Self Awareness and Motivation

When we decide to make a change, whether that’s starting a new exercise routine or deciding to modify a diet, lots of people fall into the same traps. As a result many fail to make any meaningful change at all. Can being aware of the things we've done or not done when we have tried to change in the past help us with new changes? In the following Interview Segments Interviewee's are asked... 

"How do you think knowing ourselves and being self-aware can help us to make changes more effectively?" 

Search Interviews

Experts
Athletes & Enthusiasts
by Subject 

---

2004-05 Bike NZ Coach of the Year Terry Gyde

Physiotherapist and Exercise Addict Claire O'Kane

Matty Niven - Soldier in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Dedicated Trainer

---

Korey Gibson

Asking particular types of questions and answering honesty as a way to build motivation to change (4:14)

Routines are an important part of habit formation plus removing temptations instead of trying to resist them (3:38)

Being self-aware allows me to manage my routines more effectively plus the importance of learning what works for you and what motivates you (4:52)

Maintaining motivation by shortening or varying workout times plus the power of accountability (4:17)

Andrew Ellis

Self-awareness is developed through experience and the mistakes we make - being open to learning new things is the first step (3:32)
 

It’s hard to put your finger on exactly what makes a good team culture but one thing is for sure, it’s vital to the success of a team (3:28)
  

Ego can get in the way of your openness to learn which in turn can affect potential growth (2:00)
 

Johan Hausen

Self-awareness is the starting point for anyone wanting to start exercising or exercise more (1:47) 

Motivation is like your mood in that there are ups and downs. You have to work with what you have at the time (1:33) 

Diet, sleep and relationships as the main barriers to exercising (3:02) 

Russell Maylin

Having others that can bring bad habits to your attention are useful as is self-awareness of habits (3:42) 
  

Maybe we aren’t as honest about ourselves as we used to be and maybe if we were change would be easier (3:48) 

Terry Gyde

Being prepared by gaining knowledge of physiology and exercise in general is always a good investment (2:20) 
 

Through self-awareness you can achieve the right balance which in turn can help you stay motivated (4:14) 
 

Steve Gurney

Being aware of weak points and how to make them stronger (1:54) 
 

Hugh Robinson

Mirrors don't lie! Motivation and your own reflection (2:55) 
 

First comes discipline then comes habits (2:43)  
 

Next! Managing unsuppotive or unhelpful partners (2:09)

Self-awareness is the best tool we have when it comes to our health (4:51) 
  

Jared Wilson

Fear of failure and unhappiness as motivators (2:08)

How motivation fluctuates over time (4:29)

Self awareness of the barriers that hinder motivation to change (2:32)   

Sue Storey

We all have habits, the key is first to be aware of the habit then to understand the triggers (3:21) 

The bottom line is that change is a long term thing. Ignore this at your peril! (4:17) 

I can’t afford it and I don’t have the time to do it. We all find excuses to not do things that are hard but are they valid? (3:50) 
  

Jane Lockstone

Habits, honesty, excuses and guilt (4:17)  

The more self-aware you are the easier it is to recognise unhelpful routines and habits  (2:09) 

Time, family, money and mindset as barriers to change plus ideas to get around these things (3:12)

Variety as a way to maintain your motivation plus ideas to pre-empt sticking points (3:36)

Gael Warren

Taking responsibility for your own well being now not on Monday (1:38)

Making exercise a priority - It doesn't have to be hard! (2:53)

First the mind tells the body then the body tells the mind (1:43)

Enjoying life and observation as the avenue to change (2:15) 
 

Being aware of the things we enjoy as a way to inform our direction or goals (1:59)

---

Anton Ashcroft

Self-awareness is incredibly helpful when it comes to change + strategies on how to become more self-aware and answer your own questions about how to change (4:26)

Ken McMaster

Thinking about the factors that are unique to YOU and setting goals that are realistic for YOU is vital if you want to exercise long term (2:29)

Negative self-talk in the form of excuses is a major barrier to our commitment to exercise (1:43)

Pre-empting problems and having a plan B in place for when, not if, problems arise is essential (3:19)

Tim Lindley

Changing habits is very much about being self-aware and having the courage to be adventurous (4:43)

It’s normal and expected that we will go through low motivational patches – honesty and reflection can provide us with the boost we need to continue (3:45)

---