Hey there, friends. Let’s have an honest chat about something I hear all the time—motivation. People come to me feeling stuck, burnt out, or frustrated, saying, “I just need to feel motivated again!” There’s this idea out there that motivation is the magic spark that makes everything easier, that once you “find” it, life just flows. But here’s the thing: motivation is a myth. Yep, I said it. Motivation, as we often think of it, doesn’t really exist—not in the way we want it to. Sure, there are moments when we feel that surge of excitement and energy to tackle a task, but it’s fleeting. That initial burst of motivation is great, but it’s not sustainable. The truth is, real success comes from consistent effort, even when you don’t feel like it—especially when you don’t feel like it.
Effort Over Mood
Let’s talk about those who succeed. It’s not about being the most motivated person in the room, nor about waiting for the perfect circumstances. The difference between people who reach their goals and those who don’t often boils down to one thing: they keep showing up, even when it’s hard. Think about the times you’ve felt off—maybe you were tired, distracted, or just not feeling it. Did you still do the thing you needed to do, or did you wait for that spark of motivation? Here’s the uncomfortable truth: waiting for motivation can lead to inaction. People who succeed don’t wait for the stars to align or their mood to shift. They keep moving forward, no matter what. It’s easy to feel like effort should come effortlessly. But the reality? Some days, you have to pull that effort from a place inside you that doesn’t even seem to exist. That’s the secret—real growth happens when you keep going even when there’s no energy, no excitement, no “motivation.” Motivation is Like the Weather Here’s another way to look at it: motivation is like the weather—completely unpredictable. Some days, you wake up feeling like you can conquer the world, and other days, it’s hard to even get out of bed. If you wait for sunny skies, you might spend a lot of time stuck inside, missing opportunities to move forward. This is where effort comes in. It’s like having an umbrella—you don’t wait for the weather to be perfect; you just prepare for it. Rain or shine, you show up. You push forward, even when your mood or external circumstances aren’t ideal.
Finding That Inner Drive
So, how do you do this? How do you pull effort from a place that feels empty? The key is to cultivate a sense of purpose. Purpose is bigger than motivation. It’s the “why” behind what you do. When you focus on that deeper reason—the thing that truly matters to you—it’s easier to take the next step, even when it’s hard. Here are a few tips to help you build that consistent effort:
Create Structure: When you’re tired or unmotivated, having a routine helps. Structure keeps you moving even when your brain says, “I don’t want to.”
Break it Down: Big tasks can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not feeling motivated. Break them into smaller, more manageable steps. The smaller the step, the easier it is to start.
Show Yourself Grace: Not every day will be a home run, and that’s okay. Give yourself permission to show up imperfectly. Effort isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence.
Celebrate the Small Wins: Success is built on small victories. Even if you only move forward a little bit, it’s still progress. Recognize and celebrate those steps, no matter how small they seem. Success is in the Showing Up At the end of the day, success isn’t about grand gestures or waiting for that perfect burst of motivation. It’s about the quiet, sometimes uncomfortable, act of showing up—again and again and again. It’s about continuing even when it’s hard, even when you don’t feel like it, even when your circumstances aren’t ideal. So, next time you’re feeling stuck, don’t wait for motivation to rescue you. Instead, find that place inside of you where effort lives. It’s there, even on the tough days. Trust me—you’ve got this.
Thanks for reading, and as always, I’m here cheering you on in your journey!
Warmly, Bri Larson, RPC
Bri Larson
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