How I Find My Motivation

September 10, 2013 Annie 153 Comments

I had the most incredibly awesome thing happen to me recently. I went to a Saturday CrossFit class last week…I normally go to the 6am class during the week, so I don’t see a lot of the other members of the box on a regular basis…or ever for that matter. So, there we were, getting set up for the WOD and this chick that I had never met comes to set up for the workout across from me. I helped her set her gear up, which was a bunch of stuff since we were doing “F.R.E.A.K.s“.

So, here comes the kicker…as we got into the workout, she asked “are you Annie??” Obviously, I said “yes” and then she went on to say that she thought so, based on the way I was working out…she said “I always see your times on the board from the early class and try to keep up, but it never happens! You’re an animal!!” I couldn’t believe it! Here was this cute, young, in-shape girl that was using me as a source of motivation! Seriously, that’s the best compliment I think I’ve ever had in my life!!!

Finding My Motivation

So, what did I take away from this? That we all have to find our motivation somewhere, and each one of us can be somebody else’s motivation without even knowing it!

I’m my own worst critic…I’m hard on myself…I question myself a lot…and even though it may not seem this way from the outside, I don’t have a lot of true self-confidence. I’ve learned how to act like I do over the years, and that skill usually serves me well, except when I forget to use it (ironic, isn’t it?). So, the fact that by doing what I do, and just being me, I was the source of motivation for somebody is the most uplifting and encouraging thing I’ve experienced in a very long time!

I think that’s one of the things about CrossFit that is so addictive; the sense of community and support. I can head down at 5:45am, all unkempt, get greeted by my trainer, my other early morning warriors, and work my ass off and know I’ll be back to do it again as soon as I can. There’s nothing else to worry about when I’m lifting or going through the workout except my own accomplishments. I often feel selfish for going…leaving my hard-working husband at home to get the baby up and fed while I’m getting my workout in, but then again, I know by going I can be better for both of them!

So, what’s my motivation? It’s a lot of things, depending on the day. It’s feeling strong and in shape and capable. It’s wanting to feel like my husband finds me attractive. It’s showing my son that his mom is active, strong, and healthy. It’s proving to myself that I can work hard at something and see results. It’s going to my CF box and spending time with people that don’t think my pink knee-hi socks look funny. It’s knowing that somebody out there is trying to push themselves to beat my time!

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to finding your motivation. The fact that you very well could be somebody else’s motivation and not even know it should be a source in of itself.

What’s your motivation???