Luckily, there are ways to jumpstart your motivation and get things done, beginning with the crucial first step.

My goal for the summer is The Stawamus Chief in Squamish, a massive granite dome sitting at around 700 meters above sea level. It is one of the largest granite monoliths in the world and a favorite hiking and climbing spot for locals and tourists from all over the globe. I want to climb several new routes on “The Chief,” none of which I have tackled yet. I know these routes are long and technical and will challenge my years of experience in the sport. Still, to me and every other climber who appreciates that feeling of accomplishment, they are beautiful. I’ve had my eye on these lines for years, and it is finally time.   

But goals don’t always have to involve some glorious feat. They can be as simple as confronting that household project you’ve been procrastinating or finally diving into the pile of laundry that’s been marinating in the corner of the closet. One such goal of mine is to fix my 1990 Bayliner Cruiser. Knowing nothing about engines, I’ve decided to face this challenge head-on – relying on Google and YouTube to enlighten me. It’s a goal that will surely cause me countless hours online, but amidst those long periods spent on websites and then applying the logic in real life, the tangible feeling of the end goal is present. I picture myself spending the summer crabbing and fishing off this boat with my family – and that keeps my motivation high.

Initially, it can be hard to get that motivation wheel spinning, but each rotation becomes a little easier as the momentum carries it. 

To keep that forward inertia flowing, I’ve developed some habits that help keep me clearly on the path of achieving my goals. The first thing I do is very simple. I write down everything that I want to attain, and this makes them more concrete. Then, I keep looking at these written-down goals and I tell my friends about them. By doing so, I’m creating accountability and surround myself with positive and motivated folks to energize my thoughts and actions each day.

Maintaining a healthy body is crucial for my profession, but also in realizing my personal ambitions. I set time aside for this and communicate with my family when I will be training – usually when my kids are burning off energy in activities of their own!  I have learned how to utilize and prioritize my time, even if it’s a quick workout in the basement at home.

I base my training on the concept of “FIT.” I start with sessions spanning just a few times per week. This makes everything a little more realistic and attainable. Often, we set goals that are much too lofty from the beginning, and then feel a sense of disappointment when we haven’t achieved them. Starting humble keeps you focused and feeling great when you meet that goal.   

I make sure that I’m easing into my training and am careful not to overdo anything. Setting aside a designated training time bracket that works with my schedule is a must. Once I have the groundwork for a set time, I can add on or build it up from there.

Once I have a solid hold on the “FIT” of my training, I begin the cycle again. This time around, I add on to the frequency of workouts, increase the intensity of each exercise, and add more training time as the weeks progress. Always keeping the flow!

Optimism is a wonderful thing, but realistically, the path to achieving goals can be fraught with challenges. However, we humans are tenacious creatures, and we recognize and exalt in the high that comes from both ends of the goal-achieving spectrum. For some, ticking an item off the do-to list produces the same emotion as finally conquering an unscalable peak. 

Whatever objectives and obstacles, we all need motivation to get things done. It must be present to succeed, and it’s how you manage your motivation that enables you to recognize and achieve what you’ve set your sights on.

JF Plouffe is a professional mountain guide based in Squamish, BC. His wealth of experience in mountaineering, skiing, and climbing has him leading adventurers into the backcountry – exploring places that few have seen before.

He hopes that his positive energy and determination will inspire people to get out there and connect with their local environments. He wants to encourage people of all abilities to make the most of nature and create their own unique adventures.

All photos by Michael Overbeck.

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