Carrot vs. stick

Quick question for you today…

Which motivates you more:

Running toward something you want (a “carrot”)
OR
Running away from something you want to escape (a “stick”)?

There is no wrong answer!

But it’s worth thinking about, because most of us choose the “carrot” approach to go after things we want.

But working to overcome things we DON’T want can also be a powerful motivator.

Not too long ago I was listening to a podcast with David Goggins, the bestselling author/motivational speaker/endurance athlete/former Navy SEAL/world record holder, etc.

He was talking about how what drives him to go after so many goals isn’t the CARROT

It’s the STICK — e.g., avoiding the consequences of NOT working toward his goals.

Here’s what I’m talking about:

He grew up overweight and out of shape — and he never wants to feel that way again
Growing up, learning was a challenge for him — and he hated how that made him feel.

So now, he uses those feelings to keep pushing himself forward.

For David, it’s not so much about the reward or chasing “good” feelings, as it is about avoiding the consequences and the bad feelings.

Do you have any “sticks” that keep moving you forward?

It’s good to think about because most of us are motivated by a mix of both.

Constantly chasing the “carrot” can cut back on your sense of urgency — and too much “stick” can lead to burnout.

The fact is, your motivation might change from day to day!

This is why it’s so important to keep working on your mindset, the same way you do all the other aspects of your fitness and health.

Rob Quimby, CPT

Owner, Fitness Lifestyle LLC

513-772-4530
www.fitnesslifestylellc.com
fitnesslifestyle67@gmail.com
rob@fitnesslifestylellc.com

Rob is the owner and founder of Fitness Lifestyle Personal Training. He has been training for over thirty-three years; seventeen of those years as a personal trainer helping others reach their goals.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

MORE FROM THE BLOG

This mom has got it going on

This mom has got it going on

The other day I was stopped at a traffic light and looked over at the car next to me. And I saw something that surprised me... The woman behind the wheel was eating a meal out of a Tupperware container. And her kids in the backseat were doing the same thing! No fast...

read more
I don’t do this enough, either…

I don’t do this enough, either…

No one wants to hear this, but making major changes in your health and fitness takes time. That means you probably won’t see results as quickly as you want to. It also means that if you’re serious about achieving your goals, you HAVE to find a way to enjoy the...

read more
It’s time to set some rules…

It’s time to set some rules…

If you don’t have a list of NON-NEGOTIABLES you could be missing out on one of your best tools for staying on track when you find your healthy habits slipping away. Let’s say your schedule suddenly gets crazy. So you grab a takeout meal (or two)… miss a workout… and...

read more