The myth of motivation

Author

Joram Mutenge

Published

June 29, 2024

If we all waited to have the motivation to do something, none of us would do anything productive.

Real motivation happens when you start doing the thing, not before you start. It’s the momentum that keeps you going so that you can finish what you’re doing.

graph LR
    ACTION --> MOTIVATION
    MOTIVATION --> PRODUCTIVITY
    PRODUCTIVITY --> ACTION

    style ACTION fill:#006400,stroke:#00FF00,color:#ffffff
    style MOTIVATION fill:#006400,stroke:#00FF00,color:#ffffff
    style PRODUCTIVITY fill:#006400,stroke:#00FF00,color:#ffffff

Don’t wait for motivation to get you to do something. Instead, start doing something and use the motivation to get you going.

Always remember:

Motivation happens after action, not before.