fear of having to rely on someone else to wipe your backside. This type of fear can be very powerful, and I submit that it is not at all a bad thing to be driven by this sort of fear. Part of what drives me is absolutely a fear that, one day I might be called upon, and find myself unequal to the task.
I think competing in something provides a guiding light well too. Maybe that's a martial art, powerlifting, the TSC, triathlons, etc but the competitive spirit is much more powerful than just a hobby.
I wholeheartedly agree - and this is essentially motivation based on greed.
Here again, there is a huge difference between extrinsic greed and intrinsic greed. Extrinsic greed - the desire to defeat others, to be raised above them - is in general a poor motivator, simply because most of us simply do not have the talent to maintain it. And often, a person driven by extrinsic greed is just not that nice to be around.
Personal example; I was a competitive athlete through high school and college. I high school, I was a big deal, and racking up wins to prove my own greatness was absolutely motivating. In college, I was good - but not in the top tier. Winning could no longer be motivation, it simply wasn't in my reach. So I had to find other motivation.
But intrinsic motivation - being able to take pride in your accomplishments, regardless of how they compare to the next man - I would say is the greatest motivator of all. It is also the most difficult to find, and to maintain. It takes great strength of mind to be able to be proud of what you do, particularly as you discover your own limits, and potentially watch others exceed them.
@Mike Sousa SFGTL ,
@Chrisdavisjr and
@offwidth all touch upon this in the form on mindset and process... but I doubt this can be taught, per se. I think it is an acquired wisdom.
I will admit that I struggle with this still. Despite having learned much about where my limits are... extrinsic greed is still most certainly a part of my motivation. I do take pride in being stronger than most, and sometimes that leads me down the road of being stupid. But I'm learning.
I think that you should find a way to exercise that you actually enjoy. So that you do it as an end in itself, without any extrinsic goals.
Absolutely! If you can find a pursuit that you trule enjoy, you don't actually need motivation, at least most of the time. We don't need motivation to eat bacon. We do it because it's delicious.