ActionPodcast » remember

Still Struggling With Motivation?

Paul — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:36:08 +0000

During a recent podcast with Gina, we talked about getting back into an exercise routine and going back to the gym. It was something that I’m very familiar with, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to give you a quick progress update.

I’ve now been going back to the gym for 3 weeks, 4-5 times a week. I’ve discovered that if I just go to the gym 2-3 times a week my days off become too tempting for me to have “just another” day off. Always promising myself “I’ll go tomorrow!”, which of course I ended up repeating the next day, until every shred of motivation had been stripped away.

So my first trick is to go every day. Even if it’s only for 30-45 minutes.

After a few days of this routine, or especially after a nice relaxing and rather over indulgent weekend, I would find Mondays a bit of a struggle. So this time I ended up allowing myself to reel off all the excuses of why I didn’t need to go today… but while I was actually getting ready and walking out of the door!

It was a bit like when you see a mother trying to put a coat on a petulant child. The child loudly protests and gives all the reasons why she doesn’t want, or need to wear her coat. However, when the mother humorously just agrees with her daughter, the child allows her to put it on.

During my own wrestle with my inner voice – while getting dressed for the gym – I managed to come up with the following excuses:

It’s very early
I’m still tired
Maybe I’m hungover
I might be ill
I can take a day off
I can go tomorrow
Maybe I could go later
Oh, I don’t have my iPod I will definitely have to go back home
If I go back home I may as well stay there, it’s not worth it…

I was actually about 10 paces out of my front door by the time the iPod excuse was thrown in. But I didn’t turn around, I just kept marching my petulant child (my inner voice) off to the gym.

The great thing about this technique is that you end up building your motivation by doing what you really want to do, despite all the de-motivating self-talk. The following day, my motivation had returned to almost full strength. By today (Wednesday) I had no problem what-so-ever!

Remember, it’s ACTION that promotes MOTIVATION, not in-action.

Using Social Networking Groups

Paul — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:07:39 +0000

Both Gina and Paul have recently been doing the rounds in networking groups. These are local groups of people that meet up in our area to share business ideas and network. Some of the groups we tried were:-

You can also find many groups using the website Meetup.com. That is where we have our very own ActionPodcast Meetup Group.

In today’s podcast we talk about our own experiences with these groups, what went well, and an example of how not to network!

If you have downloaded the podcast from iTunes remember to post a review and visit our website at ActionPodcast.com to leave a comment or contact one of the presenters directly. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the podcast directly to your inbox, plus an additional weekly blog post!

When You Just Can’t Remember…

Sam — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:35:08 +0000

Last week Paul & Sam had to skip their usual podcasting date, as Sam’s wireless connection picked that night to go on strike! Instead of totally skipping it, the time was used for a phone call to discuss the exciting idea for a topic Sam had thought of, as well as to update each other on current challenges.

This week, technology was on best-behaviour. But neither Sam nor Paul could remember the topic they’d been planning to podcast about! What happens when you just can’t remember…?!

Paul: So Sam, do you have any ideas for a topic tonight?

Sam: Um, didn’t we have one last week that we discussed and got really excited about?

Paul: Oh, yeah! We did speak about something… but I can’t remember what it was. I’ll check my notes…

Sam: Hmm. I can’t remember either – I just know it was going to be a good one! Maybe I sent you an email about it…?

Both: Nope – absolutely nothing written down or sent. Can’t remember! Oh well, let’s just have a chat anyway.

Paul: So how was your week?

Sam: It’s been good…. It’s strange, but when you let things go it creates space for the universe to provide solutions and opportunities.

Paul: That’s so true…. One of my meditation books suggests asking the universe for something, without harm to others.

Sam: I really like that. It reminds me of the ‘be careful what you wish for’ idea. I wouldn’t want to get what I’m asking for at a cost to someone else. I like to pray with gratitude, and to trust that everything happens for a reason. If it’s meant to be it will be.

Both: .

Paul: Yeah, it takes you out of the victim mode; helps you realise you have choices/options…

Sam: That was it!! Our topic! We’ve come full circle – and after surrendering our lost topic idea, it has returned to us 30mins later! How amazing is that?!

Stay tuned for the rediscovered topic when Paul & Sam get recording next…