The Motivation Myth: Why You’re Waiting for Something That’s Not Coming

Spoiler alert: Motivation isn’t coming. Systems are the answer.

The Motivation Myth: Why You’re Waiting for Something That’s Not Coming

Let’s Get Real: Motivation Isn’t Magic

Raise your hand if you’ve ever said, “I’ll start when I feel more motivated.” Be honest—it’s okay, we’ve all been there. But here’s the hard truth: waiting for motivation to magically strike is like waiting for a unicorn to show up and do your dishes. It’s not happening.

Motivation is unreliable, fleeting, and honestly a little flaky. Sure, it feels amazing when it hits, but depending on it to carry you through your goals is like expecting a paper straw to survive a long drink. Instead of waiting around, it’s time to focus on what actually works: systems that make progress inevitable, even when motivation is nowhere to be found.

Today, we’re going to bust the motivation myth wide open, show you why you’re stuck waiting for something that’s not coming, and give you the tools to create momentum, no matter how uninspired you feel. Ready? Let’s go.

Why Motivation Is Overrated

Let’s start with why motivation isn’t your savior. It feels great in the moment, sure, but it’s not built to last. Here’s why:

1. Motivation Comes and Goes

One day, you’re ready to conquer the world. The next? You’re binge-watching reality TV and eating popcorn for dinner. Motivation is as predictable as the weather—sometimes sunny, often stormy, and rarely reliable. Depending on it is like hoping your favorite coffee shop will have no line on Monday morning. Good luck with that.

2. It’s Rooted in Emotion

Motivation thrives on feelings: excitement, inspiration, or urgency. But here’s the catch—feelings are fickle. They change based on your mood, energy, or whether or not you’ve had your coffee. Let’s face it, emotions are great for a Taylor Swift album, but not so great for driving consistent action.

3. Waiting for Motivation Wastes Time

Here’s the thing: I used to buy into the myth of motivation, too. I’d say, “I’ll do it when I feel inspired,” and then spend hours scrolling Pinterest for inspiration that never came. Then one day, a friend handed me Crystal Sullivan’s The No B*****t Guide to Staying Motivated*.

She said, “Jenny, this is your wake-up call.”

At first, I rolled my eyes—another book on motivation? But by the end of chapter one, I was hooked. Crystal didn’t sugarcoat anything. She laid it out plainly: "Motivation isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment; it’s about building tools and systems that help you keep pushing, even when life gets tough."

That line hit me like a ton of bricks. I realized I’d been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for a magical burst of energy that was never coming. Instead of waiting, I needed to create systems that worked—even when I didn’t feel like it.

Motivation is fleeting, unreliable, and ultimately overrated. Instead of waiting for it, let’s focus on strategies that actually work.

The Truth: Motivation Follows Action

Here’s the game-changer: action creates motivation, not the other way around. Depending on inspiration is like sitting in a boat without oars, waiting for the current to take you somewhere.

Think of it like this: have you ever dreaded doing something—cleaning, working out, writing—and then, once you started, it wasn’t so bad? Maybe you even enjoyed it. That’s because taking action changes the chemistry of your brain, triggers momentum, which builds confidence, and sparks motivation to keep going. You didn’t need a magical wave of motivation; you just needed to start.

Action → Momentum → Motivation. That’s the real formula. And the best part? It works even when you don’t feel like it. No pep talk required, no stars aligning. Just one small step can be the catalyst for your entire day. So, instead of waiting for motivation to strike, why not create your own spark?

Systems Are the Answer

If motivation is the flaky friend who bails last minute, systems are the ride-or-die who always shows up. Systems don’t care if you’re tired, unmotivated, or in a bad mood; they’re designed to make progress feel automatic, even on your worst days.

Here’s the genius of systems: they remove the mental tug-of-war that drains your energy. Instead of debating whether to work out or start that big project, your system kicks in and says, “This is just what we do.”

Why Systems Work:

• They Remove Decision Fatigue: When the process is automatic, you don’t have to waste energy deciding what to do. That energy can go toward actually doing it.
• They Build Consistency: Let’s face it, willpower is overrated and short-lived. Systems ensure you stay consistent, even when your motivation is at zero.
• They Reduce Overwhelm: Big goals feel manageable when you break them into small, repeatable steps. Systems make progress feel achievable instead of impossible.

The beauty of systems is they actually give you freedom. By creating a reliable structure, you free yourself from the chaos of relying on motivation to get anything done. Think of it as putting your goals on autopilot—you still have to steer, but the journey becomes a whole lot smoother.

Examples of Systems That Work

Let’s get practical. Motivation may be fleeting, but systems are your steady sidekick. Here are some simple, actionable systems to build into your day:

1. Fitness Goals:
   Sit down with your calendar on Sunday and schedule your workouts for the week. When it’s built into your routine, it feels less like a choice and more like a natural part of your day. No debating on the should I or shouldn’t I. You already decided on Sunday. Want to take it a step further? Lay out your workout clothes the night before. No thinking, no excuses, no “but where are my leggings?” debate at 6 a.m. 
2. Work Goals:
   Create a prioritized to-do list at the end of each workday. Why? Because starting your morning with clarity is a productivity superpower. Bonus hack: Use time-blocking to assign specific times for each task. This way, you don’t just have a list—you have a plan.
3. Personal Growth Goals:
   Block time in your calendar for learning, journaling, or creative pursuits. Treat it like a non-negotiable meeting with your future self. Need a nudge? Set reminders or use an accountability buddy to check in on your progress. Consistency in these small actions leads to big results over time.

The beauty of systems is that they take the guesswork out of achieving your goals. They’re like your personal GPS, always guiding you toward progress without detours or distractions.

Stop Romanticizing Motivation and Start Romanticizing Discipline

Let’s be real: discipline has an image problem. It sounds like a joyless grind, but it’s actually the secret sauce to achieving your dreams without the drama. Discipline isn’t about being a drill sergeant with yourself—it’s about creating habits that work for you, not against you.

What Discipline Really Means:

• Freedom to Focus: You’re not wasting precious mental energy battling distractions or debating whether to start. The system is already in place, guiding you forward.
• Freedom to Achieve: Progress isn’t tied to how you’re feeling on any given day. It’s tied to your consistent actions, and that’s where the magic happens.
• Freedom to Rest: Discipline doesn’t mean grinding 24/7. It means you’ve set yourself up for success, so you can actually enjoy guilt-free downtime.

As Crystal Sullivan puts it: “Habits that don’t rely on willpower or unrealistic expectations are the key to staying consistent.”

Here’s the real truth bomb: Discipline isn’t the enemy of freedom—it’s the ultimate gateway to it. When you romanticize discipline, you stop waiting for motivation to rescue you and start building the life you actually want.

How to Build Systems That Stick

Let’s turn good intentions into habits that actually last. Here’s how to create systems that will support you even on the toughest days:

1. Start Small:
   Focus on one system at a time. Trying to change everything at once is like attempting to sprint a marathon—you’ll burn out fast. Nail one habit before layering in the next.
2. Automate Decisions:
   Routines are your secret weapon against decision fatigue. Eat the same breakfast every morning or schedule your workouts at the same time each day. The less you have to think about it, the more likely you are to do it.
3. Track Your Progress:
   Keep tabs on how consistent you’ve been with a habit tracker, journal, or app. Seeing those little checkmarks build up is wildly satisfying and keeps you motivated to continue.
4. Reward Yourself:
   Don’t wait until the finish line to celebrate. Hit a milestone? Treat yourself—whether the expensive bottle of wine, a movie night, or just taking a moment to acknowledge your progress. Rewards make the journey enjoyable and reinforce your efforts.

Pro Tip: Make your system so simple it’s hard to fail. Consistency isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up and letting your habits do the heavy lifting.

The Power of Purpose: Find Your Why

Here’s the secret sauce to making systems stick: tie them to something that genuinely matters to you. When your actions align with a deeper purpose, you’ll show up—even when it’s tough.

How to Find Your Why:

• Ask Yourself: Why does this goal really matter to me?
• Align with Values: How does this reflect what’s most important in my life?
• Visualize Success: What will my life look like when I achieve this?

Example:

Don’t settle for vague, uninspiring reasons like, “I need to exercise because I should.” Instead, connect it to something meaningful: “I want to exercise because it makes me feel strong, confident, and capable of handling anything life throws at me.”

When you’re powered by purpose, your systems become more than just habits—they become stepping stones to the life you truly want. Keep your “why” front and center, and watch your consistency soar.

Conclusion: Motivation Isn’t Coming—But Momentum Is

Let’s be real: motivation is like that flaky friend who promises to meet you for coffee and always reschedules. You can keep waiting for it, but why waste time when momentum is out here ready to get things DONE?

The truth is, success doesn’t hinge on feeling inspired 24/7. It’s about building habits, showing up, and taking action—even when it sucks. Systems are your ride-or-die, and momentum is the gift that keeps on giving.

Ready to Ditch the Flake and Embrace the Real MVP?

Enter: The Momentum Map – Your Guide to Finally Finish What You Start.
This free guide is your step-by-step plan to go from “meh, maybe later” to “HELL YES, it’s done.”

What’s inside?
✅ A 3-step framework (Reflect, Reset, Restart) that keeps it simple and effective.
✅ A space to transform your unfinished projects into actual wins.
✅ Prioritization hacks to kick overwhelm to the curb.
✅ Strategies to stop procrastinating and start owning your progress.

👉 Grab your Momentum Map here and start building a life fueled by action, not excuses.

Gut Punch Moment

Here’s the deal: counting on inspiration is like assuming your dry shampoo will save you from a bad hair day—it might help, but you’re still in damage control. Momentum, though? That’s all YOU. Progress doesn’t require perfect conditions, a surge of energy, or even a good mood. It just requires one small step.

So, what’s your move? Start today. Use the Momentum Map. Take that tiny, unsexy step forward. Because every step adds up—and before you know it, you’ll be crushing your goals like the boss you are.

Let’s turn “someday” into “DONE.” You’ve got this. 👏