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I’m not sure who thought it would be cute to start a rumor that motivation is a way to get important stuff done.
Want to write a will?
Wait for motivation to flow like hot cheese on nachos.
Want to start investing?
Wait for weekend motivation that will rise like getting up early on a Saturday.
The truth is motivation is a myth: don’t wait for it.
What is motivation?
Beata Souders, who’s pursuing a doctorate over at Positive Psychology, suggests motivation is wanting.
“We want a change in behavior, thoughts, feelings, self-concept, environment, and relationships.”
Basically, going from what we’re currently doing to something different. Something better.
Perhaps its to lose weight, eat healthy, or call our mother on a consistent basis.
To each their own.
There’s a gap between who we are today to the person we want to be. Sometimes we are the person we want to be. Other times, not so much.
There is a strong desire is to be that person, the better person.
The chasm is going from who we are today to who we want to be tomorrow. Change requires energy, effort, and consistency.
When we want to engage in change, that’s when motivation gets the side eye.
Why shouldn’t I wait for motivation?
Motivation is like a pill that cures everything from poor life choices to fatigue.
Motivation is seen as the substance that can turn an I don’t wanna into I wanna.
The sticky part is if we wait for that feeling, we could wait for forever.
Many sunrises ago, I was gifted the chance to learn how to scuba dive. It was cheap, easy, and convenient. Exactly how I like my adventures.
I wanted to be a scuba diver, but I waited instead of acting.
I waited friends for friends to join.
Then, when friends didn’t join, I waited for courage to go solo.
The waiting led to the opportunity sinking to the bottom of a pool without me.
As much as I’d like to state with authority, that was the only experience I’ve had with waiting and wanting, and not doing, I’ve more examples than the dumpster fire of 2020.
How do I do hard things without motivation?
The awkward question is, if I’m not waiting for motivation, what am I doing?
Doing whatever the crusty thing is.
Do I always feel like running 3 hours a week to support my wellness goals?
Nope.
Maybe one day out of 3, I don’t feel as reluctant. Instead of waiting for motivation, I initiate motivation by telling people that I’m going for a run.
Well, after that it would be awkward if I didn’t, so I change my clothes. With my running clothes on, I figure I might as well put on my shoes. Once my shoes are on, I start walking to the trail. Then, its cold and I know I’ll warm up if I start running, so that’s when I’m running on the trail.
No motivation, just one small step at a time.
Other ways to make moves without motivation is to:
Pretend to feel motivation (fake it till you make it, baby!);
Cut the task into super small steps;
Do the worst first when energy is high and mental chatter is low;
Set a 10-minute timer and do the dreaded task for 10 minutes and then reassess;
Create a reward for completion; or
Revisit the why (why is this important, needed, valued?).
Sometimes I will use one of these methods and the initial action is enough inertia to keep me going. Other times I have to cycle through a few actions until it sticks.
Why should I do hard things without motivation?
I have a strong biases.
I have accomplished things that make me proud, from surviving the Navy to getting a science degree to quitting during the pandemic.
Many of the big events took years to accomplish and didn’t stem from daily motivation. Big achievements had daily habits.
Anything worth dreaming of took effort and effort came from doing work without motivation. If motivation appears, typically it’s while doing the work or after the work.
It’s like a flaky friend who shows up late to the party just in time to drink all the booze and eat all the food. Don’t wait for that “friend”.
Motivation is a myth: don’t wait for it.
27,375.
The average person lives for 27,375 days.
Sharp numbers that cut to the bone.
As the black numbers slice across the white, these numbers are a testament to our finite life. Finite with time, but not possibilities.
It’s never too late to change, but I don’t wait for motivation either.
