Stop Waiting for Motivation. Create It.

Sometimes it feels like we’re waiting for motivation to get going on things we need to do. It’s easy to forget that this isn’t really how it works. You might get some random hits of inspiration from time to time, but the real way is to create it.

The best way I know to create motivation is by generating momentum with action. The task at hand often feels like the last thing I want to do, so I look for small things I can check off toward the goal. The more small tasks that get accomplished, the more momentum builds.

To get a quick headspace change, I usually stand up, move around, and put on some music that hypes me up. I talked about my hype playlist in a previous message. It’s very powerful. Start putting together some songs that get you hyped when you hear them. Make a playlist so you can put it on random when you need it.

While the music is playing, I move around. Walk, shake out my body, anything to get the blood flowing while thinking about the task. Then I start knocking out small tasks. Momentum builds every time.

It’s not some fake hack. It really works for me and might work for you.

— Bus