Motivation as explained in the dictionary is; the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. But if I’ve learned anything so far as I’ve navigated my life over the last few years from college, to jobs, to moving to a new city… motivation can come and go. As much as we would all like to stay motivated, things happen, and life takes us on the roller coaster that it is. That can leave us feeling a lack of motivation; with questions of what’s next, what’s my purpose, what’s my value, etc?
As I began to think about this further, it’s become clear to me that recharging is a vital part of rediscovering motivation and getting back on track to go where we want to go.
When I was younger, a few friends of mine had electric scooters. Anyone that was a young adolescent in a neighborhood full of friends in the early 2000s probably knows what I’m talking about. These quick little scooters were fast (relatively), fun to ride and could zip you from point A to point B faster than your legs could pedal a bike. They were great until the battery ran out. The whine of the little motor would start to sound a little different and the speed would drop dramatically. Then you were left to charge it for what seemed like eternity before you could use it again. That recharge was exactly what the scooter needed to get back to its full potential.
I believe we, as young adults, can have the same thing happen to us. When we start to lose motivation or question purpose and value, sometimes simply stepping back and recharging can give us the boost we need. Think of our brains and bodies as the vessel striving towards accomplishment and success. For the vessel to be most effective and function properly – there needs to be a recharge.
This can look different for each and every one of us. It’s important to discern what works and what doesn’t. For me working out, playing the guitar, reading motivational self/help books, hitting the golf course, hanging with friends or even playing video games can be the recharge my brain and body needs. But I have come to learn that the source of my lack of motivation determines which recharge method I want to use. If my body is lacking motivation… working out may not be the best course of action. If I’m feeling alone or down, it may mean I need to call up a friend and get energized through quality connection. Each of us is going to have a different arsenal of strategies and things that work for us. But being real and honest with what you’re feeling and what you need will allow you to properly recharge.
JP Pokluda in the book Welcome to Adulting talks about a trip to a lake with church friends that shocked his world. Away from the partying and questionable decisions he was making in life he was able to come face to face mentally and spiritually with things that were holding him back. He talks about how he didn’t sleep the night he was there but, in the morning, felt more alive and clearheaded than ever before. See, for him he recast his glare toward Jesus and faith and was able to see more clearly the purpose for his life. This reminds me a verse in Isaiah 40:31 that says, “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”
The beauty of this verse to me is that it doesn’t just have to apply to the spiritual journey. Whether it’s lack of motivation in work, relationships, fitness, etc, taking time to sit back, reflect and discern where you need to go, praying about the lack of motivation, can lead to newfound strength and hope.
It’s not easy and we all have seasons of wondering what now? Or what am I doing? Or simply feeling unmotivated. In those moments, rest, reset, cast your worries on God, allow yourself to recharge. That way, as said earlier; we, the vessel, can become most effective and functional.
WORKOUT
Recharging is so vital to recovery and growth in fitness. If we train fatigued, we will never reach our full potential in our goals. In order to practice recharging in fitness this week will be open for recovery/stretching.
I encourage each of you to use this week to take a walk, maybe some light cardio and get some stretching in. Here is an easy stretching routine to work through this recharge period. Hold each stretch for 10 sec and go through each block 3 times.
Block 1:
- Seated Toe Touches
- Seated Butterfly Stretch
- Knee over Leg Back Stretch (right side)
- Knee over Leg Back Stretch (left side)
Block 2:
- Spider Man Stretch (right leg fwd)
- Spider Man Stretch (left leg fwd)
- Deep Air Squat Hold (wide Stance)
- Standing Toe Touches
Block 3:
- Right Lunge Hold
- Left Lunge Hold
- Right arm Pull across chest
- Left arm pull across chest
Block 4:
- Right arm pull overhead
- Left arm pull overhead
- Downward Dog
- Seal Pose
Hammer and Anvil 