Mindset Monday: When the Tank is Empty – Finding Your Deepest Why

Some days, getting out of bed feels like a monumental task. The world outside seems to press in, and the internal well of motivation feels utterly, irrevocably dry. In these moments, even the smallest challenges can loom large, overwhelming our vision until they become all we can see. It's a heavy blanket, isn't it? This feeling of burnout, of personal dilemmas piling up until the light at the end of the tunnel dims to a flicker.

I know this feeling well. When life throws its most chaotic curveballs, when the path ahead seems obscured by a thick fog of exhaustion and stress, that drive to do anything — let alone something hard like training – can completely vanish. It's a struggle that's deeply personal, and often, it feels like an isolating one. But here’s what I've learned: those issues, no matter how immense they feel, often seem far bigger in the dark. The overwhelm is real, but like a monster under the bed, it loses its power the moment you shine a light on it.

Your Why: The Unseen Fuel

When external motivators—the promise of a reward, the fear of missing out, or even just the simple desire to feel good—have packed their bags and left, there's only one thing left to lean on: your deepest "why." This isn't the surface-level "I want to be healthy" or "I want to look good for summer." Those are good starting points, but when the going gets tough, they often aren’t enough to pull you through.

No, your real "why" is the raw, visceral reason you get up when you really, truly don't want to. It's the conviction that transcends fleeting moods and temporary setbacks. It’s the answer to the question asked again and again: Why do you want that? And then, Why do you want that? And again, Why?

The Seven Layers Deep Exercise

In Training with Kelsey, we guide our clients through an exercise called Seven Layers Deep. It's exactly what it sounds like: a process of asking "why" seven times, digging past the superficial desires to unearth the foundational beliefs and aspirations that truly drive you.

For example, you might start with: "I want to lose weight."

Why? "To feel better."

Why? "Because I want more energy."

Why? "So I can play with my kids without getting tired."

Why? "Because I want to be present and active in their lives."

Why? "Because I want to create a lifetime of memories and give them a strong, healthy role model."

Why? "Because the generational curse of inactivity and illness that has plagued my family stops with me."

Why? "Because I deserve to live a life full of vitality and experience all I can in the time I've been given – and that freedom to say 'yes' to life is everything."

That last answer? That’s your deepest why. It’s not about your family or a better version of yourself; it's the freedom to say yes to life, to break a generational pattern, to seize every experience you've been given. It’s the "why" that ignites a fire in your belly when the world feels cold and dark. It’s "freedom to say no" to what no longer serves you, "freedom to say yes" to your wildest dreams. It’s the generational curse that stops with you. It’s the core of who you are and what you stand for.

Your Motivation, Your Drive

This deep, specific "why" is what your motivation is made of, whether you realize it or not. Bringing it to the front of your mind, acknowledging its power, and allowing it to fuel you can help you create your own motivation, your own unwavering drive to:

• Show up when every fiber of your being wants to hide.

• Stand alone when you feel like the world is against you.

• Face an issue head-on, even when it feels insurmountable.

• Tackle something difficult and push through the discomfort.

• Rise above when external motivations have completely abandoned you.

When the tank is empty, and the world feels overwhelming, it’s not about finding motivation out there. It’s about excavating the profound, immovable purpose that lies within you. It’s messy, it’s intense, but it’s real. And it’s your most potent tool for moving forward, one small, consistent step at a time.

Feeling lost in the darkness and need a guide to help you uncover your deepest "why"? Ready to build resilience and create your own unwavering drive? Join Training with Kelsey. We're more than coaches; we walk alongside you on this journey, helping you shine a light on what truly matters.

SIGN ME UP!

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