When "Just Do It" Just Doesn't Do It, Revitalize Your "Clarity of Purpose"

Few ad slogans have enjoyed the lasting power of Nike's "Just Do It."  But let's face it, those beautifully chiseled athletes in the commercials don't actually "Just Do It."   In fact, for athletes like Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods, their achievements are like the tip of the iceberg, while preparation represents the ice beneath the surface.  "Just Do It," and variations of the phrase, act like a spontaneous nudge when we are on the fence about accomplishing a daily task or goal.  A gentle thought reminding you to take action is fine, but using the words for regular kicks in the butt is a sign that there is a deeper problem.  Even if the Nike mantra (or some form of it) is an effective motivational tool, you should still ask yourself if reaching your goals could be more enjoyable.  Although growth will of course involve some physical and/or mental discomfort, you can exercise a great deal of control over the experience by revitalizing your 'clarity of purpose.'

Common Uses of the "Just Do It" Mantra

"Just Do It" is frequently used when we are 100% sure that an activity is in our best interest, but we nevertheless start waffling a bit.  The activity can be a disagreeable no-brainer like doing the dishes or a daily exercise routine.  Most of us have experienced the feeling of wanting to skip a run, yoga workout or some form of regular exercise.  The lure might be a party or perhaps a piece of chocolate cake.  The logical mind starts working overtime and churning thoughts like, 'If I have the cake now, I can start a new diet tomorrow and run an extra mile.'  When stress is introduced to the scene, we become even more vulnerable to breaking our conscious routine.  Interrupting an exercise or other habit once in a while is human, but when it requires more and more willpower, it's time to reevaluate your motivational needs.  Otherwise, it can be the beginning of a new ritual... of sitting on your butt instead of taking action.

What to Do When "Just Do It" Just Doesn't Do It

When "Just Do It" pops in your head, you have probably already been resisting the task or goal that stands before you.  The phrase can work wonders for launching you into 'doing' mode and bypassing the 'thinking' mind.  However, there will be times when "Just Do It" gets stopped in its tracks by a torrent of counterproductive thoughts.  If a morning run is your thing, there will still be some days when you just don't feel like it.  Yet, if you don't want to break your routine and experience the bad feelings that may surface, what should you do?  I'll answer that question with another one. If you were the starting quarterback or a cheerleader in the Super Bowl, would you have any trouble getting out of bed on game day?  I didn't think so.  Now, do you think the reason is that they have superbly written goals or that they are internally motivated (slight understatement)?  Let's take a look at what as strong clarity of purpose can do for you.

Without a powerful clarity of purpose, your willpower will only take you so far, and motivational phrases will gradually lose their oomph.  The mental fatigue from battling your thoughts zaps your energy and takes its toll over time.  What I do if my motivation starts to wane is to revisit my vision board.  It allows me to clearly "see" what inspires me.  If you don't have one, it will change your life for the better on day one.

Clarity of purpose is nothing more than the "why" that underlies your goal.  Friedrich Nietzsche put it more elegantly when he stated: "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how."  Where my thinking differs from many other goal setting approaches is that I believe the visualization of your goals is the most important element to achieving them.  I look at my vision board throughout the day and the images are never tiring and always uplifting.   The pictures may or may not be worth a thousand words, but I feel they are more helpful than a task or goal that is written on a one dimensional piece of paper.  Whether you are a professional athlete or dental hygienist, the "why" that underlies your goal must be strong.

Revivifying Your 'Clarity of Purpose'

I recommend using Nike's catchphrase sparingly and as a last resort for motivating you.  View it as an indication that your goal strategy needs work.  You can find a million reasons not do something, but you can find just as many for doing it.  Like all areas of personal development, it's a choice.  While some self-growth tactics are negotiable, making your passion come alive visually is one of the best ways to reach your goals.  Once your vision board is set up, on-the-spot visualization of your big goals and dreams is automatic, emotionally powerful and inspirational.

You probably know that habits take about a month to form.  With a vision board, all you have to do is place it where you can't miss it.  Give it a try for a month.  If you don't have more energy and feel more inspired, take it down.  I'm very confident you won't want too though.  It's easy for your clarity of purpose to become stale over time, but a vision board helps put your motivational and inspirational needs on autopilot.