Finding a Vision
Once you've sparked a little motivation to get going on your own or have been encouraged by others, you need to nurture this motivation in order for it to stay alive and well. If you're someone who has already started exercising or has started and failed, what I'm about to say can help you to get motivated again. It all starts with vision...you have to know where you are going.
Everything starts with a vision. Some may go as far as calling it a dream. It's your ability to see something you want to achieve that may be just out of reach. An old Japanese proverb says: "Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare." In order to be successful with your action (starting an exercise program), you need to have a vision.
Ask yourself what you want to accomplish by exercising. Do you want to lose weight? Get stronger? Build endurance? Have more energy? Look and feel good? Compete in an athletic event? The list is endless. If you can't seem to get started with exercise or have failed time and time again, you need to set a clear, concise vision that allows you to look forward to the future. Vince Lombardi, Jr. says, "Vision is a future reality yet to come into existence."
I know many people set what they call "goals," and do so in such a light manner that it really doesn't mean much. Even those who exercise consistently can stray from their efforts when a clear vision of what they are exercising for isn't identified. It's something that you need to make so real that you can see, smell, taste and touch it in your mind.
Let's look at two ways a vision can encourage you to be motivated for exercise.
