Action, Momentum = Motivation

"Once I find the motivation I'll get started"

We've all said something close to this to find our motivation to get started and keep going with training.

But here's why this is backward thinking, why motivation is not some magical catalyst. Don't believe me? Science shows that motivation doesn't come from sheer want or will, you can't simply conjure up motivation.

Motivation comes from many factors. 

Extrinsic goals

Intrinsic activators

Planning daily and weekly 

Action

The fundamental catalyst is ACTION!

The act of doing creates momentum and confidence, which generates the feelings and emotions of motivation which is compounded the more we take action. (Visualise a boulder gathering pace downhill, the first step was one push)

How many times have you started a session and thought I don't feel like doing this but as you get going that thought subsided to nothing? Your Action created momentum.

This is why "Just give it 10 minutes" is a good commitment rule. I can't remember the last time I started a session and thought "Nah I don't feel like this" and stopped. Don't get me wrong I may find it emotionally challenging to get it done AKA find each pedal stroke a chore to start with but I always get off the bike feeling accomplished and in higher spirits. Sitting on the sofa never makes you feel like that, quite the opposite. 

Action, Momentum, and Motivation are driven by other factors too.

Entering an event that scares or excites us can keep us true to our word and be part of the incentive to push to stay consistent.

Attaching the value of a rewarding race day medal can add to your drive to stick to your training.

Setting a target goal of climbing Alpe D'Huez or Sa Calobra can supercharge the desire to train and grow as the momentum of ticking sessions off grows your motivation.

The more I think about the word Motivation the more I feel it's not the right word to help us stay focused. Action creates momentum! Momentum drives positive behaviors and Actions (Discipline) which serve us well and make us feel accomplished especially in tough times.

I'll say it again.

Action comes first and builds momentum. This is why we say "Just give it 10 minutes" or adopt the mantra "Do what you can" with the time I have! If you only have 30 minutes of a 60-minute set do 30 minutes. 

Without a doubt, where people fail is to believe that motivation is something they need to find first. 

In 2025 let's focus on ACTION and MOMENTUM and make these words drive MOTIVATION! 

Written by Simon

Founder of VPCC

Sciency stuff on motivation:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352250X15003048

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9340849/

https://www.alexishaselberger.com/news-notes/action-begets-motivation

Thanks for reading

Simon

Founder of VPCC

www.veloperformance.club

Everything good comes downstream of what you do now!