Real keys to peak performance (motivation)

Peak performance (or motivation) is a hot topic these days. People often contact me for motivation which is fascinating because I wonder how they were able to contact me with no motivation. If you know you need to do something then you are realizing you are already motivated.

Do what you really want to in a way that is comfortable. By really want too I mean the underlying positive that you are being drawn too. Interesting, invigorating, fascinating, supportive, relaxing, enjoyable all equal comfortable. I simply can't stress this enough. Work sucks. Turn work into play by doing what you really want to do. There are so many ways to exercise and physical things to do as just one example of what people are looking for motivation to do.

Earlier I was only using the example of losing weight as just an example. The principles are the same for anything. What do you want? - better job, more satisfaction from your significant other? More free time? Better friends? Pick what you are after and read this article that way.

This is probably one of the most profound insights I've ever found in motivation. People are already motivated (or you would be dead) is another way to look at it.

Questions are your most powerful tool. These are questions you ask yourself not necessarily of others.

On one end: Where do you want to be? How do you want to get there? Get a plan that will work. On the other end: what is it costing you? How does it hurt? Involve both sides to motivation (pleasure and pain) in a constructive, healthy, responsible, and appropriate way. Finding this pleasure/pain balance for yourself is the most tricky part.

Some people like to work out by themselves (to keep with the physical exercise example) while others see that as torture and pain. Maybe just making a commitment to show up to the front desk of a gym would be enough for you to do? Then have the front desk clerk learn to recognize you and entice you into the gym or have your trainer come get you. I don't really know here because I don't know you but I think you get the idea. I am just picking out random things to illustrate different points.

Aside from working out is eating healthy. That seems to be about 90% of losing weight if this is part of what you want. This is a completely different thing. If losing weight is more important than getting in shape then just forget about exercise for now. Truly. Just forget it. Focus everything on enjoying some kind of healthy food. Learn to cook naked in the kitchen with your girlfriend? I have no idea. Wait, that is a bad idea because of hot splashes. (Are you getting the idea here?) Find something that interests you. Explore. Explore. Explore. Then have fun by exploring some more.

As far as goals in general - you have to tie rewards to the level of goal you achieve:
A small goal = a small reward
A medium goal = a medium reward
A large goal = a large reward

Too large a reward for a small goal means, "You are done" to yourself. Too small a reward for a large goal means, "You won't ever make it" to yourself. Take care of yourself.

Now look at what is getting in your way of where you want to be. Embarrassment? Lack of friends? Depression? Money? Boredom? Opportunity? (too busy) What is it? This is the introspective look at getting in shape. These are the road blocks. Here is a short little cartoon I found that can get you started here>
What gets you out of bed in the morning on the weekends? I suggest using some version of that to get started. Then, why do you finally go to bed on the weekends? And add that as well. Trust me, eventually if you keep tinkering around to find how you are already motivated you will find it. This is the key. Once you find this you can turn up the volume. Without knowing how you are already motivated turning up the volume by trying to motivate yourself is a waste of time. So many wonderfully interesting ways to get into "shape". Have some fun. Try different things. When it clicks and you hit home - gold. You never go back. You are in shape and enjoy it.