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You know that feeling when you wake up, the sun is shining, your coffee tastes extra good, and suddenly you feel unstoppable?
Yeah, that’s not motivation. That’s just a good morning.
And if you’re waiting for such perfect moments to get things done, you’ll be waiting forever. Because motivation isn’t something we can summon by scrolling through aesthetic “rise and grind” content. If that worked, we’d all be thriving by now.
So, what actually does work? How do we make ourselves want to do things—especially when we don’t feel like it?
Scroll down to find out how to motivate yourself.
1. Know Your Why, But Make It Personal
“I want to be successful.” “I want to be healthier.”
These goals sound nice, but do they actually get you out of bed on the days you just don’t feel like it? Probably not.
Your why needs to hit you on a personal level and spark that something in you. But how do you figure that out?
Dig Deeper (Like, Way Deeper)
Instead of stopping at surface-level answers, ask yourself why your goal actually matters. And then keep asking. It’s like peeling an onion—annoying, but necessary.
Example:
- I want to get fit. ➡️ Okay, but why?
- Because I want to be confident. ➡️ Why?
- Because I’m tired of feeling uncomfortable in my own body and sitting out on things I actually want to do. ➡️ Boom. Now that’s real.
Make It Visible
Put your why somewhere you’ll see it daily. Sticky notes in your mirror, a note on your phone’s lock screen, or even a whole Pinterest board—whatever works for you.
The key is keeping it in your face, so you’re constantly reminded why you’re doing this.
Tie It to the Present, Not Just the Future
If your motivation is based on some far-off future result, it’s going to feel really hard to stay consistent. So, find a way to connect it to your life right now.
For instance, instead of saying “I want to be healthy by next year,” try: “I want to feel good in my body today, even if it’s just taking a five-minute walk.”
The more you ground your motivation in the present, the easier it is to keep going.
2. Trick Your Brain into Micro Wins
Motivation isn’t about big, dramatic leaps. It’s about momentum.
And the best way to build momentum? Stacking small wins until your brain starts craving progress.
To pull off this move, you must:
Set the Bar Embarrassingly Low
If you wait until you feel ready to tackle something huge, you’ll never start. So instead, lower the bar. No, even lower than that.
- Want to work out? Just put on your sneakers. That’s it. If you do more, great. If not, at least you started.
- Need to write a paper? Open the document and type a sentence. (Chances are, you’ll keep going.)
- Trying to read more? Commit to just one page. If you stop after that, fine. But if it’s a good book, you probably won’t.
The point? Once you start, momentum takes over.
Track Your Wins
There’s something ridiculously satisfying about seeing your progress in real-time. So, start tracking your wins—even the tiniest ones.
Ways to do it:
- Keep a habit tracker (apps like Habitica, Streaks, or even a simple checklist work wonders).
- Jot down one thing you accomplished each day.
- Physically cross tasks off a to-do list (your brain loves this).
Reward Yourself (But Strategically)
Here’s where most people mess up: They only reward themselves for huge milestones. But if you only celebrate the big wins, motivation fades fast.
Instead, reward yourself for consistency.
Example:
- Did you show up for three days straight? Treat yourself to a fancy coffee.
- Hit a small milestone? Buy that book you’ve been eying.
- Made it through a rough week? Guilt-free Netflix binge.
Try the “Two-minute Rule”
Complete those tasks immediately that wouldn’t take more than two minutes. No overthinking, no excuses. Just get it done.
- Respond to that email.
- Drink a glass of water.
- Make your bed.
3. The Art of Moving Even When You Don’t Feel Like It
You know what’s the biggest lie we tell ourselves? “I’ll do it when I feel motivated.”
But the thing is, you have to move first. Motivation will follow around.
So, instead of waiting for inspiration to magically hit, here’s how I force myself into motion:
The 5-Minute Bargain
I tell myself, “Just do it for five minutes. If it sucks, you can stop.”
- Workout? Five minutes. After that, I can quit (but I never do).
- Cleaning? Just five minutes of tidying up (but I always keep going).
- Writing? Five minutes of typing nonsense if I have to (but my brain eventually kicks in).
Why does this work? Because starting is the hardest part. Once I get over that hump, momentum does the rest.
Set a “No Zero Days” Rule
I never let a day pass where I do nothing toward my goals. Even on days when I really don’t feel like it, I aim for the bare minimum. Because doing something (even the tiniest thing) keeps the habit alive.
- Too tired to work out? One stretch. One push-up. One squat. That’s it.
- No energy to study? Read one paragraph. Just one.
- Not in the mood to write? One sentence.
Give Yourself Permission to Suck
A messy workout is better than no workout. A bad attempt at your English paper is better than a blank page.
If you’re always waiting to feel “ready” or “good enough,” you’ll never start. So, remind yourself: “It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to exist.”
4. Romanticize the Process, Not Just the Goal
We all want the end result—the abs, the success, the glow-up. But if you only focus on the goal, the journey will feel like a never-ending chore.
And who has ever been motivated when everything feels like a chore?
So, make the process enjoyable. Turn the “work” into something you actually want to do.
Here’s how:
- Create a main character ritual. So, if you’re prepping a meal, light a candle, play some jazz, and pretend you’re in a Pinterest-worthy kitchen. It sounds ridiculous, but making things feel good tricks your brain into enjoying them.
- Focus on the feeling, not just the outcome. Slow down and enjoy the peaceful morning vibes when you wake up early instead of chasing peak productivity right away. Or focus on the strength and energy you feel after a good workout.
- If something feels boring, gamify it. For instance, if cleaning is your goal, challenge yourself to tidy your desk before a song ends.
- Change your mindset. Instead of saying “I should do this,” start chanting “I want to do this because it aligns with who I want to be.” It’s a small shift, but it can make a huge difference in how you approach your goals.
5. Call Yourself Out (But with Love)
Sometimes, I am my own biggest roadblock.
I say I don’t have time, but I scrolled on my phone for an hour. I tell myself I’ll start tomorrow, but deep down, I know I won’t.
But I don’t believe in beating myself up for that. I’ve learned that self-shaming only makes things worse. And that is exactly why I’ve started calling myself out with kindness.
This means:
Recognizing When You’re Making Excuses (And Reframing Them)
Whenever I catch myself making an excuse, I give myself a reality check.
❌ Excuse: “I don’t have time.”
✅ Reality Check: What if I spent just 10 minutes on it? Can I swap something less important for this?
❌ Excuse: “I’m too tired.”
✅ Reality Check: Would I still be too tired if someone invited me out for something fun?
The “If Someone Else Said This” Test
If someone else said this to me:
- I’ll never be good at this.
- I’m just lazy.
- I should probably give up.
I’d shut that negativity down immediately. So, why was I speaking to myself like that?
Now, when self-doubt creeps in, I flip the script. If I wouldn’t say it to someone I love, I don’t let myself say it to me either.
Find the Line Between Self-compassion and Self-sabotage
Here’s what self-compassion and self-sabotage look like:
- Self-compassion: “I had a rough day, so I’ll take a break and get back to it tomorrow.”
- Self-sabotage: “I had a rough day, so I’ll quit and pretend I never wanted it in the first place.”
Knowing the difference changed everything for me.
Give Yourself an “Honest but Kind” Prep Talk
Instead of shaming myself, I ask: “What would my highest self tell me right now?”
It usually sounds something like”
- “You don’t have to be perfect, but you do have to try.”
- “You deserve better than the version of yourself that gives up.”
- “Future you will be so proud if you just take one small step right now.”
6. Surround Yourself with People Who Make You Want to Do More
Energy is contagious. If you surround yourself with people who are driven, disciplined, and excited about life, that energy rubs off on you.
Here’s how you can make sure your circle fuels your growth instead of draining it:
- Do a social energy audit. Pay attention to how people make you feel. Who inspires you to be better? And who makes you feel stuck, helpless, or unworthy? When you have your answers, make more time for people who lift you up.
- Seek out people who are already doing what you want to do. So, if you want to be more creative, follow and connect with people who are actively creating. Or if you want to be more disciplined, find friends who hold themselves accountable.
- Create accountability loops. I found that I’m way less likely to slack off when someone else is counting on me. This could be in the form of a workout buddy, some co-working session, or even a progress-sharing chat.
- Follow people who motivate you. I love a good meme page, but I also fill my feed with people who make me want to do better. If it’s not lifting me up, I unfollow or mute.
