Why Motivation is a Myth

I was not motivated to write this article but I wrote it anyway.

So right now, I am not feeling motivated to write this article. I have not written anything for a long time due to other commitments and deadlines to complete.

So it’s been difficult to get myself motivated to sit down, open my laptop and start typing on the keys.

For a long time, I was waiting for the right motivation to come at the right time to propel myself into action. I wanted to get that spark of energy to start writing again and to have the creativity to come up with new, interesting article ideas.

I would open up my laptop, take a browse through Medium and then open up a new story hoping for that motivation to come. It never did.

But perhaps I was viewing the idea of motivation completely wrong? Maybe motivation doesn’t really exist at all?

In the novel, ‘The Myth of Motivation’ by Jeff Haden, he writes about how motivation is not what prompts us into action, action prompts us into more action.

Here are some of his insights.

1. Motivation is Fueled by Action

The author suggests that motivation is fueled by small successes in one’s process. This challenges the idea that motivation is the feeling that drives action but rather one’s small accomplishments is what drives more action.

“Motivation isn’t something you have, motivation is what you get, automatically, from feeling good about achieving small successes” — Jeff Haden

2. The Importance of the First Step

The first action that you take is what creates that process of motivation. A way to take the first step is by doing less.

There have been times where I have felt so overwhelmed with the amount of things on my to do list that I don’t end up doing anything at all. Hence, I don’t even attempt to start something at all because the other tasks on my to do list seem equally important.

However, the author notes the importance of eliminating clutter and unnecessary tasks. This in turn, will give you the time and energy to focus on what’s really important.

“To achieve a lot more, start by doing a lot less” — Jeff Haden

3. Repetition, Repetition and More Repetition

Everyone has heard the common phrase that ‘Consistency is key’ and while practicing a skill daily is important to master it. Being consistent but while also increasing the quality of the skill is fundamental to improve and not remain stagnant.

While consistency part of the process that drives motivation, being consistency with improving the quality of a skill by gaining another element of such skill will lead to a lasting enhancement.

“Putting in the repetitions, while trying to increase the quality of repetition, is fundamental to steady and lasting improvement” — Jeff Haden

4. Creating Processes within Bigger Goals

We all know the importance of goal setting and brainstorming ideas. However, goals only provide the big idea of what you want to achieve. Every idea needs smaller milestones to achieve the bigger goal.

Therefore, the author stresses the importance of the creating smaller, more manageable processes that will lead you to your bigger goal. For example, one’s idea of getting more healthy would be the big goal, however smaller goals would include drinking water, sleeping well and going to the gym.

“Ideas without actions are not ideas, they are regrets” — Jeff Haden

5. Improve by 1 percent

The author speaks about how smaller improvements can lead to a bigger, overall improvement. This is the idea that with everything in your life, you can improve it by 1 percent. This small percentage acts as a realistic milestone.

For example, if you want to improve your writing, start by reading other authors that you enjoy, expand your vocabulary and ask other people for feedback. Eventually, these smaller milestones will culminate into the bigger goal, which is better writing.

“The 1 percent advantage focuses on breaking down all the component parts of a pursuit and then making a marginal but meaningful improvement to each one of those parts. You don’t have to become phenomenally better at one task, you can just get a teeny bit better at a number of tasks” — Jeff Haden

6. Being a Serial Achiever

The author presents a holistic view of success by suggesting that success does not only relate to business and work but also one’s personal life.

He presents the idea one’s idea of success is what makes them happy. Therefore, having success in all areas of life like health, work, financial, relationships, friends, family, spiritual and hobbies are unique for each individual. Hence, it is important to define those goals.

“Being a serial achiever is the best way to live a full, satisfying and successful professional and personal life” — Jeff Haden

Conclusion

Jeff Haden in his novel, ‘The Myth of Motivation’ puts forward the idea that motivation is propelled with action not feeling.

Here are some of his insights:

• Motivation is fueled by action
• Take the first step
• Repetition
• Small processes in bigger goals
• Improve by 1 percent
• Serial achieving