We've been led to believe that motivation is the key to maintaining success. But the truth may be that desire might not always strike when you have a demanding project with a deadline nearing, or when your alarm wakes you at 6am to exercise before you start your day.
Motivation is like a fleeting thought. It's tested when at 6am your alarms are going off to get you up to work out; but it's cold outside and the bed is at its warmest and softest. Now tomorrow. Tomorrow is the day everything will change. Tomorrow you'd have had a full nights rest and will leap gracefully out of bed and run to the gym. You'll fight, power through, and change all tomorrow.
Motivation is defined by the desire to do something. But often times, it feels as though we are only eager at the thought of productivity and not at actually doing the work. The secret to keeping momentum and getting yourself up every morning is the want and will to succeed. That's the only thing that will push you through. You must push yourself past the first 25 minutes of exhaustion, of uninspiring work and be patient enough to fall into your flow.
The feeling of accomplishment you feel after you've completed your project, workout, or responsibility is truly unexplainable. Being productive and knowing you're getting great things done is a feeling we should feel everyday.
That's all you need. Not this silly idea of 'motivation' and fancy quotes to get you riled up. All you need is the want to accomplish something, and pushing hard until it feels natural and time is no longer an active factor. Sticking to a accomplishing a goal takes a lot of emotional strength to want to do. All it requires is consistency, discipline, and being present. You have those three things and anything you set your mind to is possible.
You must find what is worth it to you. When you are at the point of wanting to push yourself towards a goal, but you're feeling unmotivated to act, you're going to ask yourself how much this means to you. That reminder is what is going to propel you forward, get you on your feet, with a clear head. It is in that moment that everything will actually change. It's that moment that defines you.
Imagine if you lived a life like you dreamed. If you got up every morning, exercised and took care of your body first, cleared your mind and properly got ready for your day. There's a calmness in your step. You feel energized and refreshed, and at ease because you're not uncomfortably rushing through your day. This is what it feels like to have control in your life. The rest of your day naturally follows how you started. Keep this momentum and performing your responsibilities won't feel like chores anymore, they will feel necessary and normal. That is the secret to the real 'motivation' we all strive for.