Logic is a bad motivator, do not use it.

Many people want to do things in life like exercise, eat healthy, do hard work, etc. When trying to do these things, one may invoke the logical mind and say to themselves ‘I should do this because ____.’ When there is a should, there is almost always a but.

I should go for a run…. but I’m too tired.

I should eat this salad… but I want pizza.

I should study for my test… but I want to play games instead.

We have this idea that if something makes logical sense, we should do it, and if it doesn’t, we should not. We know a lot of the things we SHOULD do. If you are able to do everything you should logically do, then you are quite a blessed individual. If others had that same drive, surely everything that should be and could be done, done would happen.

Why don’t we do things we should do?

Logic can be good for knowing what path to take, but is a horrible motivator.

Why dont we choose the but’s over the should’s? Because we want to do what feels good.

Why pizza over salad? Pizza likely tastes better to you. It feels better to make that decision. It doesn't mean it’s the better decision, but it feels like it to the mind. Even if you chose the salad, your mind may go ‘That sucked, I’ll remember that.’ It will take more effort from you to make the ‘right’ decision, especially when you are tired and used too much willpower prior.

Well then, this begs the question:

How does one motivate themself to do something if using logic doesn’t work?

The answer is simple. You need to use something else. You need to use your emotions.

There are many options that will be available to you. When deciding which one you pick, see it through to the end. Why make a decision at all? I may ask myself: Will I take the stairs instead of the elevator? Well, I should because the stairs are better for me… but I dont feel like it and I’m tired. My should wasn’t good enough. I have no energy to do it. It won’t work.

I personally take the stairs as often as possible. How am i able to get myself to do this? I have a better reason than a should. As I get older I want to be able to walk up the stairs and carry groceries for my family. If I don’t take the stairs today, then the day I will not be able to anymore may come sooner. I want to strengthen my physical body to be able to do things that are important to me. This is my reason.

I don’t think to myself ‘i really should take the stairs…’ because this leaves room for a but. This requires much will power. Even if it is physically effortful for me to do so, I WANT to take the stairs because it is something I must do to achieve something deeply important to me. The first few times doing it, it may require some physical and mental effort to do so. It’s not automatic effortless, but when you are doing it because you actually want to, you get emotional energy to do so. For me now, It doesn’t take any mental effort for me to take the stairs even if I am tired. It’s just what I do, and I do what it important to me.

Make your decisions in life based on what you truly want, not based on what you should do. If you need help with this, you may comment below or message me directly. Please ask questions if you have them.

You will live well, and I love you.

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