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The easiest thing to do is to start. In the beginning you’re motivated, eager and can’t wait for the change of lifestyle. You’re interested and soaking up knowledge while reading books and blogs. In the first few days and weeks the rapid progress keeps you going and motivated. And then, as Seth Godin has branded it, The Dip happens. The Dip is the part where it’s not new anymore and where the rapid and easy progress you were booking is taking more time and getting more difficult. You must invest a lot more hours to get the same increase in skill… and that sucks.

This is also the part where most people quit. After the initial burst of enthusiasm and skill they get bored and realize that the easy part is over. The fun part is over and it’s very temping to call it a day. The smart thing however is to stick (if you have choosen the right art to master) and to make change happen.

Now the good part: now you know that this moment is coming. The Big Bad Dip is looking for you. So be ready and when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Read on to find how you can ‘easily’ cross The Dip.

As stated before in 6 Reasons To Take It Slow On A New Adventure, one of the most essential steps, if not the most important, in completing your goals is to stay motivated during the process. If you want to enjoy honing your skills and reaching your goals you’ve got to stay motivated.

Motivated training = Fun training

The question is how do you keep yourself motivated in the short term so you can complete your long term goals. How do you increase the short term pay off so you can achieve long term commitment. The first question one should ask now is: What is motivation?

You could argue that one is motivated when the perceived reward exceeds the perceived sacrifice / investment. Both element, investment and rewards, can be intrinsic (i.e. time,  pleasure) and extrinsic (i.e. money). So how can you maintain motivation after the drop-off which you will encounter shortly after the start a.k.a. The Dip?

Lower the initial investment

Over the course of a year I might be investing €4.000 in equipment, food and training; money I don’t have at this moment. I will be investing hundreds hours of training to get ready for the Ironman; time I don’t have at this moment.

Don’t set up high fences but start frugal and small. If you start running you don’t need new shoes, a personal trainer, fancy clothes, a GPS watch and more. Just start running, build momentum and take it step by step. In stead of watching re-runs of Lost, or TV in general, spend those hours training. I promise you will get a lot more in return.

Make sure your initial investment and effort are manageable, bite-size chunks.

Shift the focus

It is good to have a clear view off the big picture (complete the IronMan) but that shouldn’t be your focus on the short term. I’ve only completed a quarter of a marathon 3 months ago. Yet I am supposed to finish an IronMan in a year time. At this moment that looks like a near impossible task.

Shift your focus to the short term and see what you have accomplished and what milestones you can accomplish in a small period of time. Celebrate those small victories and cherish those achievements.

Increase the outcome

Don’t shoot for the moon the first time. Set deliberate, small milestones and celebrate. Every time you achieve a small, but new, goal celebrate and dance like noone is watching.

Try a different view

Stress the fact that you’re not spending your time / money / effort / energy at this project. You’re investing it in a higher cause.

Apply these methods and hold on to the momentum you’re building after the initial start. It’s a flywheel; the beginning is hard, but when it starts spinning you’ll be amazed by the effortless power.

An essential part of your strategy should be how to keep your self motivated during the process.

Enjoy!

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