Fallacy: Motivation creates action
Fallacy: Motivation creates action.
Reality: Action creates motivation.
So, to create motivation, I have to force myself to get started. I have to trust that motivation will show up after I get started.
Doing the work *creates* motivation.
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As an independent, this is obvious.
I have multiple concurrent projects. What am I most interested in? The project I’ve been working on lately.
It’s hard to switch projects. But after a few hours of progress, inertia takes over.
Action *creates* motivation. 👍
This applies all over.
It’s hard to start exercising each day. So I just commit to starting each morning.
Once I start, motivation appears.
It’s hard to start learning something new. So I commit to trying it for just 5 minutes.
Once I start, motivation appears.
Related principle:
The Focusing Illusion: “Nothing in life is as important as you think it is, while you are thinking about it.”
Doing the work tricks our brains into thinking it’s super important. 🧠
When I need to keep working, this illusion is a beautiful thing. 😎