by John Gray

Created on: July 07, 2009   Last Updated: July 24, 2009

In building the ideal physique, motivation is the clear driving force of success. Anyone can figure the correct workout routine or apply the right diet, but only a small number of individuals have the true commitment and will to really succeed in mastering the ultimate muscular tone.

Motivation is not something that can be easily taught. It is something which comes from deep within the individual. Successful people seem to be born with a steely determination to make things happen at all costs, and no matter what life seems to throw at them, they always seem to come out on top. This is true of all walks of life, from the businessman to the champion athlete, and is certainly true of weight training.

The sheer nature of weight training is that it is physically demanding and mentally exhausting. It is not possible to approach the workout in a half-hearted manner. To achieve any results the individual must apply themselves whole-heartedly to maximum performance. Even if the individual's personal goal towards weight training is just part of general fitness programme, there should be no half-measures in their approach to a workout.

For those who breed motivation and desire to succeed will always have a clear and realistic plan of development. They know where they are going, and know how to get there. They will organise their personal targets into smaller, achievable chunks in which they can check their progress regularly. The amateur approach to weight training (and indeed life) is that they will stumble in the dark with no clear focus of what they actually hope to achieve. They often have unrealistic, dream-like goals that instead of helping to maintain focus, will actually be of huge detriment to their overall progress. This is called the lottery approach to life and it is just not helpful, even if we are all guilty of it sometimes.

Instead the person who is armed with accessible targets and means for improvements will move forward. Many people at times in their lives can find themselves stuck in a rut, and will often feel that it is impossible to move on. This is where self-reflection comes in. It is important at regular intervals to take stock of where we are with a particular programme, and what needs to be achieved in order to go forward. Many people will come to such halts and simply drift without focus.

When motivation falters, the successful person self-reflects and reminds themselves of the goals. They picture realistic aims and outcomes and work out how they can go forward with whatever is holding them back. Chris Boardman, the Olympic gold medal cyclist, would even train on Christmas Day knowing that come competition time, he would have put in a day more than his opponent. This is the attitude of a winner. It is sheer mental focus to succeed when everyone else feels they can't go on.

Having role models in which to look up to is another way gain additional motivation. By trying to emulate a heroic figure we can attempt to mentally and visually share in their success. We get to be able to think and act with the right attitude and focus. Visual meditation of success can be a great way to leap over a barrier which is stopping the progress of our goals.

Motivation is indeed a mental process. Having the ability to block out external factors and to remain on task is a fundamental aid to motivation and a key ingredient of victory. Although it is true that motivation cannot be taught, we all need a little helpful push and guidance sometimes, but at the same time we understand that the true work must come from within; for therein lies the road to true success.

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