Today’s practice
Remembering Motivation
7 min, guided by Sean Fargo
Today is remembering motivation. Not hype. Heart. The quiet reason you chose to show up.
In your day
Writing one sentence today: I practice mindfulness because ______.
From Sean
I am not here to prescribe why you practice. Some people try it to win the hundred-yard dash, some to be a better parent, some because they think they should. Everyone is different. I invite people to discover the benefits for themselves. Even an intention that is a little unwholesome is better than not practicing at all. Your reason is enough.
A question to carry
What kind of person are you becoming through practice?
Saved on this device only, and kept for all 28 days.
A few lines, for whatever they are worth
I practice because
the sentence has no ending yet.
Because the kettle,
because the kids,
because one quiet minute
changed a whole afternoon.
If you want more today
- Script: Motivation When You are Unmotivated (PDF), to read aloud for yourself or someone else.
- Workshop: Erik Ireland on your personal myth and the hero's journey, about an hour, for when you have it.
- Podcast: Mindful Self Discipline with Giovanni Dienstmann and Sean Fargo, for the drive or the walk.
Read the practice as text
Transcription
Let’s begin by taking a moment to settle your body into a comfortable position (2 seconds). You may close your eyes or keep them slightly open with a soft focus looking downward a few feet in front of you (2 seconds).
Allow your spine to lift and for your shoulders to soften (5 seconds).
Today we will practice remembering motivation (2 seconds) Taking a full breath in (2 seconds)and a long slow breath out (2 seconds).Allow the mind to rest on the breath (5 seconds).
Call to mind something where you might be feeling a lack of motivation (5 seconds).Perhaps it’s with a task at work or a project you’ve been putting off at home (2 seconds). Maybe it’s repairing a relationship issue with a friend or family member (5 seconds).
As you envision this issue, listen to these questions lightly and see what comes up (5 seconds) there’s no need to figure anything out,
if nothing comes to mind just continue to focus on the breathand notice what thoughts ariseletting them pass through your mind as if carried by a gentle breeze (5 seconds).
Ask yourself, “when it comes to this issue what is my greatest aspiration?” (10 seconds)
What about this issue is most important to me? (15 seconds)What might be getting in the way of me addressing this issue? (15 seconds)How do I want to show up in relationship to this issue? (15 seconds)
Notice how you feel when you consider these questions,the specific sensations in your body (2 seconds)and again there is nothing to figure out here just notice what comes up for youas you ask these questions (15 seconds).
If this issue was in progress or completed,what would that mean to me? (10 seconds)If this issue was in progress or completed, what would that feel like? (10 seconds)
See if you can really feel that feeling, allowing yourself to fully absorb it (15 seconds).As you experience these feelings of accomplishmentconsider how you can access this place again the next time you face this issue (2 seconds). How can you use these feelings as a source of focus? (10 seconds)
Can these feelings serve as a motivation for you to engage? (15 seconds)and finally ask yourself, “what is my intention going forward?” (15 seconds)Let’s finish with a full deep breath in (2 seconds)and a long slow breath out (5 seconds)
*ding* (20 seconds)
Integrated Practice:
Write for 2 full minutes for each journaling prompt below. Once you’ve finished, take a minute to reread what you wrote and reflect.
Reflection Questions:
1. An intention I’d like to hold for myself is…2. Things I can let go of are…
Your progress
Day by day. No streak to protect.
Kept on this device. A missed day is part of the practice: pick up where you are.
Daily by email
This is Day 26 of the 28-Day Mindfulness Challenge.
One short practice a day for four weeks, sent to your inbox each morning with the worksheet and a podcast episode to go with it. Free.