Some days you wake up ready to take on the world. Other days, even brushing your teeth feels like a win.
I've lived both.
After years of struggling with binge eating, gaming into the early hours, skipping workouts, and chasing temporary highs that left me drained and stuck, I finally found what really lights that fire inside. Not motivation that fades in a day, but something deeper. Something that sticks.
And the truth? You only need two things.
Secret #1: Make It Meaningful
Here’s the hard truth—you won’t stay motivated doing something that doesn’t matter to you.
Most of us try to force discipline through sheer willpower. But willpower fades fast when the thing you’re doing feels pointless.
I was stuck in that loop for years. I kept telling myself I “should” work out, “should” eat better, “should” break my screen addiction. And every time I fell back into old habits, I felt like a failure.
Then something shifted.
One day I asked myself, “Why?” Why did I want to lose weight? Why did I care about changing?
The answer surprised me. It wasn’t just about looking better. It was about freedom. I wanted to have the energy to run around with my future kids. I wanted to wake up feeling strong, not sluggish. I wanted to live a life that honored God and showed respect for the body He gave me.
That purpose gave my actions weight. I wasn’t just logging workouts—I was showing up for the life I wanted to build.
If you’re struggling to get started or stick with something, ask yourself:
- Why does this matter to me—personally?
- What does this goal represent?
- What will my life be like a year from now if I don’t keep going?
Write down your answers. Keep them where you’ll see them daily. Sticky notes on your mirror. A note on your phone. I keep a journal where I write one sentence every morning answering the question: “Why will I try today?”
When your actions feel meaningful to you—not just “shoulds” from someone else—you stop quitting. You start showing up.
Secret #2: Make It Small
Big goals feel exciting. But they can also feel paralyzing.
When I started my health journey, I had over 110 pounds to lose. That number crushed me. I kept imagining how long it would take, how hard it would be, how different my life had to become.
So I’d go all in for a week—cutting out everything, working out every day, trying to do everything at once. Then I’d crash. Burn out. Feel like a failure. Repeat.
What finally worked? Shrinking the goal.
Instead of focusing on 110 pounds, I focused on two. Then one. I made tiny changes: swapping chips for carrots, committing to short walks, setting a 10-minute timer for “just a little” deep work. I celebrated every small win.
- Drank water instead of soda? Win.
- Got outside for 15 minutes? Win.
- Didn’t binge eat after a tough day? Huge win.
I stopped chasing perfection and started chasing progress.
We often think motivation means getting hyped up. But real motivation comes from momentum. And momentum comes from small steps you can actually keep taking.
Think about the thing you want to improve. Don’t make a 30-day plan. Just figure out:
- What’s one thing I can do today that’s so easy it’s hard to skip?
- How can I make it 1% easier than yesterday?
Start there. Today, keep it stupid simple. That’s what builds consistency. And consistency creates confidence.
Real Change Takes Heart, Not Hustle
Let’s be real here. This isn’t about turning into a “motivated” robot. Some days you’ll slip. I still have days where old habits try to creep in. I still fight the pull of laziness, the comfort of the couch, the urge to say "whatever" and check out.
But now, I know why I’m fighting. I’m not chasing a number on a scale anymore. I’m chasing a life that reflects who I truly want to be and the purpose I believe God has for me.
And I do it by taking one small, meaningful action at a time.
If you’re starting over for the tenth or hundredth time, I get it. I’ve been there. But you’re not broken. You don’t need to wait for the “perfect time.” You already have what you need.
Here’s Your First Step
Right now, think about that one thing you’ve been putting off or struggling with.
Don’t try to fix it all at once.
Instead, ask yourself:
- Why does this really matter to me?
- What’s the smallest possible step I can take today?
Maybe it’s writing down your reason. Maybe it’s doing one push-up. Maybe it’s deleting one app that’s been draining your time. Just one move forward.
That first step starts to build the fire. Keep feeding it with meaning and small wins—and even the hardest change will start to feel possible.
You’ve got this.
And when it feels hard, remember—you’re not alone. I’m walking this path with you.
What’s your one small step today? Write it down, take it, and celebrate it. That’s how real motivation grows.
