I Should Be Motivated, But I Am Not.

Have you ever thought about what motivates you?   Your brain thinks about it all the time.  There are 3 things that our brains are motivated by: 

1. It loves to seek pleasure.
2. It avoids pain at all costs.
3. It wants to be really efficient.

My brain and I love chocolate.   How does my brain measure chocolate in this motivational triad? Is it pleasurable?  Dumb question.  Would it be painful if I didn't eat it?   My brain thinks so, it would come up with all sorts of dramatic thoughts about how I might actually die if I don't eat chocolate.   Is eating chocolate efficient?  It takes less effort to eat it than to abstain from it. Three votes from my brain so, I eat the chocolate.  

Let's say I want to run a 5k.  When I let my brain in on my plan it starts throwing  a tantrum like a 3 year old on the candy isle at Walmart.  Is training for a 5k pleasurable? Not unless you consider potential torture as pleasure.  Could a 5K be painful?  Um, YES!  Sore muscles, blisters, shin splints, feeling like your heart could jump out of your chest.  As far as efficiency goes, there is nothing about adding extra training, waking up early, or changing your schedule that seems like a good idea to your brain.  Zero votes from your brain on the 5k.

Having the hard conversation with your spouse about what Sundays should look like in the future?  How motivating is that for your brain?  3 strikes my friend.  Not pleasurable, potential emotional pain, and nothing efficient about changing set patterns.  

My brain wants to hang out on Treasure Island like Pinocchio did.  It would be perfectly happy staying put and never progressing as long as it can seek pleasure, avoid pain, and be efficient.  If we wait for our brain to be on board we will never find the best version of ourselves.  Be the boss of your brain.  Take it by the horns and go after your dreams.  I can help you do that.  Here is my email.