Why motivation isn’t enough

One of my biggest and most successful achievements that I set out to complete happened back in 2002. Having been in the military for 3 years, I was determined to become a member of a small unit tasked with underwater and surface  mine clearance, body recovery, underwater salvage and the occasional crayfish dive. 

The Navy Operational Dive team had a reputation as an elite group willing to do whatever it took to get sh%t done.

The retention rate for new recruits during the training phase was notoriously high. Come hell or high water, I wasn’t going to drop off.

I survived the gruelling 6-month training course… just.

Now, the reason I use this experience is not to blow my own trumpet, but rather to share an experience and lesson that, in all honesty, has eluded me for some time. 

On day one, as a young and eager 20 year old, I walked into that environment high on motivation, unstoppable…. bulletproof.

By about day 3 of 180, that motivation was dissipating, fast! 

Course numbers were dwindling,  mental games were taking a serious toll, and we were basically participating in 8 hours of intense physical training every day. 

I was now questioning my decision as a willing participant!

I distinctly remember the night sweats and this somewhat terrifying and uncomfortable feeling every morning. “Here we go again”

While motivation was a powerful tool, it came and went daily. There are days where my motivation completely deserted me. If I was to rely on motivation alone, I wouldn’t make it through. 

Enter, Consistency.

What I learned is that if I just remained consistent for those 180 days, if I just kept turning up one day at a time, one more early morning, one training session at a time session at a time, one dive at a time. Eventually, I would get to where I needed to be.

Yes, there was an underlying requirement for having the motivation to finish the course, but it was a ruthless focus on getting through one day at a time that got me to where I wanted to be. 

So, how could you apply that to your life?

If you want to be fit and healthy, consistently workout, consistently eat well, consistently hydrate.

If you want to start your own business, or continue to grow your business, work on it consistently, ruthlessly focus on the shit that will get it done.

If you want to change careers and it requires applying some sort of studying, get started and just remain consistent.

Don’t let yourself be distracted, don’t question your ability, don’t f’n stop

Be consistent.