Have you ever been told to do something that's good for you, yet still been unable to motivate yourself to do it? Even if you've been told that it works, and is a proven, scientific fact? I know I have...

Why can't we just take people at their word that something works and do it for ourselves? Because we need the facts! The problem is that we often get the "what" to do, but not always the "why"... or we don't get the "why" in a way that's meaningful enough to inspire us to actually do it.

For example, for years I hadn't been able to motivate myself to drink more water, especially when trying to lose weight, even though we've been told FOREVER that drinking water helps you lose weight. It flushes through your system, taking fat with it. We've also been told that "other drinks" (coffee, tea, soda) don't do the same thing.

The problem is that I hate water. Weird, right? It has no taste (except bad, if it's not really good water) and doesn't have any negative effects on me. I just don't enjoy drinking it. Consequently, I have always asked, "Why can't I drink just any liquid and have it do the same thing? They all seem to go through my system in pretty much the same way, so what's the difference?"

No one could ever tell me the difference. All anyone ever said was that it is different, with no "why" and no real explanation at all. It's almost as if I were a child being told, "Because I said so!" (Maybe that's the rebellious little girl in me coming out, but I didn't want to do it - and actually refused to do it - until I received an explanation that made sense to me.)

Why? Because I'm NOT a little girl, and if the adult in any of us is to be motivated and inspired in a meaningful way, we must understand what we're doing, why and the benefits of doing so. After all, the most popular "radio station" for all of us is WIIFM - What's In It For Me! Simply telling us to do it "because I said so" is not enough for any thinking adult.

However, I was recently speaking with a doctor about this very topic and he finally gave me an explanation I can understand. More importantly, it was an explanation that actually motivated me to take action.

He said that water is processed differently by the body than food. When you drink coffee, tea, juice, or soda, there are food elements in those items (such as sugar, nutrients, etc.) that must be processed as food before the body can dispose of it - therefore, it doesn't just flush through in the same manner as water.

Finally! Something that made sense to me...

Couple this with a dear friend of mine who recently said she swears that the reason she is able to keep her weight off and still eat big meals is that she drinks a lot of water.

OK, two different things that made sense to me coming (coincidentally?) into my life at about the same time? It was a sign... I could get behind the explanation I'd finally heard AND here was a living, breathing example of someone else giving credit to this action for working in her life.

So, I tried it. The result? Unbelievable... it worked! I had been trying to lose weight by following a plan that had worked when I was younger, but hadn't been working in recent years (by the way, I also hate exercise... I know, I know, but what can I say?). I decided to try the plan again, the only difference being that I began drinking more water... and I have lost 11 pounds in the process! Family, friends and colleagues have all noticed; some believe I've lost more than that. My goal is 20 pounds, and I believe I will reach it using this newfound knowledge and motivation.

Will this work for everyone? I don't know about the weight loss, but I do know one thing...

What WILL work for everyone is this:

Keep your eyes, ears and mind open to ideas that resonate with you.

Once you find an idea that does resonate, get the facts: if the reasoning behind an action you know you should take is not obvious, seek a meaningful explanation for it. Ask questions, such as "Why does it have to be done in this manner, or in this sequence, or in combination with this particular item?" If someone tries to tell you to simply "Do it because I said so," start asking questions until you get an explanation that motivates you. If that person can't answer your questions, keep searching until you find someone who can.

Look for examples of that principle or idea in action that will inspire you.

Take action to put that principle in place.

Until you find the meaningful explanation that will provide the motivation you need to begin your journey toward any dream, you'll never take the first step...

...but once you do, there will be no stopping you!

Minds are like parachutes - they only function when open. - Unknown author

Sandy Geroux is a national speaker, trainer and author of It's My Dream And Who Am I To Stop Me? An award-winning salesperson, she helps others achieve breakthrough performance with her programs on effective risk-taking, goal-setting and achievement, sales and customer service. Visit her on the web at http://www.sandygeroux.com