Finding Motivation During Tough Times: Embracing the Grind
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Staying Motivated
On the journey toward any goal, we inevitably encounter the most challenging phase. This is the period when our motivation dips significantly, even as our efforts peak, leaving us uncertain about how to push through. At this critical juncture, the temptation to give up is strongest, and feelings of doubt can overwhelm us. Yet, this is precisely when we are closest to experiencing the substantial rewards that come from persevering. I refer to this phase as "the grind."
Chapter 1.1: The Grind in Gaming
Grinding is a familiar concept in many video games. For instance, I spent countless hours playing Terraria, and I could substitute it with any RPG you might recognize. During the summer of 2020, I teamed up with my friend Alejandro, and we often found ourselves investing significant time to acquire better gear, weapons, or tools to advance in the game. We would repeatedly tackle bosses like The Eye of Cthulhu, painstakingly mine for resources, and brew potions. However, once we overcame this grind, we could defeat the next boss and elevate our power levels.
In real life, many pursuits of goals and skill enhancements mirror this experience. The key difference is that in gaming, players willingly engage in grinding and often find joy in it, whereas in reality, we frequently feel the urge to quit. Video games can teach us valuable lessons about enduring through tough times. Here are five insights that I find particularly helpful.
Video Description: This video offers a motivational pep talk for athletes experiencing a slump, highlighting the importance of perseverance and mindset.
Chapter 1.2: Applying Gaming Insights to Real Life
As I navigate my current goal of reaching 165 pounds, it's essential to apply these insights. Everyone can relate to the struggle of starting a diet only to be tempted by their grandmother's cooking, leading to a prolonged hiatus. Dieting can be challenging, making it a perfect context for applying our gaming-derived insights.
Insight 1: Remember Your Reasons for Starting I recently attended a dinner hosted by my friend Joaquin's Christian Union. Unsure of the menu, I hoped for a protein-rich dish. However, when I saw chicken pot pie—a high-carb option—I felt a pang of apprehension. The aroma was divine, and the warm atmosphere, filled with laughter, tempted me further. In moments like this, adhering to our goals can feel incredibly tough.
Fortunately, video games remind us to clarify our motivations. RPGs often feature a quest log that breaks down larger objectives into manageable tasks, allowing players to track their progress and connect emotionally with their journey. In real life, we can adopt a similar approach by recalling the reasons behind our goals when faced with obstacles.
For instance, when I began my cutting journey, I noted down my motivations: enhancing my resistance training, improving my relationship with food, and of course, looking better. By reminding myself of these factors in tempting situations, like at that chicken pot pie dinner, I managed to enjoy the moment without overindulging.
Insight 2: Acknowledge the Middle Phase The toughest part of any goal is often the middle, where the initial excitement has faded but the end is still distant. Currently, I find myself in the middle of my cutting journey, and it’s not particularly enjoyable.
Video games help players navigate this phase by introducing adjustments such as lowering difficulty or providing unexpected rewards. In real life, we can anticipate this grind and prepare accordingly. I chose to spend this phase at my parents' home, where healthful eating is the norm. Surrounded by their high health standards, even on off days, I find it easy to stay on track with my goals.
Insight 3: Collaborate with Others Many games encourage players to tackle challenges together. In my case, I’m cutting weight alongside my brother. We share our experiences and support each other through humorous anecdotes, which helps lighten the mood during tough moments.
Insight 4: Diversify Your Focus Video games often feature main quests alongside side quests. If I feel stuck on the main path, I shift my attention to side quests for a break. In my cutting journey, I’ve been honing my pixel art skills, which provides a refreshing diversion and keeps me motivated.
Insight 5: Move Beyond Motivation The final insight is a bit of a catch-22. While video games are inherently enjoyable and don't typically suffer from motivational issues, there are times in life when motivation is lacking. When this happens, the best course of action is to take action regardless.
Action breeds motivation. Many times, I’ve found that by committing to just five minutes of an activity, I end up fully engaging. This principle stems from discipline, passion, and habit. Discipline is about doing what needs to be done, even when you don't feel like it. Passion is about loving the process itself, while habits reduce the reliance on motivation.
If you can implement these five insights, you'll likely find yourself better equipped to navigate your own grind and enjoy the rewards that await on the other side.
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Video Description: This video emphasizes the importance of grinding in silence and focusing on personal goals without seeking external validation.