3 mins read//
The "How" Behind Motivation
I wasn’t planning to send out another Talent Brief this week; however, maybe this one is my way of self-reflecting and expressing what I need in order to stay motivated. I can easily fall into this trap. When I start to feel like I am losing my motivation, I try to go for a trail run, meditate for 10-15 minutes to reset, or get outside for some fresh air. When I can feel the cobwebs starting, I know I need to shift my thinking.
Motivation isn’t a lightning bolt; it’s a skill, a practice, a muscle that needs consistent effort. So, how do you actually motivate yourself when energy is low, distractions are high, and life feels like a never-ending Monday?
1. Start small, but Just Start. Action creates momentum. The hardest part is usually the beginning, not the work itself. Commit to five minutes. Once you’re moving, your brain releases dopamine, which naturally encourages you to keep going.
2. Revisit Your “Why." If your to-do list feels meaningless, it’s likely disconnected from purpose. Ask yourself: “Why does this matter?” Connect every task to a larger mission, your career growth, your integrity, or the people who depend on you. Meaning turns routine into motivation.
3. Design Your Environment for Success. Motivation fades in chaos. Clear your desk, silence notifications, and create an environment that encourages productivity. If your space promotes focus, your brain will follow.
4. Celebrate Micro-Wins. Don’t wait for the promotion, project completion, or the finish line to feel accomplished. Recognize progress daily; even checking off one task builds self-trust and confidence.
The "Why" It Matters: Personally and Professionally
Motivation drives agency; the belief that you control your choices and direction. That mindset doesn’t just boost performance; it also enhances health, resilience, and satisfaction.
- Personally: Self-motivation boosts mental strength. It changes your brain chemistry from reactive to proactive, lowering stress and enhancing emotional control.
- Professionally: It’s your key differentiator. In a workplace where 70% of employees report feeling disengaged, those who can self-motivate stand out. They don’t wait for leadership to give them energy; they create it.
Motivation is less about seeking inspiration and more about developing internal consistency. Discipline, clarity, and curiosity become the steady engines of progress.
The Common Stumbling Blocks
Let’s call out what often derails even the best intentions:
- Perfectionism. Waiting for the “perfect moment” kills momentum. Start messy; refine later.
- Comparison. The fastest way to stall progress is to measure yours against someone else’s. Stay in your lane.
- Decision Fatigue. Too many choices drain willpower. Simplify your priorities; focus on one or two meaningful goals daily.
- Emotional Burnout. Motivation can’t survive in a state of depletion. Rest isn’t laziness; it’s strategy.
These aren’t signs of failure; they’re signals that your system needs recalibration, not criticism.
Motivation isn’t about becoming a different person. It’s about aligning the person you are with the person you want to be and taking one small, consistent action toward that alignment every day.
Motivation and Reflection
- What’s one small habit I could build this week to strengthen my self-motivation muscle?
- When I lose motivation, what story am I telling myself, and is it true?
- How can I better align my daily actions with my long-term “why”?
What are some of your “go-to” motivators to jump-start your weekend?
Ren Ecosystem