by Mark Davis, Perpetua Crossfit Coach
Staying positive and motivated is a difficult task, especially during the current situation. Here are some of the ways that I have been able stay motivated:
Sticking to Routine: Sleep & Nutrition
At the moment, routine is tough for all of us. Everyone is out of their comfort zone in one way or another. Keeping some sort of daily routine is a simple way to help you not only continue working toward your goals, but also to feel positive on a day-to-day basis.
Normal sleeping patterns have helped me maintain my daily motivation. As a coach I am used to early starts and late finishes. But when we closed down temporarily and the daily grind of coaching a 5:45am Crossfit class went away, it would have been easy to slip into holiday mode. But it’s been healthier for me to keep up what was once my daily routine. Even if you’ve been allowing yourself to sleep a little bit later on a daily basis during this time, it is still beneficial to set up some sort of routine during your day.
Sticking to a plan with my nutrition and food choices is another thing that has helped. Yes I have had days were I haven’t been 100 percent with my nutrition, but that’s okay too. Having a plan with my weekly shop and meal prep, coupled with incorporating routine into my day in general, has kept me on track.
Outside Influences: Listening, Reading, Watching & Talking
Michael Jordan: The Last Dance
I recently finished watching The Last Dance on Netflix. In this you get an insight into probably one of the greatest sports stars of all time. Jordan’s mindset is incredible; he has a will to win everything and be the best that he can be in everything he does. When you see the drive and determination he put into his career it really motivates you to want to succeed in anything you put your mind to.
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”
Tadhg Lawless + Eoghan McGregor
Working and training with friends can been seen as a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you get on with them. Chatting and listening to the lads on a daily basis is a key to my motivation. Tadhg’s and Eoghan’s work ethic is second to none. It’s easy to see how they’ve risen to the level of two of the most successful Irish CrossFit athletes.
Who you surround yourself with can motivate you to want to improve and learn more in any field.
Goal Setting: Short Term & Long Term
Short-term goals can help you stay on track toward achieving your ultimate long-term goals. Set short-term goals that are specific and achievable. For instance, a short-term goal related to routine could be: wake up at 6am every day for two weeks, or incorporate a green vegetable into every meal for two weeks. These goals are specific and easy to measure.
Long-term goals can be a great motivator for self-improvement. They give us objectives that we can strive to achieve. Your long-term goals are loftier ambitions that are supported by your short-term goals. They should also be specific and measurable, but in more of a big-picture kind of way.
These are only some points that help me to remain motivated. Everyone will have different things that will keep them on track for success. But remember: you can’t accomplish anything that you give up on. Disappointments and failures happen to everyone. The difference between those who reach their goals and those who don’t is finding ways to stay motivated.
