Why Motivational stories don't motivate action
And how to create your own unique success stories
In my job as a Fitness trainer, I have seen many clients transform their lives by being regular with the program that I run for them. This has given me the confidence about the efficacy of the program.
However, I haven't been able to create as many transformational stories as I would like. For a very long time I wondered, as to why the success stories of some of my clients who got fit and felt fabulous did not motivate the others enough, to spur them into action and follow the footsteps of their successful peers. I would wonder, "Can't these people see? the success stories are all around them, and still they won't do what's certain to work for them".
Until I got wiser and began to see things clearly.
How Success stories are created:
Success stories are born out of actions taken to fulfil a burning desire or need. The more the fire of the desire, greater the chances of a success story being created.
When I look back on my own life, I can call my journey with trying to lose weight & feel fit, a successful one.
The Story: I was overweight and had lost my identity as a 'Fitness trainer'. And that title was (& still is), a huge part of 'who I am'. I wanted to reclaim it desperately.
I did everything in my capacity to do. From learning more about nutrition to having a workout plan to stick to. Start of every week my phone calendar read, "goodbye xkg” (I had charted a .5-1 kg weight loss per week plan). I would work out at odd hours sometimes, as that's the only time I got during the day. My friends thought I was crazy. If my daughter woke up from sleep or cried when I was in the middle of my workout (she was about 10 months old at the time), I would soothe her, get back & resume from where I left.
I truly understood the meaning of the simplistic quote that we have all grown up hearing, "where there is a will there is a way" & the truth of how it applied to my life. And I saw the results exactly as I had hoped.
There are many people out there who want to lose weight and might find my story inspiring. But unless they have a burning desire, as strong as mine was, they will struggle to pursue the actions needed to achieve their goals.
Now that you have heard one of my life stories, pause to look back on your own. Think of a success story you created in the past. You will realize that there was some burning desire or need that you were trying to fulfill.
Creating your own future success stories:
Stop looking for inspiration outside. There is enough of it, but none of that will spur you into action. Instead focus on your deepest need. Pause, pick a pen & paper, and start writing down the answers to the following questions:
A. What is it about my life that I am really tired of?
B. How do I want to feel as I live the years I have ahead of me?
Take your time answering those 2 questions. Be as descriptive as you like. Allow the emotions to fill you. By doing this exercise you are kindling the fire in you for positive change. And this fire will drive you to action, & propel you towards the life you dream of living.
And now, write down:
C. What action steps you think you need to take to feel the way you have described in the previous answer?
Bringing about positive changes and growth in our lives is never easy, but you know it's the only way to live fully.
“Nobody talks about this part…
You know, the part where you’re no longer a caterpillar and not yet a butterfly.
You don’t know who you are and you don’t know where you’re going.
All you know is that every fiber of your being is calling for transformation. For disruption. For a revolution of the spirit. So surrender. Break down.
This is not the death of you.
This is the dying of who you once were.
This is your rebirth, darling.
And these are called “growing pains”.”
- Alexis Rakun
If you are feeling overwhelmed with the actions you need to take, then simply break them down into smaller steps.
Revisit your deepest needs and allow them to fuel you towards doing the work.
You can look at repeating this exercise several times during the course of your life. As your needs evolve, so would the action steps.
Reflection Prompts:
1. What are some of the success stories of your life? (Success as defined by you, and not by the society. Achieving peace of mind, finding work-life balance, learning to assert yourself, even carving your own unique path of living, can all be successful achievements just as building a company or achieving greater financial stability can be). I challenge you to unearth as many of these as possible.
2. What are some of the things you think you did, that helped you achieve that success?
3. Can you use some of your own learnings from the past to now create a new success story?
True that! Motivational stories and quotes of others, does not motivate one. The motivation and dedication of oneself, always reflects on the result.
As always great reading for the weekend! Cheers!
True that! Motivational stories and quotes of others, does not motivate one. The motivation and dedication of oneself, always reflects on the result.
As always great reading for the weekend! Cheers!