Motivation Versus Follow-Through

“Motivation is in the mind; follow-through is in the practice. Motivation is conceptual; follow-through is practical. In fact, the solution to a motivation problem is the exact opposite of the solution to a follow through problem. The mind is essential to motivation. But with follow through, it’s the mind that gets in the way.

We’ve all experienced our mind sabotaging our aspirations. We decide to go to the gym after work but then, when it comes time to go, we think, It’s late, I’m tired, maybe I’ll skip it today. We decide we need to be more supportive of our employees, but then, when someone makes a mistake, we think, If I don’t make a big deal about this, he’s going to do it again. We decide we need to speak more in meetings but then, when we’re sitting in the meeting, we think, I’m not sure what I’m going to say really adds value.

Here’s the key: if you want to follow through on something, stop thinking. Shut down the conversation that goes on in your head before it starts. Don’t take the bait. Stop arguing with yourself.
Make a very specific decision about something you want to do and don’t question it. Be very specific, By then, when your mind starts to argue with you — and I guarantee it will — ignore it. You’re smarter than your mind. You can see right through it.”

A few trick’s (edited from the from the article)

“1- Create an environment that supports your (……..) goals
2- It’s harder to argue against your accountability to another person.
3- Decide when and where you’re going to ……..
4- Realize that the follow-through challenge will only last a few seconds.
5- Discipline will be useful for the first week as you get back into ………….. But after that, momentum will take over and the pleasure of feeling more …… will quiet the internal chatter From ”

From “Your Problem Isn’t Motivation” by Peter Bregman