How to Spark Motivation for Sports and Exercise

Let's face it, sometimes the will to play simply isn't there. But before you chalk it up to laziness, consider the reasons behind your lack of motivation. You might be surprised to find that there's a perfectly valid reason you aren't feeling the need to pursue sports or exercise.

Understanding Lack of Motivation

Your first instinct might be to force yourself to get out there and do it. However, according to sports and exercise experts, this isn't always the best approach. As John Miller puts it, forcing yourself to do something you don't want to can lead to frustration, and even injury.

"The worst-case scenario is that you're so unbothered to practice properly that it leads to an injury," he notes. "It's called 'going through the motions'. I watched a kid's career end with a torn knee ligament that way."

Even if you're not injured, "you make a lousy practice partner" when you aren't motivated. Your team will suffer when you're not giving it your best effort.

But it's important to remember that motivation to play sports isn't a one-size-fits-all scenario. It's not a rite of passage or something everyone needs to go through. Motivation is about finding something you genuinely enjoy and that brings you satisfaction. If you're not feeling it, then perhaps sports and exercise aren't the right fit for you.

Discovering Your Passion

If you really want to get moved, look for something that truly lights a fire under you. Is there something else you love to do? Perhaps it's acting, painting, or even quiz bowl. Finding an activity that brings you joy and a sense of fulfillment is key.

"Find something that already motivates you," suggests John Miller. "You'll be much happier in the long run."

Developing Your Motivation Muscle

Motivation is a muscle that needs to be exercised. As John Miller points out, you can't motivate yourself to do something without first doing it. Once you start the activity, you'll likely begin to feel more motivated. Steve Mascari echoes this sentiment, stating that finding a reason to play sports, even if it feels forced at first, can be beneficial.

"You would have to find a reason to play sports even though you don't want to," he explains. "It is hard for me to imagine what reason might make sense to you. Even if you did end up playing them, what would be the point?"

Creating Goals and Focusing on Progress

Habits such as goal-setting can also help you stay motivated. Having clear goals and working towards them can give you a sense of purpose and help you stay engaged.

"Have goals and reach them," advises John Miller. "If you don't enjoy what you're doing, then you won't want to stick with it. If you don't have goals to reach, you'll never be moving forward."

Posture as a Motivational Tool

A simple physical change can also influence your mindset and motivation. Research has shown that your posture can significantly impact your thoughts and feelings.

"One thing I found in my time when I lost motivation is a change in my posture," John Miller explains. "Be aware of how you are sitting. Manipulate your body into what you think someone that is tired and out of energy would look like. Then, change your posture to someone you would think is motivated; full of energy and ready to go at whatever comes. Take note of this as well and how you feel just by being in that posture. When you are in that posture, ask yourself do you want to play a sport or exercise. You'll be very surprised at how your motivation is influenced by something as simple as your posture!"

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you're lacking motivation for sports and exercise, don't force it. Instead, find what genuinely motivates you, set clear goals, and use simple tricks like posture to nudge yourself in the right direction. Remember, motivation is a muscle that needs to be exercised, and you'll likely find that once you start, you'll start to feel more engaged and inspired.