← Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

BITESIZE | Understand Your Motivation and Transform Your Life | Ross Edgley #168

Mar 26, 2021 10m 43s 12 insights
We can all harness the power of intrinsic motivation – it can be the reason we get out of bed in the morning, go for that run or push ourselves out of our comfort zone. Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my new weekly podcast for your mind, body and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests. Today’s clip is from episode 73 of the podcast with strongman swimmer and adventurer, Ross Edgley. He’s the first ever swimmer to circumnavigate the whole of Great Britain without ever setting foot on land. This is just one of his extraordinary accomplishments, and in this clip Ross explains what he’s learned about mindset and the power of intrinsic motivation. Ross talks about his epic journey, how he kept going, and why understanding our true motivations can be so powerful. It doesn’t matter where you start, just start somewhere. Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/73 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk
Actionable Insights

1. Prioritize Adherence for Goals

When embarking on a diet or workout plan, prioritize adherence by choosing activities you intrinsically enjoy and can consistently stick to, as consistency is more crucial for results like weight loss than the specific plan itself.

2. Create Infallible Commitments

To overcome self-doubt and mental tricks when pursuing a challenging goal, establish an “infallible law” or an absolute, non-negotiable commitment that defines the only acceptable outcome, rendering excuses irrelevant.

3. Identify Your Core Motivations

Consciously understand whether your motivations for activities are intrinsic (internal, where the process is its own reward) or extrinsic (external, like prize money or social media recognition), as this awareness is a crucial first step.

4. The Social Media Test

To gauge your intrinsic motivation, examine your activities and ask yourself if you would still be happy doing them even if you couldn’t post about them on social media.

5. Utilize Both Motivation Types

Acknowledge and leverage both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations; while it’s acceptable to enjoy external rewards, ensure your actions are also driven by internal reasons for sustained effort.

6. Just Start Your Journey

If you are currently inactive and wish to improve your health, simply begin somewhere, regardless of your starting point or specific activity, even if it’s revisiting a childhood sport.

7. Acknowledge Cognitive Impairment

Be aware that your cognitive clarity can be significantly reduced, akin to that of a five-year-old, when you are sleep-deprived, tired, or have experienced a demanding week.

8. Try AG1 for Gut Health

Consider subscribing to AG1 for daily health support, as it’s a drink containing five strains of gut bacteria and plant-based compounds, and first-time subscribers receive free gifts including a flavor sampler, D3/K2, and a welcome kit.

9. Subscribe to Friday Five

Sign up for the “Friday Five” email at drchastity.com/FridayFive to receive weekly doses of positivity, articles, books, quotes, and research not shared on social media.

10. Share Podcast Episode

Spread positivity and the message by sharing this episode with your friends and family.

11. Listen to Full Episode

For more in-depth content and insights, go back and listen to the full conversation with the guest.

12. Subscribe to Podcast

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