A Dose of Inspiration and Motivation

A Dose of Inspiration & Motivation

by Bill Crimi – July, 2010

Inspire: Inspirit; breathe; take in breath…

Motivate: To provide with a motive: Actuate

     If your training has resulted in little or no gain lately, you probably need a good dose of inspiration and motivation. Although these words are actually synonymous, they sometimes take on slightly different meaning in our culture. The word inspire has roots within the word, inspirit. It also means to breathe…to take in breath. In effect, when we have lost our inspiration, we have somehow become at least detached from our spirit,  limiting our breath, and weakening our life sustaining energy.

     It sounds kind of supernatural in a way, doesn’t it? Well… maybe it is. Most great achievers have made reference to a seemingly invisible force taking them over when they are in the so-called, zone, or groove. Athletes, artists, musicians all speak of “getting and staying in the zone.” This zone is the place they attribute to having accomplished their greatest feats. As a bodybuilder, or power-lifter, we also come to recognize this zone of inspirational, performance. There are times when in training or competing, we suddenly feel a sense of being ‘there’ seemingly in perfect harmony with ourselves, our environment and the weight at hand…Like a spirit taking over us…we are inspirit, inspired…and everything seems to go just right, smoother and easier. The weight in our hands seem somewhat lighter at times like this. Our mental focus is running at a hundred percent, and suddenly our rep range surpasses that which we have achieved in recent workouts. Often, it is in these moments of clarity and connection to spirit that we actually far exceed past performance.

 

     Once we have found this type of inspiration, it may be hard to fully grasp and hold onto. For most, it seems to come and go, remaining frustratingly elusive. But, if we recognize what triggers it within ourselves, we can be more successful in summoning up that inspiring power at will. Learning to tune into it makes the difference between a super-performer as apposed to a performer. It is what separates out the super-star athlete, from the average. Connecting with your inner power, brings you into a state of being outside the limiting confines of ego. Ego is simply the awareness of ‘self’, what you think you are, or think you look like to others…often enough…not what you are at all. With your attention to ego, you are immediately more vulnerable to self-doubt, anxiety and ultimate failure. When you tune out the loud, hindering voice of the ego, you are then able to hear the strong, encouraging whisper of your soul. It is then that you will be in-spirit, inspired…and free to accomplish or exceed your goal.

“Inspiration and genius—one and the same.” Victor Hugo

     As much as we need a steady dose of inspiration and motivation, so do we need a steady dose of nutritional supplements on a regular basis for peak performance. Motivation is the activating spark which ignites a flame within us. It can be a thought, a dream, something greeting our eyes, a sound, a word, or touch…many things. Most of us were first motivated to train for mass at the sight of a bodybuilder sporting massive, muscular proportions. Without that experience, how would we know such mass was humanly possible? What would there be to strive for physically? A lot less muscle, that’s for sure. So, to help motivate us towards our goal, it seems a wise thing to regularly pick up those bodybuilding magazines and remind ourselves of  the possibilities by gazing at photos of the pros. We should go to sites like bodybuilding.com on a regular basis, become a BodySpace member and delve into the vast resources available there to help us stay motivated.

     In my off time, I find it very motivating to watch a few workout videos, or interviews with professional, and advanced bodybuilders. YouTube is a great place to find such videos. Better yet, watch them at BodyBuilding.com, so that you can also read inspirational stories, ideas and articles from contributors. Track your progress on BodySpace pages, and share with other members as well. Join some interesting BodyGroups; enjoining with like minded people throughout the world. All of these things help.

     Another motivating and inspiring thing to practice is to review your past, when you are faltering. Remember what got you started, or re-started on a path towards ultimate health and fitness. Were you bullied as a young person then noticed how as your muscles grew, so did peoples respect for you? It certainly happened to me in my younger days. I seemed to be always battling someone for honor and respect with my skinny arms, but when the guns started growing…nobody picked fights with me anymore. Even as an adult, I have noticed that I get a lot more respect in the Spring and Summer, than I do in Fall and Winter when the heavy clothing hides my physique. The more muscle you have, showing, the more people will leave you at peace. Now, that’s motivating enough for me…especially living in the city. I don’t always have to be on point while walking the streets, and of course I’m more confident with any confrontations that might arise.

     Motivation can come from the most unexpected sources sometimes, completely separate from our specific path. When we are feeling down on ourselves, bemoaning everybody and everything, we might catch a glimpse of inspiration in the eye of a handicapped child, for instance. The child might have leg braces on both limbs, scurrying along, happily in flight on crutches with a twinkle in their eye. In such an instance, it might give pause to our own self-induced suffering, and self-pity enough to snap out of it, allowing us to re-capture a clearer frame of mind. With a cleared mind, we are then able to focus once again on our dream, bringing us a step closer to fulfillment.

     Inspiration and motivation can also be found by not just pursuing something simply for the benefit of ourselves. Unless you are psychotic, or super self-centered, attempting to achieve something of value only for yourself, can easily cumulate in empty, lonely failure. Imagine having great health, wealth and fame, but nobody to celebrate it with. That is when fame becomes infamous…it is when you are known, but not liked. It is when you will eventually become “that guy” in the “What ever happened to that guy…you know…the one who used to be…” the one nobody can remember your name. Doing for the sole purpose of self (ego) is not a very motivating factor, for most of us, when the ego is at work, inspiration becomes elusive.

     In closing, I encourage you to re-think who you think you are, and discover who you really are by tuning into the power of the universe…the grand, ultimate power which beckons for you to recognize and attach to. With ego, you are limited to mere, earthy, mortal accomplishments, but as ego dissipates…and you harness the power of your immortal spirit, you exist within a universe devoid of limitations.