The Do Something Principle

Some days I feel motivated to clean the house. 

Some days I feel motivated to exercise.

Some days, I feel motivated to write and cook and tackle my to-do list and show up for my family.

But other days, a lot of days, I don’t feel motivated to do any of those things. 

Motivation is like a charming but unpredictable boyfriend.

I love when it’s around. Everything is easier. But I never know when it’s going to show up, or how long it will stay. It can disappear without notice and leave me wondering when it will decide to come back. 

The problem with motivation’s flightiness is that we don’t always have the luxury of waiting until it returns.

Regardless of how we feel, commitments have to be kept. Deadlines have to be met, children cared for. Bills paid, meals made, laws obeyed. 

When I’m not feeling motivated, I have found a simple perspective switch to make all the difference. It is -

Mark Manson calls this the Do Something Principle. He says -

"Action isn’t just the effect of motivation, it’s also the cause of it.”

It’s switching from this 

To this 

When you’re feeling inspired and motivated, by all means, enjoy it. Get it. Just Do It. You go girl. Yass Queen etc. etc. etc.

But when you’re not, start by taking action regardless. Don't wait for it; Generate it.

Today I don’t feel motivated to clean the house, or write, or exercise. 

I don't feel motivated yet.