Finding Motivation in the New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE! Wishing you all a prosperous year ahead, particularly in the pursuit of your wellness goals.

The beginning of a new year often brings with it the desire to set new objectives and intentions, which is fantastic... until motivation begins to wane.

To cultivate lasting motivation and take consistent action, it’s essential to first understand the why—the underlying reasons for wanting to make changes in your life. This becomes your motivator, serving as a foundational anchor that propels you forward.

Let’s begin to find your motivation by exploring your why.

FIND YOUR MOTIVATION

At the core of each individual is their why—the personal reasons driving their actions and desires. Your why stems from your heart, shaping your thoughts, which then influence your actions and behaviours. For example, my why for prioritising health is to ensure longevity, allowing me to enjoy activities I love, like moving through life with ease and grace.

As Simon Sinek explains:
"The why is the compelling higher purpose that inspires us and acts as the source of all we do."

Understanding your why clarifies your purpose, especially on days when motivation falters. Since motivation fluctuates, it’s essential to identify what truly matters to you to unlock your potential.

Let’s get started. The first step in any transformation is awareness. Take the time to reflect on the following questions, and journal your responses:

Ask yourself questions like:

• My why or reason for being healthy is...
• My why or reason for creating more balance in my life is...
• My why or reason for working on my strength gains is...
• My why or reason for understanding myself better is...
• Plus, add any other questions that are personal to you.

This practice deepens your understanding of your goals. While motivation initiates change, consistency sustains it. The next step is creating habits—repeated behaviours that become automatic, like brushing your teeth or fastening a seatbelt. For me, exercising and meditating are ingrained habits.

To solidify habits, external systems are key. Writing tasks down and using visual reminders are simple but effective. Here are a few practical habit hacks to get started.

1. Make It Visible

To stay on track, make your habit visible. For example, my goal is to drink more water. Rather than relying on memory, I built a new habit: whenever I make my morning coffee, I fill my water bottle immediately and aim to finish it by mid-morning, repeating the process throughout the day. By the evening, I’ve met my water goal, and the process feels effortless. What habit could you make visible to improve?

2. Eliminate Temptations

Remove distractions from your environment. If you're trying to reduce phone usage, leave it in another room. These small adjustments make a significant difference. What can you eliminate to stay focused?

3. Track Your Progress

We are all motivated by progress. Tracking progress keeps you motivated. Use a calendar or system to mark each successful day. Research indicates that tracking progress increases the likelihood of maintaining momentum. How will you track your progress?

4. Create A Plan

“Failing to plan is planning to fail.” It’s essential to have a clear plan, as well as backup plans for when life gets in the way. For me, having a visual representation of my plan helps manage overwhelm, especially since I have a tendency to overcommit. Writing my plan out and seeing it helps maintain focus. What will your plan look like?

Lastly, hold yourself accountable. Share your goals with a friend or colleague—perhaps they’ll join you in making changes. Building a supportive community can provide an additional layer of motivation, as we’ve seen with the strength of our Virgin Active community.