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Happy Sunday 👋🏾,

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One of the questions that came up was this: How do I find the motivation to go to the gym five days a week and run a business?

Well, here’s the truth: I am not motivated half the time to go to the gym. And running a business? That’s not driven by motivation, either. If you’ve been following along, you might remember when I talked about how only about 10% of any workout feels amazing. The other 90%? It’s just about showing up and pushing through. Motivation isn’t what keeps me going – I don’t rely on it because, to me, it’s a bit of a myth.

Why I Think Motivation is Overrated

I honestly think we’d all be happier and more productive if we stopped depending on “motivation” altogether. You might be thinking, “Wait, aren’t you a motivational speaker?” Sure, I go into schools and organisations and talk about my journey, but I don’t see myself as a “motivational” speaker. I’m just someone sharing my story. If something resonates and sparks something in someone else, that’s a win – but it’s not about some big motivational boost.

As the saying goes, “Motivation is what gets you started, but discipline and consistency are what keep you going.” Over the years, I’ve learned motivation doesn’t last. For me, it’s discipline and routine that keep me showing up at the gym and handling the day-to-day of running a business.

Take my two-year-old as an example. When he wakes up, his whole day revolves around how he feels. If he feels like playing, he plays; if he feels like making a mess, he dives right in. At two, it’s natural to go with whatever feels fun or interesting. But as an adult, I’ve learned that feeling like doing something useful has absolutely nothing to do with whether I actually do it.

This week has been a perfect reminder. After a long run, my back started twinging, then the stiffness and pain really set in - hence I wasn’t able to keep up my regular gym routine, and my whole rhythm was thrown off. Not having that usual flow has made staying productive tougher, but it’s also highlighted how much I rely on routines to keep things moving, even when motivation isn’t there.

So, yeah, I think motivation is a bit of a myth. Waiting to “feel like” doing something useful isn’t how I get things done. For me, it’s about commitment, routine, and small, consistent actions that build momentum. Some days, it’s just showing up to the gym even if I don’t want to or tackling that next business task when I’d rather be anywhere else. It’s a habit I’ve built over time, and that’s what really keeps things moving forward.

Quote of the Week

Have a great week!

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