Ever wonder why some people seem endlessly motivated while others struggle to get started? What’s their secret? They treat motivation as a skill, not a feeling. They cultivate it day in and day out, understanding that real motivation springs from consistent action—not just good intentions.
I first grasped this when teaching creative writing to students. Many waited for inspiration to strike, thinking they’d wake up one day bursting with ideas.
You don’t wake up motivated to write—you write to get motivated. It’s the act of writing that fuels the inspiration, not the other way around.
Think about it. Have you ever delayed a task, waiting until you “felt like it”? And did that feeling ever just show up? Probably not. Action precedes motivation. You have to rise up, take that first step, and start running. Once you’re in motion, momentum takes over.
But how do you trick your mind into action, especially when you’re not feeling it? Enter tiny habits.
Tiny Morning Habits to Kickstart Your Motivation
I stumbled upon this concept through BJ Fogg’s “Tiny Habits.” The idea is simple: design your day-to-day habits so you do what matters, even when motivation is low.
It’s about making the first step so ridiculously easy that you can’t say no.
- Make Your Bed Immediately. Sounds trivial, right? But starting your day by making your bed gives you a quick win. It tells your brain, “I’ve accomplished something already.” This small act sets the tone for the rest of the day.
- Drink a Glass of Water. Before you reach for coffee, drink a full glass of water. It wakes up your system and gives your body a jolt of hydration. It’s a simple action that says, “I’m taking care of myself.”
- Write for Two Minutes. Sit down with a notebook and commit to writing for just two minutes. It doesn’t matter what—journaling, ideas, a to-do list. Often, you’ll find that two minutes turns into ten, then twenty. The hardest part is starting.
- Do One Stretch or Exercise. Tell yourself you’ll do just one stretch or one push-up. One usually leads to more, but even if it doesn’t, you’ve signaled to your body that movement matters.
- Read One Page. Pick up a book and read a single page. Feeding your mind early sets a learning mindset for the day. Plus, one page often turns into several.
- Set One Intentional Goal. Before diving into work, decide on one thing you want to accomplish today. Not a list of ten tasks—just one key goal. This sharpens your focus and gives you a clear direction.
The beauty of these tiny habits? They build momentum. And momentum is a powerful motivator. Each small action makes the next one easier. You’re not relying on willpower or waiting for the perfect moment. You’re creating a chain reaction of positive steps.
Remember, motivation isn’t a lightning bolt. It’s more like a muscle. The more you work it, the stronger it gets. And like any muscle, it needs regular exercise.
So next time you’re lying in bed hitting snooze, remember: Action comes first, motivation follows. Start small. Make the bed. Drink the water. Write the words. Before you know it, you’re not just moving—you’re thriving.
Because those who excel don’t wait to feel motivated. They create their own motivation through action. And that’s a skill you can master, starting now.
Action Creates Motivation
Think about it. Have you ever noticed that once you start doing something, motivation kicks in? It’s like pushing a stalled car—the hardest part is the initial shove. But once it starts moving, momentum takes over.
You have to get yourself motivated to be motivated.
Action ignites motivation. It’s not the other way around. Successful people understand this. They don’t wait to feel ready. They act first, and the motivation follows.
Momentum Multiplies Motivation
Here’s the beauty of it: once you start, even with something tiny, it builds momentum. And momentum is powerful—it multiplies motivation. The more you do, the more you want to keep doing. It’s a snowball effect.
Imagine rolling a small snowball down a hill. It starts small, but as it rolls, it gathers more snow, growing bigger and faster. That’s how momentum works with motivation.
Suddenly, you’re not waiting for motivation—you’re living it.
You wake up, and instead of thinking, “I don’t feel like it,” you’re already in motion. The actions you took yesterday propel you forward today.
Stop Waiting, Start Doing
The biggest hurdle is starting. We overthink, procrastinate, and wait for the perfect moment. But here’s the truth:
Action precedes motivation.
Don’t wait to feel motivated to act. Act to feel motivated. It’s a mindset shift that changes everything.
Next time you’re stuck, remember that even the smallest action can ignite your motivation. Take that first step—no matter how tiny. Once you’re in motion, momentum will carry you forward.
Action creates motivation. Momentum multiplies it.
So get up. Make that call. Write that sentence. Take that walk. Before you know it, you’ll be not just waiting for motivation—you’ll be living it.
Start now. Your future self will thank you.
