MSS #0125: The Motivation Myth – Why You’re Waiting Too Long to Act

MSS #0125: The Motivation Myth – Why You’re Waiting Too Long to Act

31 May, 2025

🕒Read time: 2.5 minutes
🚀 In a hurry? Jump to “3 Ways to Generate Motivation Through Action” for a reduced reading time of 1.3 minutes.

Many believe they need motivation to start.

But in truth, motivation doesn’t come before action – it comes after.

In this issue, I’ll show you why motivation is unreliable as a starting point and how to spark momentum using small, practical steps.

The Myth of Motivation

We’ve been conditioned to think we must “feel ready” before we take action.

But readiness is a feeling and feelings are fickle.

The real driver of progress is movement – even tiny movement.

Once you take the first small step, your brain shifts.

You experience a quick win, a sense of progress, a chemical nudge.

And that creates the real motivation to continue.

The Real Sequence:
 Act → Achieve small win → Dopamine release →

→ Feel good → Motivation grows → Keep going

This pattern works for any goal: fitness, creativity, work, emotional healing.

So, let’s use it intentionally.

3 Ways to Generate Motivation Through Action

Here’s how to stop waiting and start building self-motivation from the ground up:

1. Micro-Movements

Break the task into the smallest possible action – smaller than you think it “should” be.

You’re not trying to do the whole thing.

You’re just starting.

Examples:

• Don’t “go for a run” – just put your running shoes on

• Don’t “write the report” – just open the document and type the first heading

• Don’t “clean the kitchen” – just wash one mug

• Don’t “call your manager” – just open the contact and take a deep breath

• Don’t “plan your future” – just write the question: What do I want?

These are starter switches. Once you’re moving, you often keep going.

The mental resistance fades once you begin.

2. Momentum Rituals

These are short, specific behaviours that prime your brain to start.

Think of them like a personal “ignition key”.

Examples:

• Play one energising song before starting work

• Set a timer for just 2 minutes and challenge yourself to begin

• Touch a specific object (e.g. pen, notebook, mug) that signals “time to start”

• Use a repeated phrase: “Just 2 minutes. Then I can stop.” (you rarely will)

These rituals work because they bypass decision-making and create reliable entry points to action.

3. Commitment Devices

Build systems that make starting easier and skipping harder.

These external structures reduce the need to rely on willpower.

Examples:

• Arrange a walking meeting instead of a sit-down one

• Tell a friend: “I’ll text you once I’ve started writing”

• Leave your gym clothes next to your bed the night before

• Block 15 minutes on your calendar with the title: Do this now

• Use habit-stacking: “After I brush my teeth, I do 10 push-ups”

You remove the inner debate by tying your action to something concrete.

Act First, Feel Later

You don’t need to be in the mood.

You don’t need more time.

You need one small step and one gentle push.

Feelings of readiness come after you move – not before.

Start messy, start small, start anyway.

Summary

The real motivation myth is that you need to wait for inspiration.
You don’t. You need motion – even if it’s barely more than a flicker.

Once you start, the fire catches.

Quick Recap:
• Action leads to motivation – not the other way around
• Use these 3 techniques to generate momentum:

• Micro-Movements – e.g. open the doc, wash one mug, tie your laces

• Momentum Rituals – e.g. countdowns, triggers, songs, smells

• Commitment Devices – e.g. accountability, scheduling, habit-stacking

See you next week. One more thought 👇

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That's it for this week. Thanks for reading, really hope this helped. Contact me if you think I can help you further at [email protected].

Happy thinking.