Motivation Trees

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

26 Sep 2007 10:06 AM

I went to the doctor a couple of days ago because I wasn't feeling great, I'd had a persistent cough I couldn't get rid of and it was really messing with my workout and my plans. I was frustrated; I've had enough with the health problems this year beginning with my husband's emergency surgery last December to my surgery in February to the most recent escapade getting my wisdom teeth taken out. So when I discovered that I had walking pneumonia - well let's just say my attitude was less than thrilled. I mean seriously, who did I annoy?

Motivation Trees

That being said, it's really difficult to get motivated when you are constantly tripping over stumbling blocks along the way. In fact, it can be downright discouraging. The best way to cope with this kind of disappointment and struggle, in my opinion, is to tackle your motivation head on. A motivation tree lets you free think your way to the motivation that will work for you.

How do you do this?

Start by getting a piece of paper and a pen. Go ahead, I'm right here and I'll wait for you to get it. Got it? Good. Now, write your name in the center of the paper and put a little circle around it. From that circle draw a line and write the first thing that comes to mind with regard to your fitness. You might write:

• Need to lose weight
• Need to build endurance
• Not happy with it
• What fitness?
• Exercise, blegh
• Love it, can't live without it

Now, circle that phrase or word. Once you've done that, go off to another corner and write where you'd like your fitness to be. Whether it's top conditioned, athletic or just in enough shape to keep up with the kids. I once wrote a dress size there. You want to put a box around that.

Now, between where you are and where that box is, you have several paths you can take. Brainstorm away and write down all the things you can think of that would work for you. You might write personal trainer. You might write gym membership or partner. You might write down this blog. Whatever it is you can think of, write it down. Circle all the ones that are doable. Put a triangle around the ones that you'd like but are impossible and put a square around those that you could do if you make the time.

Some things will have squares and circles or squares and triangles. That's okay. Now, plot a course between your name, your first circle and that initial square you made by drawing a line from each through all the other squares on the page.

Now you have a plan - and once you see it on paper, you'll be amazed by how motivated you are to find a way to make all of that happen.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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