Action Precedes Motivation: Why Clients Shouldn’t “Wait Until They Feel Better” To Make A Change
Whether it’s getting ready in the morning, cleaning their living space, going out to see friends, or exercising (the one thing that can help them the most!)—these tasks often seem impossible. And if you work with clients experiencing depression, you probably have heard statements like, “I just don’t feel like it today.” Or, “I don’t have the energy.” Or, “Once I feel better, I’ll start doing things.”
The problem with that kind of mindset is…it often doesn’t work.
Clients have likely been waiting for this motivation for a long time. And if they haven’t gotten it before, they probably won’t get it in the future. The truth is, you don’t have to have energy, you don’t have to not be depressed, and you don’t have to feel like it… in order to do something. Because doing something requires one thing: action.
Action precedes motivation.
This is what we have to help clients realize.
But how do we do that? Well, by showing them they already have done it.
My guess is some of your clients with depression aren’t always enthusiastically-motivated to come into your office for their latest session. Or, for those who do home visits, I’d also bet your clients didn’t want to get out of bed to talk with you.
If they can do it in this instance…they can certainly do it in others.
Check out this 10-minute clip from my new CBT course to learn more about this topic, as well as discover:
- What happens to clients who aren’t sleeping
- What to do before you focus on behavioral activation
- Two activities that make the biggest difference in boosting mood
Leslie Sokol, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and internationally recognized leader in the field of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with almost 40 years of experience in practice, teaching and research. She was a past Director of Education and one of the principal instructors at the internationally acclaimed Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. She is one of the leading CBT speakers in the world, providing teaching and training to professional and paraprofessional groups, both nationally and internationally, on a multitude of CBT topics.
Dr. Sokol is a distinguished founding fellow of the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies, was a past president, and is currently Chairman of its Credentialing Committee. She is a fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) and President Elect of the International Association of Cognitive Psychotherapy (IACBT). Dr. Sokol also served as Chairman of Behavioral Science for the Mercy Suburban Hospital and Family Practice Training Program for over 20 years. Her private practice is in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Sokol has coauthored numerous books and book chapters. Her most recent books include: The Comprehensive Clinicians Guide to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Teaching and Supervising Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens: A Cognitive Therapy Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Creating Unshakable Self-Esteem; Think Confident, Be Confident: A Four-Step Program to Eliminate Doubt and Achieve Lifelong Self-Esteem; and The Think Confident, Be Confident Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Create Unshakable Self-Confidence and Reach Your Goals.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Leslie Sokol maintains a private practice and has an employment relationship with Montgomery County. She receives royalties as a published author. Dr. Sokol receives a speaking honorarium, book royalties, and record royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Leslie Sokol is a member of the Academy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Behavior and Cognitive Therapy. She serves as the president-elect of the International Association of Cognitive Psychotherapy. Dr. Sokol is on the advisory board of the Journal of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy and Research. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Psychological Society.
