The Action Formula: Why Motivation Is Something You Do, Not Something You Have

Have you ever found yourself waiting for motivation to strike? Perhaps you’ve stared at a blank page, hoping inspiration would suddenly appear, or looked at your running shoes, wishing you’d magically feel the urge to put them on. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—but you might be thinking about motivation all wrong.

Motivation isn’t a feeling that randomly visits you. It’s not a personality trait some people are blessed with while others aren’t. Motivation is actually something you create through deliberate action—by aligning your purpose, managing your energy, and taking small, consistent steps forward.

This perspective shift could be the key that unlocks your potential and transforms how you approach your goals. Let’s explore why motivation is something you do, not something you have, and how you can generate it daily.

The Motivation Misconception

Many of us fall into the trap of thinking: “Once I feel motivated, I’ll start working toward my goals.” We wait for that perfect storm of inspiration and energy before taking action. But what if we’ve got it backward?

The truth is, motivation often follows action, not the other way around. When you take even the smallest step toward your goals, you create momentum. That momentum generates positive feelings, which in turn fuel more action—and that’s when motivation truly begins to flow.

Think about it: How many times have you dreaded starting a workout, only to feel energized and positive once you’re ten minutes in? That’s not coincidence—it’s the action-motivation cycle at work.

The Three Pillars of Active Motivation

Creating motivation requires aligning three key elements:

1. Purpose: Your Compelling “Why”

Motivation begins with clarity about what matters to you. Without a meaningful purpose, even the most disciplined person will eventually run out of steam.

Your purpose answers the question: “Why am I doing this?” When your actions connect to deeply held values or important goals, you tap into intrinsic motivation—the most powerful and sustainable form of drive.

To align with purpose:

• Reflect on how your daily tasks connect to your larger vision
• Regularly remind yourself of the impact your work will have
• Write down your “why” and keep it visible where you work

One client told me how she transformed her approach to learning a new language. Initially, she struggled with consistency until she shifted from “I should learn Spanish” to “Learning Spanish will allow me to connect with my grandmother’s heritage and speak with relatives I’ve never been able to communicate with.” This purpose-driven approach made all the difference.

2. Energy: Managing Your Physical and Mental Resources

Motivation requires energy—both physical and mental. Even the most purposeful goal will remain unrealized if you’re constantly depleted.

How to align your energy with motivation:

• Identify your natural energy peaks during the day and schedule important work during these times
• Ensure adequate sleep, nutrition, and physical activity
• Build in recovery periods to prevent burnout
• Minimize energy drains like excessive social media or negative people

Consider how motivation to work on your side business might differ after a good night’s sleep versus after staying up until 2 AM. By managing your energy, you create the conditions where motivation can thrive.

3. Small Actions: Creating Momentum Through Doable Steps

The final piece of the motivation formula is breaking down your goals into small, manageable actions. When tasks feel overwhelming, motivation plummets. Conversely, completing small steps creates a sense of progress that fuels further action.

To leverage the power of small actions:

• Break larger goals into specific, concrete tasks that take 25 minutes or less
• Focus on process goals (write for 15 minutes) rather than outcome goals (finish the chapter)
• Create visible ways to track your progress
• Celebrate small wins to reinforce the positive cycle

How to Align Motivation Daily

Now that we understand the components of motivation, let’s explore practical ways to boost motivation by aligning purpose, energy, and small actions in your daily life:

Start Your Day with Purpose Alignment

Before diving into your to-do list, take five minutes to reconnect with your “why.” Ask yourself: “How do today’s tasks connect to what matters most to me?” This simple practice transforms mundane activities into meaningful steps toward your larger vision.

Try writing a single sentence that connects today’s work to your bigger purpose. For example: “Completing these client calls today helps build the business that will eventually fund my children’s education.”

Design Your Environment for Success

Your surroundings significantly impact your motivation levels. Create an environment that makes taking action easier:

• Remove distractions before beginning focused work
• Keep necessary tools and resources easily accessible
• Use visual cues like inspirational quotes or progress charts
• Consider how your physical space affects your energy levels

One reader shared how simply moving her yoga mat to a visible spot in her living room increased her practice frequency from once a week to nearly daily. The environment was doing some of the motivational work for her.

Implement the “Two-Minute Start” Rule

When motivation feels low, commit to just two minutes of work on your task. Often, starting is the hardest part, but once you begin, continuing becomes much easier. This technique bypasses the need for motivation and lets action create the momentum you need.

This approach works because it reduces the activation energy required to begin. You’re not committing to the entire project—just a tiny first step that often leads to much more.

Create Accountability Through Commitment

Tell someone else about your intentions or schedule regular check-ins with an accountability partner. The social commitment creates external motivation that can help bridge gaps when internal motivation wanes.

Research shows we’re more likely to follow through on commitments we’ve made public because we want to maintain consistency between our words and actions.

The Compounding Effect of Motivation in Action

The beauty of treating motivation as something you do rather than something you have is that it creates a positive spiral. Each aligned action builds confidence and momentum, making the next action easier.

Over time, these consistent small steps compound dramatically. The person who writes just 300 words daily will have a complete novel in less than a year. The individual who practices a language for 15 minutes daily will achieve conversational fluency within months.

Remember that motivation fluctuates naturally—even for the most accomplished individuals. The difference is that high achievers don’t wait for motivation to appear; they create it through purposeful action.

Your Motivation Action Plan

Today, I challenge you to shift from waiting for motivation to creating it:

1. Identify one important goal you’ve been postponing
2. Connect it clearly to your deeper purpose or values
3. Schedule it during your natural energy peak
4. Break it down into a ridiculously small first step
5. Commit to that step today, regardless of how you feel

Success isn’t about having constant motivation—it’s about taking consistent action aligned with your purpose, even when motivation is low. Because ultimately, success is not what you know—it’s who you become through the daily choices you make.

What small step will you take today to create your motivation?