Motivation. The best long term solution to get results? Maybe not. Here’s why.

What can I do to be more motivated or to stay motivated? The question itself points to a common misconception and misunderstanding about what motivation is and how it works. As Dr. Jade explains in this instagram post, motivation is like happiness – or any other emotion really. It isn’t constant, and we don’t have complete control over it.

Most of us experience a range of emotions throughout the day. Like happiness or sadness, levels of motivation can wax and wane. Motivation can feel like a fleeting thing. High some days, and low others. That’s normal. Sometime we feel happy. Sometime we don’t, right? Why should motivation be any different.

Motivation is not a choice, but consistency is.

Dr. Jade Teta

There is no guarantee that you can keep yourself motivated. Meaning, motivation does not deliver us results. So what does then? Consistency is a much better thing to be thinking about. Why? Because unlike motivation, consistency is a choice.

You can choose to show up whether or not you feel motivated. If we focus on consistency – regardless of how we feel or perform, we will show up. If we focus on a feeling, like motivation, then we won’t always show up. We can’t rely on a feeling. That doesn’t mean that feelings don’t matter. They do, of course! But when it comes to consistency, the natural fleeting nature of feelings are not so reliable.

Showing up for yourself – no matter what, is a powerful mindset tool. It’s the best long term approach to get results.

Mindset shift: “I don’t always have to feel good [to take action]. I just need to show up.”

That type of consistency day in and day out builds motivation. It also builds confidence, and competency in what we’re doing and who we’re trying to become. After-all, most of us reading this are likely in the process of building a healthier version of ourselves.

For that reason, consistency will always beat motivation.

Remember, motivation is not a choice, but consistency is. You can choose to show up today. Overtime, motivation comes from consistently aligning your actions with the version of you that you want to be!

Photo by Aman Upadhyay on Unsplash