Oh man, if I haven’t heard it once, I’ve heard it a million times! “I wish I had more motivation.” Or “I try, but I just can’t find the willpower to keep going.”
For anyone striving to reach their peak, whether in fitness, career, or personal life, the myth of motivation is often the story that is holding them back. We are led to believe that success is reserved for those with endless energy to push harder and keep going. But here’s the truth. Extraordinary results do not come from having constant motivation.
When people talk about motivation, they usually picture that initial spark of excitement, that burst of energy that comes with starting something new. Motivation might get you through a week or two of gym sessions, early mornings, or powering through tough workdays. But motivation fades quickly, and if that’s all you’re counting on, your goal will soon seem like an uphill battle.
I’ve seen this in my own life. When I first met my wife, we’d been together a matter of weeks, and suddenly I was someone who’d go to bed late and still get up early just to spend more time with her. I’d do anything! Miss sleep, rearrange my schedule, whatever it took. But here we are, over 12 years later, and that wild excitement? Well, let’s just say she can’t even convince me to stay up for a movie after dark!
This shift isn’t because my love for her changed, but that initial surge of motivation did what motivation always does! It faded! What lasts isn’t motivation, but something deeper. And that’s what keeps me here with her, still aiming to please her, but in a different way.
The same goes for people who achieve truly exceptional anything’s. They don’t rely on motivation to keep them moving forward. They’re connected to a purpose that sustains them. They’re not more motivated than others, they’re more aligned. When you’re aligned, your actions stem from a vision that makes the daily grind feel less like hard work and more like a path toward something meaningful.
People like Kobe Bryant didn’t drag themselves to the court out of motivation alone. He didn’t rely on fleeting bursts of energy. Kobe’s vision of becoming the best basketball player of all time was so strong it pulled him forward every day, regardless of how he felt. The same goes for anyone reaching big dreams. When you’re truly connected to your goals, what once seemed like “hard work” becomes a natural part of who you are.
The people who reach their potential aren’t waiting for that hit of motivation. Instead, they’re driven by their “why”—the deep, personal reason behind what they’re doing.
When you know your “why,” each action becomes less of a struggle and more of a privilege. Whether it’s a desire for health, strength, family, or personal growth, when your goal resonates with you personally, action becomes a natural step forward.
The best way to support this process is with systems and routines. Motivation may come and go, but when you build a structure that supports your vision, you’re not just waiting for that energy boost to get moving, you’re already moving. Each step forward is part of a larger picture you’ve created, and every small win reminds you how far you’ve come.
So, don’t be misled by the myth of motivation. Extraordinary results come not from constant energy but from a meaningful purpose. When you’re connected to your goals, each action becomes not only manageable but deeply fulfilling. And that’s how the truly extraordinary achieve greatness. Not through myth, but through meaning.
So get up. Get after it. BECOME EXTRA-ORDINARY.