Jack of All Trades, Master of Motivation (Why You Need Both to Succeed, Part 3)

Aug 8 (edited) in Self Improvement & Motivation

In the last post, we learned that to create lasting motivation, we need to focus on building systems rather than getting hung up on those big, scary goals. Remember that? We even talked about creating a process for that ONE habit you want to build. Hopefully, you did that. If not, get on it!

Now, here's a big one, you don't need other people to support you. It might sound counterintuitive but the constant seeking of support can actually prevent us from achieving our goals.

Here's why. When we announce our goals to the world, it's almost like our brains decide we’ve already accomplished something. We get that initial rush of approval and attention and then? We lose motivation!

It’s like telling all your friends you're going to run a marathon and then getting pats on the back and “Good luck!” before you’ve even laced up your shoes. By the time you actually start training, that initial buzz has faded, and you’re left staring at those 26.2 miles feeling totally overwhelmed.

Here’s a quote from the book:

"It also means you’re less likely to someday actually be on the trail, because 'when other people take notice of an individual’s identity-related behavioral intention, this gives the individual a premature sense of possessing the aspired-to identity.'"

Or in plain English, talking about doing something makes us feel like we’ve already done it, even when we haven’t.

# It's About Who We Become

We're not just trying to do things; we’re trying to become something. We want to become runners, writers, musicians, entrepreneurs, artists, researchers – the best versions of ourselves.

But when we focus on seeking external validation (those likes, comments, and pats on the back), we lose sight of the real goal: becoming that person we aspire to be.

# Don't Wait for Willpower

The other thing we tend to do is wait for willpower to strike. We think successful people were just born with this magical ability to push through anything. But that’s not true! It’s not about willpower.

"Exceptional willpower isn’t a quality you are born with, like double-jointed thumbs. Sure, some people may be more self-disciplined than you, but it’s unlikely they were born with some certain special something inside them. Instead, they’ve found ways to make decisions that don’t require willpower and determination. They seem to have exceptional willpower, but not because they actually have more. Instead, they’ve learned how to best use what they have."

Successful people aren’t superhuman; they’ve just learned to work smarter, not harder. They’ve built systems that support their goals, reduced friction, and made those good habits more automatic. They’re not relying on willpower; they're using their mental energy strategically.

This is a game-changer! It means that instead of constantly fighting against ourselves, we can design our lives to support our goals and make those good choices easier.

# You Don't Need to Find Your Passion First

You might be thinking, “Okay, but what if my goal is huge? What if it takes years of hard work and I’m not even sure where to start?”. That’s a good question.

But you don’t need to have all the answers to get started! In fact, obsessing over finding your passion can actually paralyze you.

Here’s what Kirk Hammett, lead guitarist of Metallica said about finding his passion:

“All it really takes is a desire to keep on doing it. Finding a passion comes from sticking with it, and that is easy when you work hard to keep getting better. And before long, you realize you’ve gotten passionate about the passion.”

He didn’t wait for a divine inspiration to strike; he just started playing, learning, and getting better! Over time, that passion developed as he saw the results of his efforts.

So, don’t overthink it! Pick something you enjoy right now, even if it seems small or insignificant. You don’t need to know where it’ll lead, you just need to start. The passion will develop as you learn and grow.

# Become a "Professional Serial Achiever"

Here’s where we start to break free from those limiting beliefs about motivation and success. Jeff Haden suggests this radical idea: become a “professional serial achiever.”

What does that mean? It’s about embracing this truth:

"In time you “become” the thing you do."

It’s not just about checking things off a list, it’s about embracing those identities: the athlete, the musician, the writer, the entrepreneur – the person we aspire to be!

Here's the thing, it’s easier to quit when a goal feels like something separate from us. It’s just something we’re trying to do. But when it becomes part of who we are, when it aligns with our identity, quitting becomes a lot harder. It’s like quitting on ourselves.

# Find Your Pro

So how do we do this? We need a guide, a role model, a "pro"! It doesn't have to be someone famous, just someone who embodies the qualities and skills we admire.

But this is the fun part, choosing our pro can be a powerful act of self-discovery. Who do we admire and why? What do their actions and choices reveal about our own aspirations?

Once we’ve found our “pro,” we can learn from their example, adapt their strategies, and even incorporate some of their habits and routines into our own lives. It’s like having a personal blueprint for becoming the best version of ourselves!

Think about it: