Written by Edgar Ulloa
We’ve all felt that surge of energy that makes us feel unstoppable when motivation is high. Whether it be the motivation to start a new exercise routine, go for a run, or even complete some chores. Motivation is an incredibly powerful tool that calls us to action. Unfortunately, the big problem with motivation is that it’s always fleeting, never consistently there. It’s impossible to stay motivated for every hour of every day. That new exercise habit all of a sudden doesn’t seem that important anymore. The housework might get completed, but it’ll definitely be a while before we feel motivated to do some more. For that reason, we need to find a way to stay consistent and accountable with ourselves other than just relying on being motivated. Fortunately, we can do exactly that by building systems for success around those goals to make sure we keep the consistency and accountability that’s required to effect lasting change.
We can build a system of success to serve as a foundation for whatever habit we’re trying to add in our lives. That foundation, when we’ve had it for long enough, becomes unshakable and guarantees consistent forward movement towards our goal. Motivation comes and goes like the tides, but systems stay in place through it all like the mountain that has stood tall for centuries. On days you don’t really feel like hitting the gym or going for that run, the system is there to push you through. On days where motivation is high and you feel like you can run through a brick wall, the system is there to catapult you forward. You always win with a good system in place.
This is all great in theory, but what makes a good system in practice when it’s actually applied to your everyday life? The two biggest factors of a good system, as mentioned before, are consistency and accountability. Let’s start with consistency. It doesn’t matter what habit you’re trying to incorporate, consistency is king. When it comes to strength training in the gym, lifting medium-heavy weights three times a week every week is going to be far more beneficial and conducive to building muscle mass and strength, than going once a month and maxing out your body; doing your best to lift the heaviest weights you can tolerate. For something like running, having a system in place such as a 10 minute rule, where no matter how you feel or what the weather is, the minimum amount of time you need to be outside running is 10 minutes. You’d be surprised at how many times you’ll surpass 10 minutes and just keep going, without even thinking about it and feeling great in the process. Systems keep you consistent, regardless of how motivated you’re feeling that day.
The next big factor in building a successful system is accountability. Doing what you said you would do, getting done what needs to get done. A big hack to building a great accountability system is to do it with a friend. Letting yourself down is easy, letting other people down is not. Get a gym buddy, join a run club, participate in your local community garden, start a book club. It’s not always easy to hold yourself accountable, no one is perfect. But it’s definitely a lot easier to have other people hold you accountable. Don’t feel like going to the gym? Your friend is there waiting for you, you can’t let him down. The more you show up, either for yourself or for others, the easier it becomes to keep showing up. The friction disappears and it becomes an almost necessary part of your day and your life.
Having motivation is great, it’s almost euphoric. It can be the spark you need to change your life completely, for the better. But only relying on motivation is a fatal mistake that, at its worst, can create an unhealthy cycle where you always start but never finish. Instead, build a system for success that stays strong through thick and thin, through the ups and downs. No matter how you happen to feel that day, no matter what the weather looks like outside, no matter how motivated or unmotivated you are, the system always prevails.