NEW Reddit Article - How to get Motivation.
Inspiration is hitting the gas, Motivation is the fuel in the tank... Doesn't matter how hard you push if you're on empty. Here’s how to fill up to become energized & productive.
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You’re stuck in a rut.
Doom scrolling. Procrastinating on basically everything. Lifelessly coasting through a mediocre existence.
You don’t want to keep living like this. You’re desperate to break out, but for whatever reason, you’re finding it impossible to find the motivation to complete even the most basic of tasks.
You decide to dig a little—perhaps prodded by the advice of a self-help book—and see if you can uncover something that will unlock your motivation.
Ok, well, I’m drifting aimlessly, so maybe I need to “start with why”. That’s gotta be it. That’s what’s missing: the “why” of the many “whats” I want to do.
So what are my deep-seated desires? What are my ambitions? What do I really want?
Ok, I can think of a few… I want to work hard because I want to live the life I always dreamt of. I want to have more money and take better better of myself, my friends and my family. I want to feel better and be happier.
If I focus on that, if I remind myself of my “whys” multiple times each day … if I create vision boards, tack motivational posters, repeat affirmations… then… I should and will feel motivated!
So you do that.
Aaaaand nothing changes.
Meanwhile, the guy on Instagram, who seems completely untethered to any “whys” beyond the growing in the ability to take the douchiest selfies possible, has no trouble pounding it at the gym, crushing it at the office, then partying hard at night.
What gives?
….
Here’s the deal.
The word motivation is derived from the Latin word “movēre”, or “to move”. You should interpret this, not as the will to move—that’s the domain of inspiration—but the capacity to move; to have a physical store of calories ready to effect work.
All that “why” stuff is important, but it’s the stuff of inspiration. It’s the will and intention to get your work done and achieve your goals. But you have plenty if that. More is just not the solution.
To use a car analogy, inspiration has you push on the gas pedal—and perhaps you’ll jam it down hard if you have a David Goggins audiobook in your ear—but motivation… that’s the gas in the tank. The liquid fuel; the store of energy needed to actually propel the heavy chunk of metal forwards.
Not saying it’s not important to get clear on your “whys”—a car won’t go fast or far if the pedal is barely tapped. I’m saying… you’re on empty, so you need to put some damn gas in tank first.
Ok but how?…
So that’s the problem aspect of my article. To keep this email short, you can find the solution bit on Reddit. Go here to read it, and if you’re inclined, leave an upvote or comment. It really helps with it reaching others who might find it useful.
While I have your attention, I’ll go ahead and plug our free 30-day Group Accountability Program on Discord. We’ve changed the format a bit, to be more effective than ever. More info here.
Here’s what our past registrants have said about their progress:
Completely changed my life. It's actually kind of mind-blowing to think it's only been a month. A month ago I was struggling with procrastination and addiction. I was actively aware that the things I was doing were detrimental to my goals but it was like I didn't care, I didn't have any discipline at all.
Now here I am being so productive I'm scheduling my days down to half an hour and can really see my goals becoming more obtainable by the day. I've been through some shit this past month but it's nice to finally be on the other side with insanely positive changes. I sincerely thank Simon and Suket (the admin) for setting this up. If anyone is on the edge about this group, feel free to PM me, and ill tell you my experience more specifically.
Dylan T.
I have never been so sure that I am on the right path with the Habit Reframe method. I found this method by literally going to the r/getdisciplined wiki and going through all the featured/recommended programs. I was desperate, I had tried so much - unsuccessfully.
I feel like my life has changed for the better already. Self compassion has been a game changer for me. I was carrying so much baggage from past failures, from underachieving. It's so frustrating when you really WANT to do better, but can't seem to. It's even worse when people you love start seeing you as lazy, unmotivated, as a loser who cant be bothered with making an effort. It's been tough. I honestly believed that there was something broken inside me.
I hope you know that you are saving people's lives out here. Thank you for what you do. Reading your articles/reddit posts and watching your videos, especially the carefulness video is so emotional for me, because I struggle with exactly the same things. Thanks for being open about your struggles, it must have been a difficult choice.
I am working on my processes. I am forgiving myself every day. I have belief in myself for the first time in forever. I am being kind and patient with myself.
And it's all thanks to the habit reframe method, and the hard work you are doing to reach help others
I hope that one day I will be in a position to positively impact those around me
Thanks.
Arnold M.
I am proud of my mental health progress of being able to love myself more and be more forgiving. I have never been able to talk to myself as a close friend. I used to only reprimand myself. But now, I am finally able to give myself the time off when I need, which I am very proud of.
My biggest vice was my phone. My relationship with my phone changed in the sense where I do not feel like I am held captive of it as much as last time. I am now able to spend less time on my phone without feeling lost.
Kels M.
Be well,
Simon ㋛