Finding Motivation from Motivational Quotes
Some days are harder than others. Harder to wake up. Harder to get ready for the day. Harder to be productive. Maybe you’ve felt that way as you’re studying for the bar exam.
For me, this morning, it was harder for me to get on the exercise bike. Yesterday, I had no problems. After staying in a Kentucky hotel for a couple of days because of weather issues that prevented me from getting home safely, I missed riding my bike for a couple of days and, along with that, missed out on logging some miles for a month-long charity challenge I’m doing for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
So yesterday, I had no problems jumping on the bike for a 45-minute ride and adding another 20+ miles to my month-long mileage total. I was excited to be back riding, and I used that adrenaline to pedal through tough parts of the ride.
Today? Oh, boy, what a day makes. It was tough just to get out of bed. When I did get out of bed, my body was sore and achy. An entire list of “to do’s” was staring me in the face. I just didn’t want to ride. I felt completely dehydrated from last night’s meal. There were lots of reasons I could have articulated to justify skipping this morning’s 5:30 am ride.
But I decided to get on the bike anyway. And guess what? Yeah, it sucked. I still felt tired and stiff. My metrics weren’t great. I tried, unsuccessfully, to chase down a 75-year-old man (#mac3995) on the leaderboard.
But I finished 30 minutes later, and I'm glad I did it. I made progress toward my monthly mileage goal of 400 miles for charity, and that’s the important thing. It doesn’t matter that it wasn’t my best ride, because I know that with every ride, I’m getting closer to that goal. And every ride is to be viewed as progress, not perfection.
What helped me through the 30 minutes, when I could have easily just called it quits and crawled back into bed
Riding alongside other riders with whom I’ve become virtual riding partners helps. Receiving the occasional leaderboard “high fives” from them is the IRL equivalent of hands on your back and encouragement to get through the ride.
Reminding myself of why I’m riding helps, too. Aside from its health benefits of cycling (despite that storyline with Mr. Big in “And Just Like That …”), I’m riding this month to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and to help children and their families who are going through very difficult life challenges. The least I can do is get my butt on the bike saddle and peddle to Justin Bieber.
Most importantly, though, one thing that got me through this morning’s ride and helped me put in that extra 10% was going back to the motivational quotes that the instructors have repeated throughout their rides.
Quotes like:
“Inhale the good shit. Exhale the bad shit.” – Matty
“How you do anything is how you do everything.” – Jess S.
“Acknowledge the fear and do it anyway.” – Emma
“Consistency is key.” – Denis
“You didn’t come this far to only get this far.” – Ben
“Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.” – Becs
“Made it through 100% of my bad days.” – Robin
When you study, you might struggle to get motivated. You know you need to get going, but sometimes it’s just so hard to get up and pick up the books.
Think about some motivational quotes that get you going. Sure, BARBRI’s home page to its PSP begins with a different motivational quote each day.
But find your own motivational or inspirational quotes. We all respond and relate to different things. Find quotes that resonate with you and what you’re currently going through. Review them often. Jot them down on pieces of paper and tape them to your laptop or bathroom mirror. Include them on your phone’s home screen.
Make these quotes your daily dose of inspiration and motivation as you begin your day.
