Motivation is a Myth (Part 2)

In our last discussion, we talked about motivation and how it's not what we usually think. Motivation isn't something that gets us started; it's actually a result of our actions, those small, satisfying wins we experience as we make progress toward a goal.

So if motivation comes after we start, how do we get over that initial hump? We need a solid plan, a process we can trust, a roadmap for reaching our goals. As Jeff Haden, author of The Motivation Myth, puts it: We need to create a system and then forget about the goal.

Remember how we talked about why goals actually kind of suck? Here’s a quick recap:

Achieving a goal is only a momentary change: Cleaning your room? If you don’t change your messy habits, it’s gonna be a disaster again in a week. It’s like, “I finally got that A+ on the test! Now what?” It’s fleeting.
Goals restrict our happiness: We delay happiness, thinking "Once I hit this goal, then I'll finally be happy”. This makes us always strive for something in the future instead of appreciating the present.
Goals are at odds with long-term progress: What happens once you reach that goal? Do you just… stop? It's like a yo-yo, you reach that target weight, then gain it all back! Systems are about the long game, about continuous improvement!

You've probably heard of "SMART" goals – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound. While SMART goals are great for setting targets, they don't actually help us achieve anything! They often make us focus too much on the outcome and not enough on the process.

"The purpose of setting goals is to win the game. The purpose of building systems is to continue playing the game."

Think of it like a football coach aiming for a championship. Their system is how they recruit players, run practice, develop strategies, and adapt throughout the season. If they only focus on winning and neglect building a solid system, they're probably going to lose.

It’s the same with us, whether it’s about acing those exams, building a business, or even just becoming a better version of ourselves. We can't just focus on the outcome; we need a system for getting there.

From Goals to Processes

Let's break this down. Say your goal is to run a marathon (which might be on your bucket list). That’s a great goal, but it’s pretty huge, especially if you haven’t run much before. Don't think about those 26.2 miles right now, Think about today.

Set Your Goal: Decide specifically what you want to achieve (like running a marathon).
Create Your Process: This is where you find a plan you can trust. Find a training schedule that aligns with your fitness level and rework your daily routine to make it happen.
Forget About The Goal: Seriously, stop obsessing about the finish line and focus on the next step in your process. Today, it might be running for 30 minutes.
Rinse and Repeat! Work the process each day, celebrate those small successes, and trust that if you stick with it, you’ll eventually get there.

The beauty of having a solid process is that you can take your eyes off the goal and focus on the day-to-day actions. You trust that your process will get you there!

"Make this your mantra where goals are concerned: 'I will set it… and then I will forget it.'"

This approach works for any goal, not just sports or fitness. Whether it's acing exams, starting a business, or mastering a new skill, the principle remains the same: create a system, focus on the process, and let the results follow.

But I Don't Have a Coach

You might be thinking: “But I’m not a marathon runner! I don’t have a coach to design my process!”. Good news - you don’t need a coach for this. It’s about setting your own goals, finding plans that work for you, and adjusting as you learn and grow.

Here are some ideas for how to find a process, adapted for students like us:

Find a Study Schedule: For acing exams, tons of resources offer study plans based on different learning styles or subjects. Experiment and find what works for you.
Start a Business: Want to become an entrepreneur? Tons of books, websites, and online courses offer step-by-step guidance for everything from ideation to marketing to launching your product. Start small and build from there!
Master a Skill: It could be anything – learning an instrument, writing code, becoming a graphic designer, you name it! Break down the skill into smaller steps, find tutorials, join online communities and practice, practice, practice!

The Power of Process:

“If your process is one designed to get you where you eventually want to go, all you have to do is work your process—and sticking with your process is so much easier when you create that self-reinforcing feedback loop of Success → Motivation → More Success → More Motivation → More Success.”

Remember that ONE habit you wanted to start doing? Now’s the time to get serious about designing a process that will help you build it.

Here’s a challenge:

Write down the ONE habit you want to incorporate into your life. (Be specific! Not just “work out more,” but “lift weights for 30 minutes, three times per week”)
Find a plan or routine that aligns with your current level and your goals.
Break that plan down into daily or weekly actions.
Adjust as you go: Track your progress, reflect on what's working, and don't be afraid to change things if needed.

Don't just read this and forget about it! Write down your habit, find a plan, and get started on building that system today. Let me know in the comments what your habit is and what process you're using.

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