If you have been relying on motivation to come and change your life, here is some bad news: Motivation is unreliable!
It ghosts you. It shows up late. Sometimes it doesn’t even text back.
Shift your focus to systems. Systems do not care how you feel, they just, well……..work.
Myth Busting
There seems to be a motivational myth. It feels like the magical ingredient for success. The rush of energy and enthusiasm that you get after watching that inspiring TED talk or reading that amazing book.
So where is the problem?
Inconsistency.
It fades fast – noticed that?!
It is not there at 5.30am when your alarm goes off
So if your success plan currently depends on you ‘feeling like it’, you are almost guaranteed to lose as soon as you don’t.
Why Systems?
Systems beat motivation every time. They provide us with repeatable processes that make action inevitable.
A workout schedule in your calendar beats “exercise when I feel like it”. Prepared meals in the fridge beat “healthy when I feel like it and if I have time”. A set writing block every day beats “write when inspired”.
Systems remove choice. The best bit; when choice is gone, so is procrastination.
Sticky Systems
How then, do we start to build systems that stick and are sure to benefit us?
Firstly, it is on you to identify and define what habit you want to build. Simply chose one that would move you towards you goal. Do not try to come up with five, or ten things. Pick one.
Next step for you is to pre-decide or automate as much as possible to help avoid later decision fatigue. Put your workout’s in your calendar and view them like a meeting you cannot move or skip. Lay your clothes out or pack your bag the night before. Batch cook when you have the time.
Now we have some momentum. We must capitalise on that now and start to attach some new habits. Habit stacking is powerful. “After I make my morning coffee, I will write down my one thing I need to do today that will make everything else either easier or not neccessary. Combining James Clear and Gary Keller/Jay Papasan. Now we are also using what we have learnt and bringing it into action. Seeing how these small steps that may seem oversimplified as singular, start to become seriously powerful when combined?
Finally, make it easy to start and hard to skip. Reduce the friction of doing the thing. Increase the friction for skipping it.
Gym clothes ready = easy start
Hardest part is putting your trainers on.
Brains
The psychology behind this is fairly simple. Motivation is a feeling. Systems, however, are environment design. Feelings are slippery, changeable; environments are stable.
Inconsistency wins when your actions are dependent on your feelings.
Consistency wins when your actions are defined by your systems.
Here Comes Growth
I admit motivation may get you started every once in a while. Systems will keep you going daily.
Stop looking for more motivation. You need to concentrate on being more engineered for success.
Want a Head Start?
The Momentum Starter Kit helps you:
Turn your vague ideas into clear, repeatable actions
Build mini-systems to allow you to capitalise on daily consistency
Create your momentum without waiting for motivation to strike
Smarter Goals. Sharper Mind. Fewer Excuses 