How do you make sure you are always motivated to train? In this video lesson I talk about motivation and how to keep it. It is for martial artists, boxers and self-defence students who find their enthusiasm comes and goes, which is almost everyone.

Motivation Is Not Constant

Nobody feels motivated every day. Even people who have trained for decades have days when they would rather do something else. The difference is that experienced people do not rely on feeling motivated. They have built habits and reasons that get them training anyway.

So the first step is to stop waiting for motivation to appear. Often it turns up after you start, not before.

Know Why You Train

Your reason for training is the foundation. It might be to protect yourself and your family, to compete, to stay healthy as you get older, or simply because you love it. Whatever it is, be clear about it. When the reason is strong, missing a session feels wrong.

If you have lost track of your reason, take time to find it again, or to find a new one.

Practical Ways To Stay Motivated

A few things that work for a lot of people:

  • Set clear goals, both short-term and long-term
  • Track progress, so you can see how far you have come
  • Keep a fixed schedule, so training is a habit, not a decision
  • Train with others, because good partners pull you along
  • Vary your training, so it stays interesting
  • Learn something new, because curiosity is a great motivator

When It Really Is Not There

Some days the best thing is a short, easy session rather than nothing. Ten minutes of shadowboxing keeps the habit alive. If motivation has gone for a long time, ask whether you are overtrained, bored or injured, and deal with the real cause.

Take It Further

Learning something new is one of the best ways to reignite your training. Start with the FREE Pressure Point Fighting Mini-Course, or come and train with me at one of my Training Camps.