It’s Not Just About Motivation
Mar 3rd, 2021
4 minute read
Why inspiration fades but commitment endures.
Written by Noah Tile,
Registered Psychotherapist
The Typical Story:
There is a common frustration that people experience in life, related to their motivation and inspiration. Here is what usually happens. We have a flash of insight; a lightning bolt of inspiration allows us to see the possibilities of what could be. We resolvve (pun intended) to change, to take on a new set of responsibilities. It feels good; we even like we’ve accomplished something.
And we have to some extent. We are inspired; however, inspiration wanes. It is like drinking an energy drink or the morning coffee jolt; it gives us a quick boost, but it fades. Once it fades, we think:
“If I could just go back to that pristine moment of calming clarity, I could really do what I need to do.”
But it’s not true. Inspiration is not the same as a commitment to valued actions.
Inspiration is meant to stir us to move towards doing what is most important and valuable even as the fleeting feeling of motivation leaves. It is that first push someone gives us on the swing; but it is up to us to keep up the momentum.
Values and Commitment Over Motivation
Motivation is emotion-based; but generally, we should not do things, only when we feel like it. Motivation feels invigorating, putting in the work less so at first. By chasing the right feeling state, we limit our world at that moment to seeking pleasure and avoiding discomfort. This will not take us far in the long term, as it keeps us stuck in a narrow, short-term mindset.
“Motivation is a gift and spark that we must use to do the real work when the felt sense is no longer palpable.”
Think about how many important things you do every day without feeling motivated. Brushing your teeth, cleaning the kitchen, getting out of bed, to name a few. You do these things because they are important, because you care about them, because they align with your higher values, such as cleanliness and self-care.
If you want to make enduring positive change and growth, the best thing to do, is to commit, with firmness and regularity, to your values, to whatever important tasks you want to do, so they become as natural as these other vital parts of your routine. You appreciate moments of insight and inspiration, but that is just bonus content.
Commitment to doing what is right is better than always chasing the right feeling to do the right things.
Easy Tools to Apply
So here are three things we can do to deal with the issue of fleeting motivation:
When you have a moment of inspiration, write it down; capture as much of the feeling as you can, as descriptively as possible. Write down the convictions that have come your way.
Review this captured inspiration during the daily commitment of doing the work, the daily grind of what you were motivated to do. You can also (quite literally) watch motivational videos as part of your morning boost, in service of getting down to the work.
When boredom, frustration, fatigue, or any other emotion arises during the task, take a breath, pause, and reconsider why you are doing what you are doing. You can even recall a positive experience from the past when you followed through. This can give you the strength to persist.
“Commitment to doing what is right is better than always chasing the right feeling to do the right things.”
Whether you are trying to exercise, write, speak kindlier to others, or anything in between. Whatever it may be, take the moment of inspiration to build conviction and commitment to the daily work. Then you will reap the longer-term rewards of living with this level of integrity, for yourself and the people you love.
Hope this helps!
