BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Focus on Being not Having

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about something that has most likely happened to many of you reading this today... you've either given up and dumped your New Year's Resolutions or on the verge of doing so. If that's you, or if you're just someone in need of a motivational fix, consider making one small change in your mindset that will have you up and running again. And that one small change is simply switching the type of goal you have from 'having' to 'being.'

Just what do I mean by that you might be asking? Let's first look at what these two words mean so we can better understand their differences and how changing our mindsets can motivate us to complete our current goals and/or create bigger, loftier ones. 

Being: the nature or essence of a person. All the qualities constituting one that exists; the essence: the very being of human nature. One's basic or essential nature: "[My grandfather's] face, words and gestures are a permanent part of my being". 

Having: the state of possessing, owning or holding something. An example of having is the owning of $1,000 in a bank account.

So as you can now see, 'having' something means you could lose it at any time while 'being' something is most likely permanent. Which means when you view a goal as one that will provide benefits both now and in the future rather (a goal to 'be') rather than one that will only benefit you for a short period (a goal to 'have'), you're more likely to see this goal as positive and stick with it. For example... a "have" goal would be exercising so that you can have a better body. A "be" goal would be exercising so that you can be healthier, happier, and more athletic. 

In this scenario, the "have" goal is viewed as less important by our brain because it doesn't help us meet an essential goal that will help us thrive. On the other hand, the "be" goal is viewed as most important because it defines your nature and identity. The "be" goal also helps you develop friendships with like-minded individuals because you share a common identity characteristic to "be" a certain way. A real life example of this would be the Saturday morning running group I'm so blessed to be a part of. In the ten years I've been leading the runs, I've seen countless people drop out after a few months or even a few weeks. They want to "have" all the benefits running gives but don't have the mindset to cross over to the dark side and "be" a runner. The runners who have continued to show up year after year are those people who want to "be" healthy and know that running is one of the best ways to achieve and maintain enhanced physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. 

So there you have it friends. Gaining the motivation to achieve and maintain your goals could be as simple as changing the way you view them. So look at all the ways running can help you "be" your best self today and get out there and make it happen. Happy Running!!!