I woke up this morning filled with dread. Today was a running day. I’d promised myself that I’d go for a run today no matter what. And while my brain said, “great idea”, my body was like “OH HELL NO”! And so the question came up. How can I fake motivation before I feel it for reals?
I’m not a natural athlete. But this year I’ve been so consistent with my workouts. In fact, I dare say I’ve been pretty damn badass.
But then something happened this week. I just felt tired. My body felt sluggish. My arms and legs felt heavier. And the idea of putting on my running shoes seemed painful and inconvenient. And this brought me to a place of having to fake motivation. Because it just wasn’t there
So how do you fake motivation?
You have to take the first step. And so today I’m going to talk about ways to take that first step, even when you’re “not fully there yet”. Motivation “shmotivation”. Who needs it when you can fake it?
1. Think of yourself like a line of dominoes.
All you need is something to get the action moving and then momentum takes over. So what can get you moving?
For me, it was changing into my workout clothes. Hell, once I was wearing the clothes, I would feel even sillier not running. So that was a good first step. And that got me halfway there
Then I took myself out into the street, my iPhone cued up to a song that helps get me moving. OK, now I can stand on this street corner looking lost. Or I can put one foot in front of the other and get moving. I chose the latter.
And now I was running. And I will say, the first few blocks were hard, but as I moved forward my motivation grew.
2. Focus on the easiest part of the goal
I already talked about changing into my gym clothes. That was the easiest part of my goal. I didn’t object to doing that part. So I focused on that.
As you fake motivation, what part of the task can you get yourself to do? What’s a simple step you can take that will at least get you started? Don’t worry about the rest. Just focus on this attainable part of your goal.
Because, even if you do nothing more than that, you’ve taken a step forward. Baby steps are better than no steps. And you’ll do the easiest part which will often lead to doing more.
3. Think small before you think big
Here’s the truth. When I started my run, I only told myself that I had to go around the block. Because that would count as running, right? It would increase my endorphins. It would get my heart pumping. And it would get my metabolism moving.
In the end, I ran about 3 miles which is much more than just around the block. But what if I had initially asked myself to run 3 miles? That would have taken more motivation. And what if I had told myself I needed to run a half marathon? Jeez, I’m pretty positive I would STILL be in bed!
Make it easy on yourself to fake motivation. Think small before you think big
4. Give yourself a good reward for getting going
When I was in kindergarten I hated nap time. (What was I thinking?) But I worked really hard at being a good girl because that would get me a treat. Something like a crayon!
So what’s your prize for going through with your goal? Make it a good one! My reward for running will be that I get to take a nap this afternoon. (Ahhh, the irony.)
It’s nice to think you would be motivated by the long-term aspirations that come with any goal. But sometimes you’ve got to dangle a prize over your head right now or you’ll never get going.
5. Identify the larger obstacle
Sure, I could just write myself off as lazy. I mean, who really wants to get out of bed when they could sleep in a little longer. But what if I peeled away the excuse of being lazy. Might there be something deeper lingering underneath?
I spoke a few weeks ago about the physical problems I endured growing up. I always have to remind myself that my body can do more than I think. Because this is an area which creates a lot of insecurity. And in the end, I think this was a big piece of my resistance. I felt tired and I didn’t trust my physical abilities.
It’s easy to write yourself off as lazy or unmotivated. But that might not tell the whole story. There might be something deeper that you’re struggling to face. And you’d rather disparage your motivation than get into that deep, messy place where your real fears hide.
But I encourage you to leap in there. Sure it’s scary. But as you muddle through the uncomfortable areas, you start to grow.
Fake it until you make it. Well, at least when it comes to motivation.
Seriously, writing yourself off as lazy or unmotivated is taking the easy way out. You can work around what you perceive as a lack of drive. You just have to start thinking about things in a different way. And if this is a pattern, perhaps try online counseling to help identify why you’re continually getting in your own way.
I encourage you to stop the next time you tell yourself that you’re too lazy to get started. Because you can do better than that. So try to re-frame the obstacle. And approach it in a different way. And you just may be amazed by the results you achieve.
I love the fake it til you make it mantra. Sometimes we aren’t all full of confidence and self-assured, but it shouldn’t stop us from trying. Motivation can come and go, but generally once you achieve something, no matter how small, it pushes you along
I too have trouble getting up in the morning for a jog no matter how resolute I was the night before. I love your idea of a line of dominoes, that a small, simple action like changing into your workout clothes can get the ball rolling. I will definitely try out this approach next time I struggle to leave my bed! Thanks for sharing =)
This is a great motivation idea. I really need the motivation and once I start I am ok. My daughter is 11 and enjoys going for a run with weights on her ankles, as she is trying to strengthen her legs for gymnastics!!
That’s such a great point! Motivation comes from within, and if you have to pretend to have it at first, it might help!
I love these ideas. Faking it til you make it is positive thinking, because it says you WILL make it!
I feel encouraged by your post. Taking a step forward is definitely better than standing still. I quite like the idea of taking action in small chunks as it is quite easy to become overwhelmed when you know a lot is required. Though I do not run regularly I stay fit by walking and eating healthy. It is an effort and sometimes I fall off the ladder. What gets me back on is a reminder that I want to remain healthy with a sleek physique and no love handles!
This post is perfect! Focusing is on the easiest part of the goal always works great for me to achieve my goals! 🙂
Thanks for these tips on motivation. I sometimes have to fake it until I make it or else I won’t get anything done!
Fake it till you make it is areal thing if you think you can then go for it and it will happen. I hate working out but I know i have to so I start, the hardest part.
The whole fake it until you make it scenario proves that motivation doesn’t really matter. At any given point, we are either choosing or not choosing to do something, regardless of how we feel.
This is some good advice. I need to jump on the “fake to make it” bandwagon. I personally need to get motivated to go to the gym more often. I haven’t managed to make it happen though. I need someone to kick me in the behind to go more often.
I think it’s smart to start out thinking small. I try to visualize the big picture, but it takes baby steps to get there.
These are great tips! I struggle with motivating myself especially after a long day. I especially love focusing on the goals that are closest and easiest to achieve
I’ve gotten used to the whole fake it until you make it when it comes to achieving something. It’s good to keep motivating yourself. It’s one of the things that will keep you going.
Just a couple of days ago, I was in the same situation. I love working out but I hate running, especially long distance. I went to the Bay Run (7km) intending to just go for a leisurely walk but I thought I might just see how far I could run. When I looked at my Fitbit, it said I had run for 2.38km and I decided to hit 3km before walking because that was how far I used to run twice a week a few years back. But next time I looked it was on 3.88 which was over the halfway mark so I just decided that I might as well finish it running so I ran the entire thing.
Fake motivation really does help get you started until the real motivation kicks in to help you finish.
Fake it till you make it – I’ve always loved that saying because it can be used for so many different reasons, whether for exercise, doing a job you don’t like or going out when you’d rather stay home. Good tips.
Focusing on the smaller bits is a great tip, as you said once you’re in your workout clothes and out you feel like you should just work out x
I love the advice “focus on the easiest part of the goal”. I think often times when we think about the larger goal it becomes overwhelming!
Makes complete sense! I think it’s important to focus on what’s easy when you’re lacking motivation to achieve a goal. Going for the small instead of the big part of your goal is definitely going to help! Great tips!
Great tips Erica! I think a lot of people overlook the importance of building momentum rather than attempting to go from zero to full speed ahead on achieving a goal. My most valuable tool to keep moving is my dog. Once I start writing I lose all track of time and would likely just pass out over my computer at the end of the day if it weren’t for her nagging, err, I mean reminding me when it’s time to go outside. We do that three times a day – a short walk post-dawn and again the end of the day, and a long hike mid-day on one of the hiking trails into the forest that is my back yard. Sure is a far cry from when I used to work a “real” job and lived in my car and survived on fast food! Thanks for the advice, and good luck with your running. 🙂
I love this, I have always said just fake it until you make it! I have found that setting small easy goals really helps me when it comes to achieving the larger goals.
Loving these! I used similar tactics when I was trying to get motivated to start going to the gym last year (and I still find myself needing a pep talk now and then). Love the idea of thinking small–helps me feel anxiety and I can just focus on what lies ahead right in front of me rather than the bigger picture (which often makes me feel too overwhelmed)
Sometimes getting motivation from others is what helps ourselves. I definitely get motivitation also sit back and reflect on what I need to do to help myself and get it done.
Thx for the great post, Erica. I think we all need a little kick in the pants once in awhile. I have a friend who takes it upon herself to always give me feedback on how my work is going and what I could or should be doing. I really appreciate her input, as when we’re wrapped in the daily activities of what we’re doing, we often can’t see the bigger picture. And you’re right. Taking small steps is better than taking no steps.
I have a tendency to miss my Yoga sessions. (may be I am getting lazier by each passing day)
Whatever it is I have to fake motivate (as you wrote in the post). So next time when my body says ‘NO’, I will use points 3 and 5.
Thanks a lot!
I absolutely love this post and it is so true! some days the motivation just isn’t there and you have to fake it but it is definitely worth it and spirals into actual motivation
#3 I think is a really good one for everyone, but especially me. I find I put really big goals on myself and am often left crushed when it doesn’t end well.
I am in the process of faking it beacuse I really need to make it!!! Sometimes we need to do something to get going in the right direction. I am trying to up my water intake, have shakes and get moving.
Such a great post, I have chronic illnesses so some days I just don’t have the energy to do anything let alone complete goals I set. But your tips are great! Definitely worth trying x
Faking it until you make it can be great for lots of areas of life. I love how you’ve really broken it down and offered some great advice. Next time I’m lacking motivation, I’ll be sure to follow these tips 🙂
Such a great post! I definitely bite off massive chunks too often. Thanks for the encouragement to tackle smaller pieces. Great inspo…I can do it!
I love how powerful our minds are! Pushing ourselves instead of making excuses why we can’t do it is the best way we can motivate ourselves.
Haha love this!!! I’m one who always thinks of the small accomplishments to give my self curage for the big things
I love this! I fully agree too. All you need to do is get the ball rolling sometimes. It doesn’t matter whether you feel motivated, it’s about just putting one foot in front of the other at first.
When unmotivation strikes, I sometimes play a little game called “Think Of The Alternative” in which I say to myself, “If I don’t do X, then Undesirable Situation Y will remain in place, and I really don’t want that” – this is often sufficient to goad me into action.
That’s a great one, Andy. I love it!
Good for you for hanging in there–goes with Marquita’s post this week!
I do like the concept of “Think small before you think big”
The journey of a 1,000 miles begins with the first step. If we keep this in mind, while at the same time reminding ourselves of our goals, it does make it easier to accomplish it.
Thanks for sharing.
I definitely have to fake motivation…a lot, actually. But it does work!