Dr Jason Curtis, Sports Phycologist
Dr Jason Curtis did an interesting presentation on Motivation at the 2012 Albuquerque Stength Clinic, ...
Winning The Challenge
The reserch was based on Define Fitness, a large local gym with multiple locations, annual weight loss contest that was in January each year that coinsides with New Year's Resolutions.
Body For Life
Defined Fitness' program was based on Bill Phillip's Body For Life Weight Loss Contest that he promoted in his Muscle Media 2000 Magaine back in the 1990s. Phillip's also wrote a book, Body For Life.
The beauty of the book is its simplicity.
Curtis' Research
Essentially, Curtis determined Motivation is to some extent part of someone's DNA. Some individual had a lot of Self Motivation, some a had a little and other just didn't have it.
The break down was...
1) Self Motivated Individual
These individuals, as you might expect, had the most success. They were relentless in achieving their objective.
Many of the individuals on the StrongFirst forum have this.
2) Quasi-Motivated Individual
These individual had enough Motivation to show up for their Personal Training Session or show up if they had a Training Partner that held them accountable and to push them.
One of the most interesting aspect of this group was success was determined to a greater degree when...
Bonding With The Presonal Trainer
Curtis research rotated Personal Trainers. Think of it like dating and finding someone you are compatable with and connect with.
Curtis determined that individual who connected with their Personal Trainer and/or Training Partner were more successful.
While this goup had success with their Weight Loss, they weren't as successful as the Self Motivated Group with relentless drive.
3) Non-Motivated Individual
These individuals didn't have sustainable Motivation.
They started exercise and diet programs. After a few week, they stop for various reasons.
As per.
Every year people around the world make New Year’s resolutions to reach their goals, improve their health, and better their lives. Many people are successful at keeping their resolutions, while...Continue Reading >>
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The Psychological Aspect of Relentless Motivation
The research by Dr Richard Wisemen in his book, The Luck Factor, supports Dr Jason Curtis.
The Dateline story below (10 minutes) is the Cliff Notes on it.
The Success Rate of Lucky and UnLucky Individual
Wisemen found the Success Rate Percetage of those who considered themselves to be UnLucky and those who belived they were Luck were the same.
1) Lucky Individuals didn't give up.
They kept trying. They looked for ways and methods that would eventually get them to their destination
A great example is from a book by RJ Ringer on being behind in a race...
"I will eventually catch up to you.
I will try to pass you on the right, on the left, go under or go over you.
If I can't, that noise behind you is me breathing down your neck."
Ringer Take Home Message
Never give up or stop trying.
Alexander Graham Bell stated that when something didn't work, he did not view it as failure. He was simply eliminating what didn't work and moved closer to finding the answer to what would work.
As per Einstein,
"Research is what I am doing, when I don't know what I am doing."
Another book on what determines Motivation and Success is...
Drive
RSA ANIMATE: Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us, 10 ninutes.
The Three Factors That Drive Motivation
1) Mastery
Being consider an authority on something.
2) Autonomy
Being in control of your own destiny.
3) Purpose
Knowing what you do matters.
Summary
1) Motivation
a) Multiple Factors Dive It.
b) Some have have relentless drive, some a little and some don't.
2) Self Motivated Individual
This group is like a Train on the Track going full Speed.
The downside of these individuals often is having too much Motivation.
They can be overzealous, OverTraining at times.
With this group, you often have to "Rein them in".
2) Quazi-Motivated
Find someone that you can connect with that will hold you accountable, encourage you and push you; a Personal Trainer or Training Partner.
Have enough Motivation to show up and then draft off them. so to speak.
3) Non-Motivated Individuals
Some individuals are not Motivated enough stick with it.
This group for the most part cannot be Motivated.
With that said, at times a traumatic experience may prompt some Motivation in them to some degree.
"You Can Lead A Horse To Water..."
Trying to work with the Non-Motivated is the same as this saying goes.
Trying to help them is time wasted, if they aren't ready of willing.