#45 June 10th, 2022

Thought of the newsletter: It's unavoidable that some days our motivation will just not be there, whether that's a work project, studying for an exam like the CPA, or just trying to go to the gym. It's okay if that's the case, it happens to us all. Sometimes we beat ourselves up for not feeling motivated, which makes things even worse. But what happens if this goes on for a longer period of time? First it can be helpful simply to acknowledge and label what's going on: I'm in motivation funk. Maybe you can scale back how much you are doing and try a lighter load, while still ensuring you're making progress. Maybe you need to switch up your routine. Study or work in a new location, switch up what time you work or exercise, try working with others if you've been solo or vice versa. Perhaps your mindset is an issue. Do you still have the belief that you can reach your goals through effort and work? If the belief isn't there it's hard for action to follow. Is there a friend or colleague who could encourage you and lift you up? A goal to be more motivated without some key action steps or a plan is only a dream. But with the right approach you can absolutely get your motivation back!

Everyone Else Could Be Wrong

Don’t be afraid to think differently because the general consensus is not always correct. You should not blindly except the majority opinion simply because it is the majority. There are times the majority is correct but there are also plenty of times where your unique situation is different enough that you should do your own thing. An area where this is definitely true is what constitutes “success” or what path your life or career should take. That is one of the areas where the answer is unique to you individually and also may change throughout your life. This article gives other examples where conventional thinking will most likely be the not ideal outcome. Don’t be afraid to seek out the outliers and the differing opinions. Even if you end up going with the majority it is still a good thought exercise to consider other possibilities.

DOWN TIME — ANDREW JAMES

This article has interesting thoughts and musings on the difference between complacency and contentment. There’s a fine line between the two but they are very different. Contentment is being happy with what you have while realizing you don’t want to stay there permanently. You do want to keep working toward goals and bettering yourself, but you can feel good now. You don’t have to postpone feeling good until you reach those future states. Complacency has more to do with not making any progress or changes, and it can turn into laziness or stagnation. I don’t think any of us would want to stay as we are for the rest of our lives. Growth and progress are worthy and attainable goals for everyone. We need to make sure we have patience and contentment along that way, and that we do not get stuck.

3 Reasons Fad Diets, Detoxes, and Quick-Fixes Are Keeping You Disappointed And Out Of Shape (#3's A Stinker) | JCD Fitness

There is a ton of content out there that promises quick fixes and quick results when it comes to your health and wellness. Drop a ton of weight in only two weeks or transform your body in only a month, headlines like that. Sometimes these programs can get results, but the problem is that they are not sustainable at all. Once the initial effect wears off there is not lasting change. You also have not developed habits that are sustainable in the long term. You may be able to do something extreme for a couple of weeks but then if you go right back to poor eating and little physical activity you’re going to go right back to where you were. Your health?is a long-term game, literally your entire life. You cannot solve itwith a silver bullet. The “boring” work must be continually put in, especially as you get older. The best diet is the one you will actually do and the best exercise plan is the one you will actually do.

The Dangers of Self-Improvement: Why Resolutions Fail

This article has a great hypothetical case study of two people working to improve their health and habits. The key difference is one has self destructive self image along the way while the other has encouraging self talk. Which do you think is more helpful??Self improvement is a great goal to have, but we have to make sure we do not engage in self destructive behaviors along the way. As we work to improve and better ourselves we are inevitably going to struggle on the way. We must think ahead about how we will respond in those instances. It’s very easy to beat ourselves up and criticize ourselves, and ironically we are meaner to ourselves than we ever would be to someone else. That type of behavior is not helpful at all; it actually it makes it more likely that we will give up and quit. Self improvement is a journey. You have to be pleased with yourself and happy along the way. There isn’t a sudden self love switch, and there also isn’t an end point where your relationship with yourself is perfect forever. We are always changing and growing. Find the beauty in the changing, not just the results or outcomes. Accept yourself as you are while still working to get better. Those things are not mutually exclusive! There is nothing wrong with you if you aren’t yet where you want to be.