Yeah, the ability to measure one's progress in numbers is definitely an important motivating factor.
I think in general, people's main source of motivation is whatever strong emotions they have towards certain things or goals. Regardless of whether its positive or negative, such strong emotions either fire them up or bug them enough for them to get motivated and take action.
Emotions are definitely a big driver here. It’s important we are too driven by emotions as they can be more erratic than having a solid goal we can work towards.
What drives each of us may vary widely, and it's essential to understand what motivates us individually. Many of us can relate to the idea that having tangible data, like the stats you track on Strava, can be a powerful motivator. It provides a sense of progress and achievement that can be incredibly motivating.
Park runs sound a bit like the Harrier clubs I’ve been involved with over the years. Run someplace cool to check out a neighborhood or city, then gather. And always beer.
Parkrun I miss those!!! Similar to you I started running in 2014 but what made me push through the hustle was the fact that I needed to keep healthy for myself and my family. Motivation is the spark but discipline is key because not always do I want to run but I know it's good for my health. I discipline my mind to see the activity through. Thanks for the read
Totally right. It’s the discipline it teaches you too.
The video in my recommendations is interesting. I liked how you can seek to trick your mind into enjoying it. I’ve also tried this with nerves before a presentation. With practice I’ve managed to trick my mind into thinking excited rather than nervous. It really works.
Thank you so much for including me in your Top 3, Martin! And I'm so impressed/jealous about your running. I keep trying to do it, but this last try, my knees would "crunch" going down stairs. LOL. I got out of it in school due to my asthma, and now my knees disagree. I'll just have to keep walking fast...and learning! xo
Building it up slowly can really help. The other thing that helped my knees was daily squatting. Might sound weird but it opens up the joint and keeps it moving properly.
Thanks, Martin. I've tried the slow (with the Couch to 5K app) and I do a lot of yoga and squats (all of that stopped my knees from hurting). This last attempt, I invested in Hokas and was committed! But I have flat arches and "knock" knees (as a woman was so kind to point out when I was 10, LOL), and maybe that contributes (because it's not my asthma anymore). It's like me being vegan -- I've tried dozens of times, it's something I really want to do and know it's good for me, but my body refuses to take to it. Stubborn ol' broad that it is. xo
Well this was meant to be Martin! Just last night I was thinking I was going to start back to running today and I read your essay and voila...a plan. Thank you💕
I appreciate your reminder to get clear on why we are undertaking something. It’s so interesting that your desire to run came from losing your hair, I appreciate you sharing this. It’s made me realize why I have slid slowly away from running is because I have no clearly defined motivator. I’m the kind of person who needs that, especially around exercise.
I have measured my Heart Rate Variability every morning for 2,162 days and I have closed my Apple Watch rings every day for the past 1,909 days. It's the foundation of my commitment to myself.
Love this Martin. Exercise is always the one thing I usually exclude if my schedule gets too busy and I used to love doing Park Run before I went to university. Perhaps that’s something I can get back into. Thanks for the inspiration!
I have some 2,000 day streaks and I totally get you point on tracking and motivation. Keeping a streak going is the best motivation.
Wow, 2,000 day streaks! What are they for?
Yeah, the ability to measure one's progress in numbers is definitely an important motivating factor.
I think in general, people's main source of motivation is whatever strong emotions they have towards certain things or goals. Regardless of whether its positive or negative, such strong emotions either fire them up or bug them enough for them to get motivated and take action.
Emotions are definitely a big driver here. It’s important we are too driven by emotions as they can be more erratic than having a solid goal we can work towards.
Your tracking-motivation reminds me of keeping a daily log when I first got serious about stretching my time in meditation.
It does help having something that tracks your progress. Especially when change is slow our brains don’t always see the progress we are making.
What drives each of us may vary widely, and it's essential to understand what motivates us individually. Many of us can relate to the idea that having tangible data, like the stats you track on Strava, can be a powerful motivator. It provides a sense of progress and achievement that can be incredibly motivating.
Park runs sound a bit like the Harrier clubs I’ve been involved with over the years. Run someplace cool to check out a neighborhood or city, then gather. And always beer.
It’s a little early for beer but yeah, it’s a really sociable activity each week.
Parkrun I miss those!!! Similar to you I started running in 2014 but what made me push through the hustle was the fact that I needed to keep healthy for myself and my family. Motivation is the spark but discipline is key because not always do I want to run but I know it's good for my health. I discipline my mind to see the activity through. Thanks for the read
Totally right. It’s the discipline it teaches you too.
The video in my recommendations is interesting. I liked how you can seek to trick your mind into enjoying it. I’ve also tried this with nerves before a presentation. With practice I’ve managed to trick my mind into thinking excited rather than nervous. It really works.
Thank you so much for including me in your Top 3, Martin! And I'm so impressed/jealous about your running. I keep trying to do it, but this last try, my knees would "crunch" going down stairs. LOL. I got out of it in school due to my asthma, and now my knees disagree. I'll just have to keep walking fast...and learning! xo
Building it up slowly can really help. The other thing that helped my knees was daily squatting. Might sound weird but it opens up the joint and keeps it moving properly.
Again, build slowly and it can’t really help.
Thanks, Martin. I've tried the slow (with the Couch to 5K app) and I do a lot of yoga and squats (all of that stopped my knees from hurting). This last attempt, I invested in Hokas and was committed! But I have flat arches and "knock" knees (as a woman was so kind to point out when I was 10, LOL), and maybe that contributes (because it's not my asthma anymore). It's like me being vegan -- I've tried dozens of times, it's something I really want to do and know it's good for me, but my body refuses to take to it. Stubborn ol' broad that it is. xo
Walking is enough, and you’ve already got yoga.
Well this was meant to be Martin! Just last night I was thinking I was going to start back to running today and I read your essay and voila...a plan. Thank you💕
I appreciate your reminder to get clear on why we are undertaking something. It’s so interesting that your desire to run came from losing your hair, I appreciate you sharing this. It’s made me realize why I have slid slowly away from running is because I have no clearly defined motivator. I’m the kind of person who needs that, especially around exercise.
Again, thank you for this perfect article!
Thanks Donna. The hair might sound strange but it was this that made the leap into action. Something I could control.
It does show how personal motivation can be and how you need to find something that works for you.
Thank you so much for the recommendation Martin! Made my day!
No worries Josh. Keep it up.
I have measured my Heart Rate Variability every morning for 2,162 days and I have closed my Apple Watch rings every day for the past 1,909 days. It's the foundation of my commitment to myself.
Love this Martin. Exercise is always the one thing I usually exclude if my schedule gets too busy and I used to love doing Park Run before I went to university. Perhaps that’s something I can get back into. Thanks for the inspiration!
Definitely give it a go again.
Especially when I’m working from home I don’t let myself start work until I’ve done some form of exercise. Walking or running. It’s non negotiable.
As we age it becomes more important.