Building Motivation: How Small Steps Can Create Big Change in a Chaotic World
Unlock the secret to staying motivated—no matter how unpredictable life feels.
Did You Know?
Did you know that motivation isn’t something you find—it’s something you build?
Research shows that over 80% of successful change is rooted in sustained motivation, not just willpower or talent.
Yet, more than 60% of people start off motivated but stop before they see real progress.
Why?
Because the spark of excitement fades, and most of us don’t know how to keep the momentum going.
Why We Feel Stuck
For many women—especially those of us navigating midlife transitions—this becomes a source of guilt. We think:
“Why can’t I just stay motivated?”
“What’s wrong with me?”
But the truth is, there’s nothing wrong. The problem isn’t you—it’s the old way of thinking that motivation is something you’re supposed to just find.
In reality, motivation is something you build, step by step.
How to Build Motivation (And Why It’s a Game-Changer)
In my last essay, we explored how to start making the changes you’ve been yearning for—breaking free from old patterns and stepping into a life that feels aligned with who you are now.
Motivation is the tool that fuels this.
It’s one thing to know what you want and feel excited about the possibilities. But we’ve all been there — That initial spark? It fades fast.
You start off energized, full of ideas, but then life gets busy. You were so clear, and then it fades underneath the ease of the status quo and the comfort of your old ways.
The Good News?
You don’t need to wait for that spark to return. You can build motivation, just like strengthening a muscle.
Every small action you take triggers changes in your brain, gradually rewiring it for new habits. The more consistent actions you take, the easier they become, as your brain builds stronger connections to support these new behaviors.
Why This Works
Behavioral science backs this up: motivation is something you generate through action, setting off a chain reaction that makes the next step easier.
Leadership research echoes this when it comes to leading yourself.
The most effective leaders practice self-leadership by:
Setting clear goals
Maintaining discipline
Cultivating their own motivation
Leading yourself means taking ownership of your actions and mindset—knowing that no one else will create that momentum for you.
When you take the reins of your own motivation, you’re leading yourself with intention—and that’s where true transformation begins.
Why Motivation Fades—And How to Keep It Going
Here’s the truth: motivation doesn’t just appear out of thin air. It’s not something you wait for or hope will magically show up when you need it most.
Motivation is created by taking action, even when you don’t feel like it. The mistake most of us make? We think motivation has to come before action.
But in reality, it’s the other way around: Action creates motivation. Every small step you take builds momentum, making the next one easier.
Building Lasting Motivation: 4 Key Strategies
So, how do you build the kind of motivation that lasts, especially when the initial excitement fades? Here are a few science-backed strategies that will help you not only take the first step but keep moving forward:
1. Shift Your Focus: Embrace Movement Over Mastery
Motivation grows with movement, not perfection. Change happens step by step, and each small action creates lasting momentum. It’s about growth, not immediate results.
Try this: Break your goal down to the smallest task and start there. Want to feel more creative? Rearrange a single corner of your workspace to inspire fresh ideas. The key is getting started, even if it feels small.
2. Start with a Visible Step
Don’t wait to feel motivated—start with something visible and measurable. Small, concrete actions signal progress to your brain and build momentum.
Try this: Use the “two-minute rule”: if something can be done in two minutes, do it now. Draft the first line of a project, send an inspiring message, or tidy a space to reflect your value of simplicity. Each action sparks movement.
3. Make It Enjoyable
Motivation is fueled by energy, so make the process enjoyable. Pair challenging tasks with things you love—a playlist, a calming ritual, or a feel-good habit.
Try this: Create a “motivation playlist” that energizes you for tough tasks. Or, treat yourself to a ritual like lighting a favorite candle whenever you work toward a goal.
4. Celebrate Every Win—No Matter How Small
Big milestones are great, but small wins keep motivation alive. Acknowledge every step forward—it’s fuel for your next action.
Try this: At the end of each day, jot down one win, however small. Keep a running list and watch it grow. When you feel stuck, review your progress for a boost.
This is Your Moment
Midlife is tough, and we’re navigating it in an increasingly unpredictable world. Every day brings new stresses and uncertainties that can feel overwhelming and out of our control.
In this kind of environment, focusing on yourself might seem impossible—or even selfish.
But here’s the truth: turning inward and focusing on what you truly want equips you to better handle the chaos.
Building motivation for the life you want isn’t selfish—it’s essential. It strengthens your ability to manage the unpredictable and find balance in a distracting world.
Investing in yourself doesn’t mean ignoring everything else. It gives you the tools to move through life with more clarity and resilience. The life you want is worth the effort—and so are you.
Call to Action: Join the Movement
Ready to rewrite your mid-life story? Join the movement of women embracing change and creating the lives they truly deserve.
Subscribe for more insights, and let’s take this journey together, one small step at a time.
I love the way you put it .. it’s something that needs cultivating and nurturing. Thanks for reading Maria ❣️
Love all of this! I have often lamented what feels like a very real, and new, drop in motivation during these middle years. But understanding it as something that needs cultivating and nurturing makes me feel more in control of my own process and perspective. Thank you!