I am reading a book called ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck’. It’s quite a famous book. I am glad I am finally reading it and I’m in love with it.
One of the principles it introduces is the ‘do something’ principle.
The idea of motivation.
Most of us wait for the feeling of motivation to hit before we do something but the author suggests that motivation comes from action. Especially when we don’t know what to do.
I’ve heard a lot of writers’ advice is to simply write. Every day.
Some dedicate 1-2 hours of writing time every day. Doesn’t matter if they actually write anything useful or if they actually write anything at all. That time is dedicated to writing.
I used to write at least 750 words every day when I woke up in the morning, following a method introduced in a book called ‘The Artist’s Way’.
Sometimes I see my long to-do list and get overwhelmed and tend to not want to do anything at all. Those times I tell myself I just need to open my computer or I just need to open that web browser. A lot of times I start from the easiest task. Then the motivation/inspiration starts to flow. Tackling the bigger tasks all of a sudden becomes part of the flow.
Elon Musk’s recent famous words for entrepreneurs: “If you need encouragement, don’t become an entrepreneur.”
Entrepreneurs are self-motivated people. But what is self-motivation? How do people get up every day and are already motivated?
Motivation is less about feeling but more about action.
When we don’t feel like doing anything or when we don’t know what to do, just do something, take any action, regardless of how big or small. Action creates momentum. Momentum is what we are looking for. Momentum generates motivation and inspiration. Momentum is gold.
When we feel stuck or in a slump, just get up and do something. Paint your nails, clean the kitchen counter, just get moving. It’d be even better to do something you enjoy. That starts a momentum of joy and with that momentum, ideas and inspiration will start to flow.
At least that’s how I’ve been able to keep walking on this entrepreneurial path.
Don’t wait for yourself to feel good to start acting. Act your way into feeling good. You can be your own source of motivation and inspiration. Cheers!
