Motivational Awareness
Dear Aspen reader,
When it comes to total wellness, food choices and creating opportunities for regular movement are so important. It would be hard to argue otherwise. Establishing consistent routines and habits are also key in creating lasting change. But what about motivation? Ignoring the importance of motivation leaves the wellness equation unsolved.
Let me propose a few questions to get your gears turning on the topic:
How motivated are you to change your habits for health, on a scale of 1-10?
Do you consider motivation to be something that certain people possess while others don’t?
How motivated are you to create healthier meals?
What is your level of motivation to explore new ways of moving your body?
Are you familiar with external motivators and rewards?
Webster defines motive as “something (such as a need or desire) that causes a person to act”. According to this explanation, I would argue that if you’re reading this letter then you have some level of motivation toward change. You’ve chosen to open the email, click the note and set aside time from your busy schedule to read the words on the page. By doing those steps, you’ve taken action and have shown interest in Finding a Healthier You. As small as it might seem to click or tap on your device, be proud that you’ve given a level of effort. Motivation is simply having a motive that leads you towards an action. Great job being motivated!
As you go through your day begin to develop an understanding around your motivations for the actions that you take – even if they aren’t food and fitness related. By viewing your actions through a lens of motivation, it will help you see where your priorities fall and make you more aware of the time that is devoted to various tasks. Once you’ve built that awareness you may start to see where a few, small tweaks can be made into your schedule that will encourage healthier habits in the days to come.
In health,
Alecia
“Ignoring the importance of motivation leaves the wellness equation unsolved.”