We’ve all been in situations when we know we should get started on work or move toward a goal, but we don’t have the motivation to take the initial step toward achieving either. We keep our fingers crossed, expecting the next wave of inspiration to carry us forward magically.
What if, on the other hand, I told you that it’s possible that waiting for inspiration before taking action isn’t the most productive strategy? The reality is that taking action is what typically sparks one’s motivation. This article will investigate the principles and facts behind this idea and show you how to use it to your advantage to realize your goals.
The misconception that we need to wait for motivation
It’s a widespread misconception that we need to wait until we feel motivated before taking action. We consider self-motivation an essential component of success and recognize that we cannot achieve our goals without it. This notion has the potential to be self-limiting and destructive.
The fact is that motivation is not a state that is always there and somehow materializes out of thin air. It’s a transitory feeling that might be there one moment and gone the next. If we let motivation be the only thing that drives our activities, we may find ourselves caught in a never-ending loop of waiting, postponing, and feeling stuck.
Action drives momentum
Contrary to what many believe, taking action is needed to kickstart the process of becoming more motivated. When you start on something, momentum builds up even if you don’t feel very motivated initially. Every one of these baby steps you take builds upon the one before it, and as you feel yourself making progress, your drive begins to increase. It’s like trying to move a boulder up a hill; the first few pushes involve a lot of effort, but it gets easier to keep going as the rock picks up speed.
The attitude of ‘Just Do It’
Nike’s famous slogan “Just Do It” encourages people to act without waiting for motivation. Even if it’s just a baby step, taking action helps us overcome inertia and move in the right direction. In many situations, the most challenging aspect is getting started.
As soon as you can get over that first reluctance and fully engage in the activity at hand, you can use your intrinsic talent for concentration, creativity, and finding solutions to problems. When you permit yourself to begin without feeling completely inspired, it is incredible to see how quickly your motivation may come to you.
Dopamine’s part in the process
One of the most important neurotransmitters for motivation is dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. When you feel pleasure or are rewarded, your brain produces more of this chemical. Dopamine is also released, a fascinating discovery, when you anticipate receiving a reward or feel like you’ve accomplished something you’ve been working for. Dopamine is released whenever you take positive steps toward achieving your goals.
Every baby step you take engages the reward system in your brain, reinforcing the behavior and motivating you to keep going. Therefore, rather than sitting around and waiting for inspiration to strike, you should go to work and allow yourself to feel the satisfaction of making progress.
The power of habits
When you engage in certain behaviors repeatedly, they eventually transform into habits, at which point you need less and less conscious effort to carry them out. When you engage in behavior regularly, it eventually becomes embedded in your routines, requiring fewer mental resources to start engaging in that behavior.
Because of this, it is much simpler to get through the initial stage of resistance and get started. You develop a foundation of regular action that naturally drives your motivation when you build positive habits and integrate them into your daily life.
Progress matters
Recognizing and praising your accomplishments along the way is one of the most important things you can do to keep yourself motivated. You tend to become fixated on the end goal and must remind yourself to celebrate the many more minor successes and milestones you accomplish.
You may create a more positive outlook and increase your drive by intentionally acknowledging and enjoying your successes, regardless of how big or tiny they may be. A celebration can consist of something as basic as giving yourself a high-five, indulging in something you enjoy, or telling people about the accomplishments you’ve recently attained.
Keep in mind that every attempt is a demonstration of your passion and dedication and that every step forward counts.
Remember: Motivation follows action
Waiting for inspiration to strike before taking action is often counterproductive. Adopting a “just do it” attitude, taking advantage of dopamine, leveraging the power of routines, and celebrating success all help you tap into a deep drive reservoir.
Take your time waiting for inspiration to strike. But also, get out there and do something so that the cause may find you. You’ll be surprised at how far you can go starting now. Remember that the initial step is the one that sets everything in motion.
