The Motivation Myth: Why Waiting to Feel Inspired Will Keep You Stuck

For years, I waited for motivation to strike.

I thought productive people had some kind of magical drive I didn’t.
That one day, I’d wake up full of energy, ready to become the kind of person who exercises, writes consistently, or tackles big projects without procrastinating.

Guess what?

That day never came.

And it never will.

Because here’s the truth:

Motivation is a lie.

Why Motivation Doesn’t Matter

We’ve all said it:

  • “I just need to get motivated.”
  • “I’ll start when I feel ready.”
  • “I don’t have the energy today.”

But motivation isn’t something you have—it’s something you create.

We think action comes after motivation, when really, it’s the other way around.

Motivation follows action, not the other way around.

You don’t wait to feel inspired before starting.
You start, and then inspiration finds you.

Once I figured this out, everything changed.

I used to wait for that perfect wave of motivation—but that feeling was rare, and when it did show up, it didn’t last.

Then I noticed something:

I always felt more motivated after I started, not before.

Even if I didn’t feel like it—once I got moving, I wanted to keep going.
That’s when I realized:

Motivation is a side effect of action.

What Actually Works (And Why It’s So Simple)

If I waited to feel motivated, I’d never do anything.

So instead, I follow three simple rules that make action inevitable:

1. The 5-Minute Rule

If something feels overwhelming, I trick my brain by saying:

✔ I’ll just do it for five minutes. That’s it.

  • Too tired to work out? → Five minutes of exercise.
  • Don’t want to start that project? → Five minutes of brainstorming.
  • Can’t focus on writing? → Five minutes of bad first drafts.

90% of the time, I keep going.

Because starting is the hardest part. Once I’m in motion, momentum keeps me moving.

And if I really do stop after five minutes?
At least I did something—and something is infinitely better than nothing.

2. The “No Emotion” Rule

I stopped asking myself if I felt like doing something.

Feelings are unreliable. If I waited until I “felt like it,” I’d never get anything done.

So I stopped negotiating with myself.

Now, I treat actions like brushing my teeth. No debates. No negotiations.
It’s just what I do.

✔ Exercise? → It’s not about motivation. It’s just “time to move.”
✔ Writing? → Not about inspiration. It’s just “time to write.”
✔ Starting work? → Not about being ready. It’s just “time to begin.”

Action first. Feelings later.

Surprisingly, once I start, motivation usually shows up.

And if it doesn’t? Who cares? I’m already doing the thing.

3. The 3-Choice Trick

When I don’t want to do something, I limit my options to just three:

1️⃣ Do it now. (Just start, even if it’s imperfect.)
2️⃣ Do it badly. (Perfectionism kills momentum. Done is better than perfect.)
3️⃣ Do nothing—but sit there and stare at the wall.

Turns out, staring at a wall is boring. So I usually just do the thing.

This trick works because it eliminates all distractions.
I’m not allowed to scroll on my phone or check social media.

My only choices?
✔ Work.
✔ Do it badly.
✔ Or sit there doing absolutely nothing.

And honestly? Working or doing it badly is always better than the existential void of wall-staring.

Why This Works: The Science of Momentum

Newton’s First Law of Motion states:

“An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion.”

Turns out, this applies to humans too.

When we’re at rest (not doing the thing), it feels impossible to get moving.
But once we start, it’s easier to keep going.

This is why the hardest part of any task is getting started.
It’s why the 5-minute rule works so well.

✔ It breaks the inertia.
✔ It removes overthinking.
✔ It makes starting feel effortless.

And once you’re moving? Momentum takes over.

It’s not about willpower.
It’s about tricking your brain into motion.

The Takeaway

Motivation is a trap. It’s not coming to save you.

If you wait to “feel like it,” you’ll wait forever.
If you wait until you’re “ready,” you’ll never start.

But action? Action leads to momentum.
And momentum creates motivation.

So next time you’re waiting to “feel ready,” don’t.

✔ Start for five minutes. (Even if it’s terrible.)
✔ Do it without debating. (Feelings can catch up later.)
✔ Give yourself only three choices. (Work, do it badly, or stare at the wall.)

Because once you start, you won’t stop.

And when you stop needing motivation to begin, you’ll get more done than ever before.