The Motivation Myth (Part 5)

Alright, ready for the final part of this series on The Motivation Myth! In the last four posts, we debunked some pretty common (and harmful) beliefs about how motivation actually works. We learned that it’s not the spark that gets us started but the fuel that keeps us going once we’ve taken action. We talked about the power of process, the importance of finding a "pro" to emulate, and how to work our "number" to make success almost inevitable.

You’ve probably identified a habit you want to build, designed a process for achieving it, and figured out your "number" for tracking progress. You’re on the right track! Now, let’s look at a few more things that can help you stay the course when things get tough, because they will get tough!

# The Power of Showing Up (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)

This might seem obvious, but it’s one of the most important lessons I’ve learned: successful people do things differently from other people. They show up when others make excuses. They push through when others give up.

“Everyone says they go the extra mile. Almost no one actually goes there, though. And when someone does actually go there, they usually think, “Wait. No one else is here. Why am I doing this?” And they leave, never to return.”

It’s tempting to fit in, to go with the flow, to do just enough to get by. But when we embrace the power of doing things differently, of going that extra mile, that’s where we find the greatest opportunities!

This might mean:

Staying late to finish a project: While your classmates are out having fun (I know it’s hard to say no to those Friday night plans!), you’re putting in those extra hours.
Waking up early to work on your business: While the rest of the world is sleeping, you’re getting a head start on building your dreams.
Going to the gym even when you’re tired: Skipping a workout is easy but sticking to your routine, even when you don’t feel like it, shows you’re serious about your goals!

It’s about choosing those actions that support your long-term vision, even when they're not the most convenient or enjoyable in the moment. This is what sets apart the "professionals" from the "amateurs" – professionals stick to the schedule; amateurs let life get in the way.

# Serial Achievement - Becoming Uncontainable

The more we achieve, the more we realize we’re capable of.

Here’s what Jeff Haden calls “serial achievement”:

"The beauty of serial achievement is that over time you become more than one thing. You can be a Web designer and a musician and an athlete… and then you can become something else as well, knowing that when you have achieved a certain level of skill or experience you can work to achieve something else."

It’s not about mastering just one thing; it’s about constantly exploring, learning, and expanding our horizons. It’s about becoming that “and” person who embraces new challenges, develops new skills, and lives a multifaceted and fulfilling life.

And here's another important point: those skills we learn? They don't disappear even when we move on to something else. They stick with us. It’s like building a toolkit for life!

"Plus, the skill you gain will not be wasted if or when you move on to another pursuit… While over time you will naturally lose some degree of proficiency, you will always retain the core skill and will be able to quickly tune yourself up again if necessary."

# Personal Serial Achievement - The Key to Happiness

“If you’re like most people, none of them are [professional goals]. Not one involves career or money. Instead, they’re personal goals. You feel less fulfilled because you haven’t achieved them. And someday you’ll sit on your porch and deeply regret that you never did – and never tried.”

These personal goals could be anything:

Learning to play an instrument
Writing a novel
Traveling the world
Mastering a new language
Starting a creative project
Building stronger relationships
Improving your fitness and health
Getting involved in your community

It’s easy to push these aside when we’re busy with schoolwork, but they’re what ultimately make life feel meaningful and fulfilling. They’re what we’ll regret not doing when we look back on our lives.

The Pain of Regret

This is the key point:

“A quote often attributed to Jim Rohn goes, There are two types of pain you will go through in life: the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.”

When we think about success, we often focus on the work, the effort, the sacrifices. But the pain of not working, of not pursuing those dreams, is a far heavier burden to carry.

So don’t wait! Start working on those personal goals now, while you have the time and energy. Yes, it will require discipline and effort but I guarantee it'll be worth it!

# The Bottom Line: It's About the Plan

We often focus on the outcome: getting good grades, landing that dream job, winning championships, becoming millionaires – all that good stuff. But the truth is, focusing on those big, shiny outcomes can actually paralyze us! It’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose motivation when we’re only looking at the finish line.

Here’s a quote that captures this perfectly:

“Don’t tell me your goals. Don’t tell me your dreams. Tell me your plan.”

Successful people don’t just dream; they execute. They have a plan and they relentlessly work that plan, step-by-step, day by day.

Remember that "number" we talked about in the last post? It’s part of that plan. It’s the daily action, the consistent effort that moves us toward our goals.

And here’s a crucial insight:

“Everyone starts at the bottom. Everyone starts out insecure and hesitant and uncertain. The only difference between incredibly successful people and the rest of us? They found a way to put aside their uncertainties . . . and try.”

It’s not about being born with some special talent or a bottomless well of willpower, it’s about putting those doubts aside and doing the work.

Think about it: have you ever achieved anything worthwhile without putting in the effort? Probably not!

So if you’re feeling intimidated or overwhelmed by a goal, take a step back and remember those who have come before you. Every successful person started somewhere, faced their own fears and anxieties, and found a way to overcome them.

It's not about being perfect, it's about putting in the reps, even when it’s hard, even when you don't feel like it.

Here’s a story that illustrates this perfectly.

One of the most fun conversations I’ve had in recent years was with NASCAR driver Ross Chastain… “The first time I went to Texas Motor Speedway,” Ross told me, “was my fourth race in the Truck Series. Texas is an extremely fast, 1.5-mile track. I had heard that people run wide open at Texas. The first time out on the track I was all set to run wide open . . . and I lifted. I just couldn’t help it. I came in, told the team the truck was a little tight [meaning the front end didn’t want to turn at speed], they made some adjustments, and I went back out. “I thought, ‘Okay, now I need to run wide open.’ But when I got on the back stretch my right leg started shaking . . . so I took my hand and pushed my leg down to keep the gas pedal floored. I basically ran that lap with one hand on my leg.”

Even professional athletes, at the top of their game, experience fear and doubt. It's part of the human experience. But successful people find ways to work through those feelings. They don’t let them hold them back.

Remember:

“If you have doubts or fears, you’re not alone. Everyone else has, or had, the same fears. Take heart in that fact—and then hold your leg down and keep charging. You’ll find you had nothing to be afraid of…and that you can overcome other fears you may have."

Here's the mindset shift that can make all the difference: stop focusing on what you lack and start embracing what you have, right now, today.

It's about finding a "process" that works for you, a "pro" to guide you, and then committing to "working your number" with a relentless focus.

So how do we do this? Here are a few things to consider as we go forward on our own personal “achievement” journeys:

# Embrace the Discomfort:

The easy way rarely leads to anything worthwhile. The things we procrastinate on, the things we find boring or difficult, are often the things that will have the biggest impact on our lives. Embrace those challenges!

# Let Go of the Past:

It’s easy to get stuck dwelling on past failures. We've all been there! But the past is just training; it doesn't define us. Learn from those experiences, extract the lessons, then move forward.

# Focus on What You Can Control:

There will always be things outside our control – bad luck, circumstances, even other people’s opinions. Obsessing over these things only wastes energy. Focus on what you can control – your effort, your attitude, your actions, your choices, your mindset.

# Don't Wait for Inspiration:

If you’re waiting for that magical “aha” moment, you’ll be waiting forever. Take action first and the inspiration will follow. Trust the process, put in the work, and the motivation will take care of itself.

# Become a Pro:

Remember that “professional serial achiever” we talked about? Pick a skill, a pursuit, a goal that excites you and embrace that identity. It could be a student, athlete, writer, artist, entrepreneur, whatever you choose! The more you commit to those daily actions and embody that identity, the less you’ll need to force yourself. It’ll become part of who you are.

# Work Your Number, Every Single Day:

This is how professionals do it. Forget those big, scary goals and focus on what you need to do today. Show up, do the work, even when it’s boring, even when you don’t feel like it. Consistency is key, and those small wins will build up over time.

# The Power of "I Don't"

A lot of times we give ourselves excuses by saying things like, “I can’t study today, I’m too tired," or "I can’t start that business yet, I don’t have enough money”.

Instead, try this powerful shift: Replace “I can’t” with “I don’t”.

“I don’t skip workouts.” “I don’t eat junk food.” “I don’t miss deadlines.”

It might seem like a small change, but it creates a shift in our mindset. We’re not giving ourselves a way out. We’re committing to a certain identity, a way of being in the world that aligns with our goals.

It's not about being perfect, but about taking those actions, even in small ways, that reinforce who we want to be.

# Final Challenge: Becoming Your Best Self

Think about those two goals we talked about in the first post – one you wanted to start and one you wanted to stop doing. You’ve already designed a system for achieving the first one. Now, it’s time to apply everything we've learned and tackle the second.

Here are a few things to consider:

Why is this habit holding you back? What negative consequences is it causing in your life?
What are the real benefits of quitting? How will your life be better?
What’s your plan for overcoming those temptations and cravings? (Use all the tips from previous posts!)
Who’s your support system? Who can you turn to for help?

Remember, you’ve got this! You’ve learned how to create motivation, design systems, and even hack your brain to make those good habits stick.

It’s not about being perfect, it’s about making those little improvements every single day and eventually becoming the person you aspire to be.

So go out there, make those goals a reality, and live a life you’re proud of!

You got this!

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