
Exercise is a keystone habit, which means it has a positive impact on multiple areas of our life – even if we’re not intentionally trying to improve them. For example, as we start getting fitter from a daily 30-minute exercise, we will most likely start avoiding sugary and fatty food.
Achieving our health goal will then lead to improved self-esteem & confidence, which is a positive change that can impact relationships, career and life in general.
But a real challenge in staying healthy is sustaining the motivation in the long run, to regularly exercise, eat healthy food and sleep well.
A possible solution is to practice relational thinking. The ability to connect our actions to our values, our passion & our sense of purpose is called relational thinking.
At work, think about any deliverable that you need to complete. It could be routine (such as a weekly report) or specialized (such as a technical presentation).
Now think about staying healthy, which means making time for exercise & getting enough sleep, which requires ruthless prioritisation of activities, i.e. saying “NO” to others.
Whatever the deliverable or output required, you need a level of motivation for completing the task that is either internal or external, or a combination of the two.
Your motivation could be external. For example, you may be interested or disinterested. You may be motivated by fear or reward.
Your motivation could also be internal. For example, you may be motivated by
🔵 your values
🔵 your sense of purpose
🔵 your passion
As your motivation shifts from external to internal, the quality of your motivation improves. Relational thinking is a skill that enables you to shift your motivational outlook from an external to an internal motivation. The key is for you to clearly define what you are doing that lets you express your values, fulfil your sense of purpose, or satisfy your innate passions or interests.
This 2025, I wish you a healthy mind, body and spirit! In case, you need a health coach to help you, I highly recommend Michelle Ong, whose passion for healthy living & collaborative approach helped me to achieve my health goals last 2024, which then helped me to be fit to fulfil my purpose & passions.