Why Motivation Fades (and What Actually Works Instead)

Motivation requires conscious energy. While your conscious thoughts drive many of your actions, your subconscious is in control of most of your experience. Neuroscientists tell us that our subconscious influences as much as 90% to 95% of our reality. 

On the other hand, your conscious mind can only entertain about three different thoughts at one time. That explains why it is so hard to think when you are facing a lot of distractions. Your conscious energy is devoted to your senses, and if they have a lot to deal with, focusing on a thought or a process can be difficult. 

The differences in the abilities of the conscious and subconscious minds give us a clue as to how to develop positive change. Growth is easier and more sustainable when it is driven by repeatable, positive habits rather than motivation. 

Have You Ever Been to a Self-Improvement Seminar? 

Self-help coaches have admirable vocations. Their goal is to help you improve your life. They have discovered processes that work for them and others, and with their training, you can realize substantial growth in many cases. 

If you have ever attended a self-improvement seminar, think about that experience. There is usually a lot of energy. The speakers are vocal, the talk is about what you can accomplish instead of what you can't experience, and everyone there is full of positive vibes. 

Motivation is easy in that environment. Because it is a conscious process, and all of your energy is directed towards positive thinking and what you need to do to reach your goals, you have no problem focusing on what you want to make happen. It feels so good when you’re there and getting all those dopamine hits that strengthen your learning. You’re probably smiling right now reading this and remembering that great feeling.

Then, when the seminar is over, you get in your car or plane and head back home. Your routines kick in, and you discover that staying motivated is difficult. That's because your daily habits, which you have subconsciously adopted over so many years, are not always in line with your motivation. 

It's a common scenario. Our daily actions, driven by responsibilities, often diverge from our goals. But remember, your subconscious wields immense power over your reality – it is your autopilot. By consciously choosing actions that align with your goals, you can steer your future in the right direction. 

"Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment."

– Zig Ziglar

You Are Creating Your Future You Through Your Daily Habits 

Repeatable actions become unconscious habits. These are the actions you take without even thinking about them, like brushing your teeth or making your morning coffee. These unconscious habits have developed the reality you are experiencing right now. Since so many daily habits are directed toward activities that don't motivate us to pursue our goals, we need to change that if we're going to change our reality. 

Add small, simple actions to your routine. For instance, if you want to become a more patient person, you could practice deep breathing when you feel impatient. If you want to be more organized, you could spend 10 minutes each day tidying up. These actions should mirror the version of yourself you would like to become.

Repeat those actions daily, and they will eventually get the attention of your powerful subconscious mind. You will begin to automatically act in a way that moves you towards your goals without the need for motivation or an upbeat mindset. 

Create a mental snapshot of the person you want to be. You can refer to your heroes to see what traits you would like to possess. Then, perform simple daily acts that help you embody those traits. You will find that you move inexorably toward the person you want to become even when motivation fades.