The team is getting their butts handed to them.
They’re down by 20.
Dripping in sweat.
Looking like they can’t go on.
Then the coach calls a time out.
Everyone makes their way over to the huddle, huffing and puffing. The coach delivers an inspiring speech, the likes of which no one has ever heard before. Suddenly everyone’s energy is renewed, they break from the huddle and everyone in the audience cheers (despite having not been able to hear the speech).
The team suddenly catches up and just before the buzzer they get one last shot in for the win.
Motivational speeches are like magic in the movies.
Unfortunately, there’s no one looking over your shoulder in real life, waiting to inspire you whenever the chips are down. Although self-help gurus would have your think otherwise. Just buy their book, watch their TED talk, and pay for their course and you’ll have all the motivation you’ve ever needed.
It’s a lie, of course.
Not to say you can’t find any motivation in those things, but the whole idea of waiting to find your motivation through something external, like a speech, is a sham. You could spend your whole life waiting to be inspired, waiting to hear just the right speech that motivates you.
So what actually motivates us?
Well, there’s the rub. According to renowned psychologist David Burns, MD:
“Waiting for motivation is the trap that keeps your procrastination alive and prospering.” [1]
Action actually needs to come before motivation. Meaning, you just need to start, even though there’s no motivation in sight. Once you get started, the motivation can build.
So now you know the secret. You don’t need to motivation to start, you need to start and the motivation will follow.
References
- Burns, D. (2020, January 9). The website of David D. Burns, MD: 075: Five simple ways to boost your happiness. Feeling Good. Retrieved August 11, 2022, from https://feelinggood.com/2018/02/12/075-the-second-simple-way-to-boost-your-happiness-do-something-youve-been-putting-off/
