When Motivation Isn’t Enough

Okay, You’re Motivated… Now What?

Lately I have been feeling extremely inspired. I have ideas, goals, vision, and a very clear understanding of the life I want for myself. I know the habits I need to build, I know the work I need to put in, and I know the type of woman I want to become. But what has been interesting to me lately is realizing that feeling motivated has not necessarily translated into action. I have all of this inspiration, all of this vision, and yet some days I still find myself sitting still. That made me stop and ask myself a very real question… what exactly is motivation, and what are we actually supposed to do with it once we have it?

What Even Is Motivation?

We glorify motivation a lot in today’s world. Everyone is always talking about getting motivated, staying motivated, finding motivation. We treat motivation like it is the missing ingredient to success, as if once you finally “feel motivated” everything else will just naturally fall into place. But lately I have been wondering if motivation is truly as powerful as we make it seem.

When Motivation Feels Like Progress

I think motivation can sometimes trick us into feeling productive when we really are not. We get inspired and suddenly we start journaling, planning, making vision boards, buying planners, and imagining the life we want. We consume self-help content and convince ourselves that because we are thinking about growth, we must be growing. But thinking about change and actually changing are two completely different things.

The Addiction to Potential

I think many of us have become comfortable living in potential. Potential is exciting because it allows you to imagine everything your life could be without requiring you to do the hard part yet. In your mind you are already her. Successful. Disciplined. Healthy. Accomplished. But there is a huge difference between admiring your future self and actively becoming her.


When Discipline Has to Take Over

Motivation may inspire you, but discipline is what changes your life. Motivation is temporary. It comes and goes. Some days you feel unstoppable, and other days you do not feel like doing anything at all. If your progress is dependent on whether or not you feel motivated, then you will constantly be starting and stopping. Real growth begins when you learn how to keep showing up even when the feeling is gone.

Final Thoughts

Maybe the real challenge in life is not getting motivated. Maybe the real challenge is learning what to do when motivation is no longer carrying you.


So tell me… do you think motivation is enough to change your life? Or do you think real change begins when discipline enters the picture?