Every once in a while, I sit down and give myself what I like to call a “talking-to.”
These talks are my way of “checking in,” by taking a moment to identify the things that motivate me in life. I then try to intentionally increase motivators that help me be better, and decrease the motivators that make me worse. It’s my way of “taking stock” of my life, and where I’m going.
As I sit here writing this (actually, speaking it into my iPhone — thank you, Siri!), I have very sore hamstrings. My hamstrings are sore because I’ve been training hard with the lovely Eve Crowley from Fitness by Design here in Magnolia. Why am I training hard? Because I’ve been motivated to do so by the Methow Valley Trails Association Winter Triathlon that’s coming up this weekend.
Training for this wintry event has kept me in great shape for the past couple months, and I am giddy with excitement just thinking about the miles of cross-country skiing, running through snowy trails in the woods, and mountain biking on snowy backcountry roads I’ll get to enjoy in the North Cascades: one of the most beautiful places on God’s green (or white, as the case may be) earth. Just thinking about it makes me want to go for a run right now! My motivation trick is working! Weeeeeeee!
As perhaps you can tell from my excitement, having an upcoming race to look forward to motivates me to stay in good shape — and helps me (and my family!) enjoy a full, longer, healthier life.
So: what motivates you? Identify it, schedule it, make it happen! (You know you want to!)
In health,
Josh Penner, D.C.