Ramblin' on Motivation

​Have you ever struggled with motivation? Have you ever lost the drive for a few minutes, hours, days or even weeks? I think we all have at some point or another. Doubt, inner fear, and outside influences are all around us when we pursue goals in life. The trick is to push on despite the doubts and fears. I have so many friends and acquaintances that have shelved dreams and passions despite being the strongest people I know due to those anxieties and doubts sucking away their motivation. 

Motivation is a finicky thing, you can lose it and gain it back in such a short time. You can lose it from working day in and day out and burning out and then gain it back the same way by working your ass off again. I have found that I need to have the right balance of breaks and hard work in order to keep my motivation high. I have seen far too many of my cycling friends get burned out by riding and training 24/7 and not finding a balance of play and pain. 

Between my grueling trainer sessions, weight lifting block, and XC skis I find solace in reading, blogging, knitting, drawing, and meditating. This balance has kept me motivated for the Triple Crown while also allowing me the time to recover and stay healthy mentally. It isn’t always easy. When you throw your self at something like the Triple Crown it demands so much of you and can take over your life if you aren’t careful. 

The balance between training, staying healthy, being a great boyfriend to Olivia, saving up for the races, working two jobs, taking care of a 9-year-old cat, and trying to maintain a social life is the hardest thing I have ever done. I have been so incredibly lucky to have a very supportive family and I don't know where I would be if I didn't have Olivia in my life. The support I have and the balance I have found keep me motivated to be the best in every aspect of my life and that is something I don't take for granted. 

Pursuing your passions is not easy but it's so worth it. When you have the chance of a lifetime to pursue your dreams its never going to be a cake walk. Life doesn't care what you want, it only cares about pushing you to your limit to see if you really want it. Find that middle ground and balance in life and things become simpler and more manageable. If anything you will be even more successful. 

I struggle with the balance and motivation every day and I will continue to, but the mental strength and health I have been working towards for several years now always pulls me back to my middle ground and allows me to keep trudging towards my goals.

Keep pushing yourself and find your own balance.

-Dylan