Before you start reading on, I can assure you: this is not clickbait. Motivation really is a myth — and I’ll show you why.
Let’s play a game of true or false.
True or false? Each and every one of us is procrastinating on one or another task right now. True.
True or false? Too often do we feel unmotivated to finish or even start a task. Of course it’s true.
True or false? You need motivation to start anything in order to finish it. False… now that one must have come as quite a surprise.
This leaves you pondering and asking yourself: why? The answer lies in the debunking of the very myth — motivation. To many, this would seem like a sceptical perspective of a 14-year-old intending to lure you out of a state of complacency. But in reality, motivation is only an ephemeral concept that fails to withstand the innate tendencies of human behaviour and mind.
Before drawing any conclusions, it is imperative that we unravel the essence of motivation to its core. So, what exactly is motivation? Motivation is regarded as the act of stimulating one’s desire to achieve a goal — to summon up this sort of mystical and elusive energy that would propel an individual to “spontaneously start being productive”. Are you beginning to see the utopian nature of this concept?
In an ideal world, this notion may sound like the ultimate key to unlocking productivity and a robust catalyst for action. But here lies the trap. The motivation trap — a trap too many of us have unwittingly fallen into.
Dr. Russ Harris, an American psychotherapist, explained it most effectively when he said, “we wait to feel motivated before we take any action.” Now, what’s the problem with that? Well, it sets in motion a vicious cycle wherein, if you only act when you feel “motivated” enough to do so, you may find yourself waiting indefinitely for the opportune moment to strike. This results in an accumulation of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential — a world where backwardness dominates.
Many people fall victim to the motivation trap, perpetually seeking external inspiration to drive their actions. However, relying solely on motivation can result in inconsistent behaviour and procrastination. Being a transient emotion, it often fails to provide sustained momentum. Consequently, it comes in intervals, and the frequent instances wherein an individual lacks “motivation” can be nothing short of a bane.
Consider this scenario: have you ever felt too lazy to work on a project due the next day, left wanting to go to sleep instead? A situation like this is all too familiar for many, especially for an early bird who yearns for their sleep like me. But have you noticed that once you start studying, your focus and energy gradually increase, and you become more determined to finish the task at hand? This explains the underlying truth behind productivity: motivation does not precede action, and instead, it is an outcome of it. That sense of determination and accomplishment derived after or during a task is motivation. So ask yourself: how many times have you been challenged with a seemingly ‘impossible’ task, only to discover that taking a few steps towards that goal makes you more motivated to complete it?
But if motivation is, in fact, a myth, then the question still lies: what truly facilitates success and productivity? The answer lies in a shift of mindset from motivation to discipline. Discipline, unlike motivation, isn’t reliant on a fleeting urge to suddenly initiate work. It’s a routine –a habit developed with dedication and persistent work. It entails establishing precise objectives, putting together a meticulous schedule, and adhering to it despite how “motivated” you are. Admittedly, it is undeniably arduous in nature, but it also produces results like motivation never could. For someone who prioritises outcomes, discipline becomes indispensable.
Discipline is the backbone of achievement. Its objective is to completely cut the link between two mutually exclusive concepts, in this case: feelings and action. The first step to fostering life-long productivity is to internally register that your feelings should be inconsequential to the tasks that you consciously want to do. Don’t feel like doing it? Do it anyway. This way, the habit of actively taking action and prioritising goals is slowly cultivated.
In essence, while motivation may provide a temporary spark, it’s discipline that fuels long-term achievement, success, and productivity. This paradigm shift may be hard to fathom at first; however, over time, it will seamlessly engrave itself into your routine and lifestyle.
Now, about that one seemingly Herculean and ‘impossible’ task you are yet to finish. Embrace its challenge, take the first step, and let discipline do its work. What are you waiting for?
