Motivation vs. Habit

Every time I complain about my lack of progress toward my goals, I’m told I need to get motivated.

<insert term meaning fecal material from a male bovine>

Motivation is NOT what I need. I need BETTER HABITS.

Personal development coach Jim Rohm once wrote:
“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”
He’s right.

Motivation is temporary. It can start you on the right path, but it dribbles away in the face of boredom, discomfort, and distraction. I was wonderfully motivated when I got up at 6am. By mid-morning, my get up and go got up and went. I still haven’t completed any of the tasks I set for myself today, although I’ve started at least four of them.

Instead of motivation, I’m going to cultivate habits, one at a time. It worked for household tasks when I started following Flylady several years ago. I need to get back on track with that, and then figure out how to make the same system work for professional projects.

Habits.
Baby steps.
I can do anything for 15 minutes at a time.
Yeah!