Most people don't struggle because they lack motivation. They struggle because they're waiting for motivation to do a job it was never designed to do. If you only act when you feel motivated, you give your emotions full control over your behavior, and emotions are not reliable leaders. When you rely on motivation, you say, I act when I feel like it. When you rely on systems, you say, I act because this is who I am becoming. Hello, and welcome to Uplifted Living, the podcast for Living Uplifted. I'm Nick Gilbert and I'm grateful you're here. This is a space for thoughtful conversations about growth, clarity, and living with intention without the pressure to constantly optimize or have everything figured out. Let's begin. Motivation is one of the most talked about ideas and personal growth. We're told to find it, build it, protect it, hack it, and when we don't feel motivated, we assume something is wrong. Here's the question I want to explore today. What if motivation was never meant to carry the weight we've put on it? Most people don't struggle because they lack motivation. They struggle because they're waiting for motivation to do a job. It was never designed to do. Motivation is emotional. It's temporary. It rises and falls depending on energy, stress. Sleep and life circumstances, yet we treat it like a prerequisite for action. Think about how this usually plays out. You feel inspired, you make a plan, you commit to change, and for a short time it works. But then life happens, energy drops, focus fades, motivation disappears, and, instead of adjusting the system, you judge yourself."I guess I didn't want it badly enough." Motivation was never supposed to be the engine; it's the spark, and sparks don't keep fires burning. Here's a quiet truth that can be relieving once you accept it. If you only act when you feel motivated, you give your emotions full control over your behavior, and emotions are not reliable leaders. This is especially important if you're already tired or burned out. When energy is low, motivation doesn't disappear because you're failing. It disappears because your system is asking for support. So instead of asking. How do I get more motivated? A better question is, how do I make each action easier when motivation is low? This is where systems come in, not rigid outlines, not extreme discipline, but gentle structures that reduce friction. Things like fewer decisions, clear starting points, lower expectations, and supportive environments. Systems don't rely on how you feel; they work with who you are.

if you're waiting to feel motivated to read, you probably won't, but if the book is already on your table and your phone is in another room, reading becomes the path of least resistance. No motivation is required. This is what sustainable growth looks like. Not forcing yourself forward, but removing the obstacles that keep stopping you. There's also an important identity shift here. When you rely on motivation, you say, I act when I feel like it. When you rely on systems, you say, I act because this is who I am becoming. That shift is subtle, but powerful. Let me offer a gentle practice you can try this week. Pick one habit you've been waiting to feel motivated for. Now, ask what would make this easier by default, not impressive, not optimized, just easier. Then, adjust your environment or expectations accordingly. That one shift may do more for your growth than another burst of motivation ever could. Now motivation isn't bad, it's just misunderstood. It's a visitor, not a foundation, and when you stop waiting for it to lead, progress becomes steadier, calmer, and more sustainable. As you move through the rest of your day. Here's a question to sit with. What's one action you can make easier without waiting to feel ready? Think about it. Journal it if you need to. If this episode resonated with you, consider following or subscribing to the show and sharing it with someone who might need this reminder. Until next time, keep learning, keep growing and continue to uplift both yourself, and those around you. Thank you for listening.