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An example of when psych was high but the ability to climb (due to lack of partners) was low. 

Motivation is like looking for something. You find it when you don’t need it. Of course, you’re more psyched than ever when there’s two feet of snow outside or your partners are busy! It’s the same thing in the universe that makes toast always fall butter side down.

Recently my motivation has flowed like a clogged pipe...  After coming off some highs, making breakthroughs on a project, I went home and set replicas, trained hard, and created specific boulder problems. But when the time to try again had rolled around, the excitement had dimmed.

But I got on the route and gave it some work. The fire burned once again. But there appeared to be a lack of fuel. “Sorry project, there are other climbs I want to do...”

You climb at your best when your objective is what you want to do. It’s also way more fun. But sometimes you need to push through the “Ughh, I don’t wanna…” moments and put the time in. There are peaks and valleys, and sometimes you just need to ride ‘em out.

But climbing other routes, rather than falling at the same crux, can be better in the long run. It can be a needed mental break from the project grind. It can keep the project exciting, rather than a box to check. 

I guess the balance between performance and enjoyment is as delicate as the motivation that determines it. In the end, we need to ask whether the goal or for enjoyment is more important. Thankfully, they’re not exclusive of one another.

So, get out there! Hangdog the project through cold days, or cruise on casual laps on the bluebird days. Just remember: savor it. You could be at work.