Motivation, Goals, and the Truth About Getting Stuff Done!

Let me be honest with you… I sat down to write this blog on goals and motivation for this week and thought, “I really can’t be bothered.”  I’m probably the most demotivated I’ve been in a really, really long time.

And yet - here I am. Talking to you. Showing up. Not because I’m feeling motivated, but because I’m present. (here's how to get present if you need to read more about that today!)

That’s the truth about motivation: it’s not essential. It’s just a state of mind.

When we think of motivation as the magic ingredient we need before we can do anything, we set ourselves up for frustration. I’ve been exhausted lately - between cancer treatment, parenting, and running a business - it feels like a lot. Some days I wake up thinking, “How am I going to do all this?”

But instead of trying to find a burst of inspiration, I just start small. I brush my teeth. Get dressed. Have a healthy breakfast when I can manage it. And somehow, I find myself at my desk, ready to write something useful for you.

Not because I’m fired up. But because I began.

You Can Procrastinate While Motivated, Too

We often associate procrastination with laziness or lack of drive. But I’ve had moments of massive motivation - huge dreams, big energy - and still found myself frozen.

Why? Because overwhelm can sneak in through both the back door of apathy and the front door of ambition.

That’s why presence is key. When we get present, we stop obsessing over whether we feel “ready” and just begin with what’s in front of us.

Success Isn’t Reserved for the Highly Motivated

It’s easy to look around and see others shouting about their goals: “This is my year!” “I’m going to crush it!” And hey, that’s wonderful. If you’re in a motivated state of mind - enjoy it.

But it’s not the only way forward. Right now, I’m facing chemo. I’m parenting. I’m keeping my business afloat. And I’m doing all of that with low energy and a whole lot of flexibility.

Yet I know I’ll still be successful. Because I’ll keep showing up. Not perfectly. Not always consistently. But I’ll be there - present, real, and human - right alongside you.

Reframing Goals as Desires

Let’s talk goals. There’s so much pressure to pick a target and pursue it relentlessly.

But here’s a different take: goals are simply desires.

They’re based on what we think we’ll want in the future, but life is fluid. Desires change.

I once tried drumming lessons - loved the idea, hated the reality. So I let it go. That wasn’t failure. That was clarity.

It’s okay to change your mind. In fact, it’s wise!

Ask Yourself: Why This Goal?

Whatever your goal - weight loss, more time with family, financial freedom... go deeper. Why do you want it?

For example, with health goals, it might not be about a number on the scale. It might be about having more energy, feeling strong, or nourishing your body.

When we connect to the why, the journey becomes more compassionate and less punishing.

Motivation Is Made Up (But You’re Not)

Motivation is just a description we’ve learned to attach to productivity. But it doesn’t actually cause anything.

You can move forward without it. You can feel flat and still make breakfast. You can be tired and still write the article (hello 👋).

You can feel overwhelmed and still take one small step.

That’s enough.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

I’d love to know your thoughts on this. Do you believe motivation is necessary to move forward? Do you set goals? What’s your relationship with motivation and procrastination?

Come and explore this topic more inside OUR Membership. This is exactly the kind of conversations we dive into - with space to reflect, ask questions, and hear from others who are on the same path to understanding The Three Principles that I share.

Let’s get curious together.