The Motivation Myth

01What's the motivation myth all about?

Ever wondered why some people seem to be perpetually motivated, always on the go, and achieving great things while others struggle to get off the couch? You might think it's all about motivation, right? Well, not quite. According to Jeff Haden and Ray Porter in their book "The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win", the idea that motivation leads to action is a myth. So, what's this 'motivation myth' all about? It's the belief that we need to feel motivated before we can start working towards our goals. It's like waiting for the perfect weather before going out for a run. But in reality, it doesn't work that way. You don't wait for the sun to shine; you put on your running shoes and head out, come rain or shine. The real path to success, according to Haden and Porter, is not initial motivation but the process. It's about taking that first step, then the next, and the next, regardless of how you feel. It's like building a brick wall. You don't wait for the perfect brick; you lay one brick at a time, as perfectly as you can, and soon you have a wall. Let's take an example from the book. Consider the story of Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time. Phelps didn't wait for motivation to strike before he hit the pool. He followed a rigorous training schedule, day in and day out, whether he felt like it or not. His success was not the result of some magical surge of motivation but the product of his consistent, process-oriented approach. This challenges the conventional wisdom that motivation is the precursor to action and success. It's like saying you need to feel hungry before you can eat. But do you always wait for hunger pangs before having your meals? Probably not. You eat because it's mealtime, because it's part of your daily routine. Similarly, action and success are not dependent on feeling motivated; they are the result of a consistent, process-oriented approach. Understanding and accepting the 'motivation myth' can set the stage for achieving success. It's like realizing that you don't need to wait for the perfect conditions to start a journey; you just need to start moving. The rest of the book builds on this concept, providing practical strategies and techniques to help you set yourself up to win. In conclusion, the 'motivation myth' is not about dismissing the importance of motivation. It's about understanding that motivation is not a prerequisite for action and success. It's about realizing that the real path to success is the process, not the initial motivation. So, the next time you find yourself waiting for motivation to strike, remember the 'motivation myth' and just start moving. You might be surprised at how far you can go.