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The original was posted on /r/lifeprotips by /u/RedTsar97 on 2026-01-02 16:33:20+00:00.
I used to see-saw in btw feeling low, to getting motivated to do something about it but it never lasted long.
Some mornings I woke up just bleh. Not sad. Not happy. Just... empty. On those days, waiting for motivation is like waiting for a bus that's never coming.
So I stopped waiting.
I put a schedule in place, a no brainer one instead of relying on motivation
Motivation is "I feel like going to the gym today!"
Schedule is "It's 7 AM. I go to the gym at 7 AM. Time to go."
Motivation is emotionally driven . While a schedule is a pre-made decision.
You can't control your feelings. But you CAN control your decisions.
Second thing that was failing me was me, basically my high expectations
I was setting the bar too high!!!
I'm going to run 5 miles every day!
I'm going to read for an hour!
I'm going to meditate for 30 minutes!
These goals require motivation. When I didn't feel like it, I didn't do it.
So, I made the requirement so small that I found it ridiculously easy to carry on
5 push-ups (not 20)
5 pages of reading (not a chapter)
5 minute of meditation (not 30)
(Also planned a day before to reduce the mental block)
Once I did the minimum, I usually did more. But even if I didn't,I kept the habit alive.
It has been 6ish months of me showing up even when I didn't feel all happy about it.
I haven't moved mountains but I have shown progress in my mental and physical health, my financial health and also my relationships.