Motivation

As a young guy in college, I have learned two things: it takes motivation AND discipline to get your work done, and that you'll probably never go to bed before midnight...

In all seriousness, obviously these aren't the only things I've learned, but these are the two things that have been at the forefront of my mind. This is just how college is.

Pretty much all throughout my academic career, I've struggled with being motivated. That isn't to say that I didn't get good grades and it isn't to say that I didn't get my work done because I did. What I mean is that it was a GRIND for me to do my reading, get my papers done, and study for tests. I hated having to do school work despite being a good student. Sports were probably the source of the small proactive motivation I did have, but overall, man, was school a drag. I know all of you are probably feeling the same. Sometimes school just isn't fun. Whether you're in middle school just worried about what's for lunch, or high school just trying to fit in, or college just trying to tread water before finals, this post pertains to you.

The whole kick I'm on right now is finding motivation and shedding excess. As I said before, you need motivation and discipline (I sort of feel like Shane from Mulan as I explain this). If you are motivated but have no discipline to execute, your motivation is pointless. If you are disciplined but not motivated to achieve, you won't get much done either.

So how do you find motivation for getting through school? It's simple. Run and take cold showers. It's as easy as that. Now, as a basketball player, I can tell you that I am not promoting running because it's fun. All of my friends are collegiate runners. They put in so much work and log hundreds of miles a month...of straight running. I'm the only person in my circle who hates running. I didn't run until I became friends with these guys and girls. Let me tell you, running is profitable, not because it's enjoyable, but because of the fruit it produces. You can trust me because I'm not encouraging the sport of running because I genuinely like it. It SUCKS. Running is painful and gross and difficult and stupid. But it is also character-building and worthwhile and beneficial in more ways than one. Clearly there are the physical benefits to running. It's great for your heart and cardiovascular system and so on. Even cold showers have physical benefits. They're better for hair and skin and promote longevity.

In my personal experience, I have found more motivation from simply taking cold showers in the morning and running. It doesn't have to be anything crazy either. I started by finishing my hot showers with a cold water rinse and running one mile a day. Eventually, I was able to take 100% cold showers and complete a rigorous running regimen. Now, from just putting these two things into my everyday life, I have found so much more motivation and discipline to get through school (and in general).

Key Point: you have to create goals that are manageable and realistic so start modestly and work up.

I know what you're thinking, "Ew, cold showers? Running? That sounds awful" and you're right. They aren't fun. Nobody builds motivation and discipline from within their comfort zone. No one's character was built by doing only what was "fun" for them. The whole idea is that showering in frigid water makes you do something you don't want to. The purpose of the running is two-fold: 1) It also teaches you do things you don't necessarily want to do. 2) It takes time and in turn makes you decide what takes priority in your life. It might prevent you from doing something you actually really want to do. But if you run, it forces you to decide if you're going to do what is fun or what is beneficial.

The idea behind it is really simple. Abstaining from things you want to do and participating in things you don't want to do teaches motivation and discipline. Something as simple as a cold shower in the morning and an afternoon run can change your life.

Still, this is not me condemning anything fun. You should have fun. Fun is a must. The purpose of these two habits is to develop motivation and discipline: not diminish the enjoyment of life. Live life and live it up. Do what gives you life and while you're in the process of living, throw in some cold showers and put some miles under your feet.