The Motivation Mirage: A Personal Odyssey

Published on September 23rd, 2023 by Cem Hurturk

I've got a tale to share, a tale that's been 2.5 years in the making. It's a tale that's shifted my perspective on motivation and self-discipline.

You know, I used to be like a lot of folks. I believed in motivation. I thought if I could just summon enough of it, I could conquer anything. But I've come to see that motivation is a myth. It's a mirage that keeps us in a holding pattern, waiting, hoping, and ultimately, stuck in place.

My story starts when I was feeling less than my best. I knew I needed to hit the gym, but I kept waiting for that elusive spark of motivation to ignite. It never did. The gym was a bustling place, and I wasn't a fan. But one day, I decided to stop waiting and start moving.

I set a purpose for myself, a purpose that sparked excitement in me. I wanted to be a strong 80-year-old. To make this vision more real, I used AI to create a picture of my 80-year-old self, fit and strong. This image became my daily nudge, my reminder of why I was pushing my limits. I realized that as we age, health trumps wealth. And a strong body, with robust muscle and bone mass, is the cornerstone of good health.

Each morning, I'd wake up and mull over my purpose. Then, I'd spring into action. I joined a gym, enlisted a personal trainer, and started working out thrice a week. It was a struggle. My body fought back, my mind protested, but I soldiered on. I wasn't motivated, but I was disciplined.

As time rolled on, something remarkable happened. I began to relish my gym visits. I upped my workouts to five, then six days a week. Some days, I'd spend a good three hours at the gym, pumping iron, doing cardio, and conditioning workouts. I reveled in watching my body grow stronger. But was I motivated? Nope. There were days when I wanted to give the gym a miss, but I'd remind myself of my purpose and soldier on. That, my friends, is the essence of self-discipline.

Fast forward to today, I've shed 10kg fat mass, my VO2/max has shot up, and I can lift heavier weights and power through intense cardio workouts. All this was possible not because of motivation, but because of a clear purpose and self-discipline.

Lay a strong foundation and then wait for the right time and right block 😉

I've always been a fan of playing the long game. Quick wins can be gratifying, but they're often fleeting. I prefer to build slowly, steadily, like a game of Tetris. I patiently place each block, confident that the right piece will eventually come along and clear the board. This approach has served me well in my fitness journey. It's not about instant gratification, but about laying a strong foundation for long-term success.

So, here's the takeaway from my 2.5-year odyssey: motivation is a myth. Instead, find a purpose that lights a fire in you, visualize it every day, and spring into action. Be disciplined. You're more capable than you think.

Remember, you don't need motivation to start. You just need to start. And once you do, you'll discover that you're stronger, more resilient, and more capable than you ever imagined. So, stop waiting for motivation. Set a purpose, be disciplined, and embark on your journey today. Play the long game, and you'll reap the rewards in the end.