3 Actions that Lead to Motivation

One of my clients recently asked, “How can I motivate myself when I’m just not feeling it?” The truth is that motivation doesn’t come first—action does. It’s taking that first small step that gets the momentum going, and once you start moving, motivation usually follows.

Here are three steps I recommend to kick-start that motivation:

1. Start with One Small Task

Pick a task that feels manageable, something you know you can complete quickly and easily. Maybe it’s organizing your workspace or handling a single email. Or it may be making just one lead generation call to someone in your database. This small action creates a sense of accomplishment, and that win, however small, can spark the drive to keep going.

2. Set a 5-Minute Timer

Promise yourself you’ll work on a project for just five minutes. When you lower the barrier to entry, it’s easier to dive in. Surprisingly often, you’ll find yourself continuing beyond the five minutes. Those few minutes of focus can make all the difference in creating momentum!

3. Celebrate Small Wins

Each action you take is progress, and it’s worth celebrating—even the small stuff. Recognizing your efforts reinforces the behavior and builds motivation. Think of it as a snowball effect: small wins build upon each other, fueling your motivation. As Dr. Benjamin Hardy says in The Gap and The Gain: “Being in ‘The Gain’ means looking at what you’ve accomplished and where you’ve come from. It creates a sense of gratitude, and that gratitude leads to confidence and optimism”.

Motivation doesn’t need to come before you start; it follows from starting. Taking just one small action can change your entire outlook and give you the energy to keep going!