Chapter 1: Understanding Motivation Dips

There are moments when the drive to accomplish tasks simply vanishes. Today happens to be one of those days for me. So, what should you do during such times? Personally, I begin with minor tasks. As I sat down to pen this article, the day's events left me uninspired. I struggled to find a specific topic that ignited my enthusiasm to write. The motivation just wasn’t there.

However, the beauty of starting small is that it builds momentum, which can eventually yield significant results. If someone had told me five years ago that I would write over 300 articles in a single year, I would have thought they were joking. Similarly, if you had suggested a decade ago that I would be speaking to audiences about leadership, I would have laughed it off. Fifteen years ago, if you had mentioned that I would receive accolades for my ideas, I would have been hard to find—shy and unsure of my worth.

So, what changed for me? It all boiled down to taking small steps consistently. I began to approach my life with a more open mindset, thinking about what I could achieve. My journey began in accounting, but as I transitioned into leadership, I started noticing various challenges. This sparked my interest in diverse fields, including psychophysiology, an area I once believed I had no aptitude for in school.

Two years ago, if you told me I would be reading scientific research papers to help others improve their leadership skills, I would have likely questioned the necessity of it. Yet, it has proven invaluable. All these experiences were possible because I embraced the philosophy of small beginnings.

I started by reading books. When I found them insufficient, I enrolled in courses. If the courses didn’t delve deeply enough, I pursued certifications. Those certifications revealed flaws that guided me to explore other industries. Recognizing the issues in those sectors compelled me to dig deeper into research to uncover the real insights.

Many people mistakenly think they grasp research findings by skimming titles, subtitles, and conclusions. I’ve realized that these elements can often be misleading. However, the core content and meta-analyses provide clearer insights. This understanding didn’t come to me overnight; it was a gradual process fueled by taking one small step after another, often in the absence of motivation—just like today.

When you take that initial small step, you begin to learn, adapt, and evolve. Each move you make can appear more significant compared to those who remain stagnant. The harsh truth is that success isn’t inherently challenging; rather, many people hesitate to take that first step. If you remain in one place for too long, everything seems distant because you lack the experience of movement.

Once you start taking small actions, you realize that it’s more manageable than you initially thought. This doesn’t imply that it’s effortless, but it’s certainly more attainable than it appears. For those who find writing daunting, the answer isn’t to tackle an entire article at once. Instead, begin by writing a paragraph. If that’s too ambitious, write a single sentence. If that still feels overwhelming, just jot down a word. That’s the approach I took with this article. I began with one sentence, then another. Before I knew it, I had over 600 words in about 15 minutes.

If I maintained that pace for an hour, I would produce over 2,400 words. Imagine doing that for an entire day—you’d accumulate more than 19,200 words over a week, which could easily translate into a book! Can you see how swiftly progress can be made? But it all hinges on taking that first step.

So, what should you do when motivation eludes you? Begin. Start small, but most importantly, just start. Then, observe the distance you can cover.

Chapter 2: Practical Steps to Regain Motivation

In this video, "10 Ways to Get Motivated (When You Have NO Motivation)," discover practical strategies to reignite your drive and push through those unmotivated days.

The second video, "9 Small Ways to Get Motivated (When You Have NO Motivation)," offers simple yet effective tips to help you find your motivation when it feels out of reach.