It’s funny how when we think of ways to improve our lives, the first conclusion that we jump to is our lack of motivation. “If only I was motivated”, “If only I felt like it”, “I need to motivate myself”. The regret you get before you go to sleep “tomorrow I will improve my life”, and the spiritual boost you get from these motivational videos with the piano music in the background and the passionate dude who screams “pain is temporary”. I get that, you get that. We all do.

What’s happening here?

Throughout the years, after experimenting with different methods, trying many different ways that motivate me to do the work, and seeing other people, I can (gladly?) say we don’t need motivation. Of course, you might think, the methods I tried are insufficient, which is a fair point. Or even hypothetically, if I tried all the possible methods to motivate myself, and still didn’t succeed, that doesn’t make my failure the accurate basis to make that assumption. But even so, I do still think that you don’t need motivation.

You don’t need motivation, you need purpose.

That missing piece from your life, that void, that feeling of loneliness. I know that. I’ve been there. I’m still there. Motivation without purpose is pointless. “Being more productive” is not a purpose, and getting in shape is a goal, not a purpose.

I tried motivating myself to the point of reminding myself of my mortal life every time I sit in front of my computer. I did that using Memento Mori.

Seriously, if you have no purpose, why are you even trying? What are you exactly trying to motivate yourself to do? To go for a run? Why would you do that? Why tire yourself? You see, the default mode for people is to do nothing. It’s normal. You don’t feel bad about this. But you do feel bad about not doing “other things”.

We all have an ideal self-image. Understanding that self-image, its relationship to your current self, and its possible future impact on others, is the purpose. Taking on the responsibilities that come with that image, is the way. That self-image lies within. It’s already motivated, it’s already successful. It’s already happy, it’s already content.

You don’t need motivation. Don’t bullsh*t yourself. You need to unwrap, unpack and unleash that self-image. Build your steps towards that self. You’re moving forward, and looking inward. Live a life that you can write happy stories about.