In Search of Motivation
As an education designer, educator, creative, and creator juggling multiple projects, I often find myself riding waves of inspiration—until I don’t. Some days, I wake up ready to take on the world. On other days, even the simplest tasks feel insurmountable. It’s a cycle that comes and goes, and learning how to navigate it is essential. This morning I saw my dear friend Renate’s post “I Haven't Been Feeling Motivated and Here's What I've Been Telling Myself the Last 2 Weeks” and I got super inspired to look into my own journey and the conversations with myself.
Being someone who thrives on curiosity, learning, and making connections across disciplines, motivation is my fuel. But what happens when the tank is empty? When the excitement of a new project fades into the reality of deadlines, revisions, and self-doubt? When passion collides with exhaustion?
We often hear about the joys of being a multi-hyphenate professional—the freedom, the excitement, the endless possibilities. What we don’t talk about enough is the emotional toll. The mental gymnastics of switching between roles. The self-imposed pressure to always create, innovate, and push forward.
Lately, I’ve been caught in the paradox of having so much to do yet feeling stuck, staring at my screen as tasks pile up. The thought of making progress feels daunting, and I find myself procrastinating in the most ironic ways—researching how to be productive instead of actually being productive.
Motivation is fleeting. But what’s more reliable? Structure, self-compassion, and resourcefulness. These three pillars have been guiding me back to a place of momentum:
Preparation as an Anchor When motivation wavers, preparation steps in. I remind myself that past-me did a lot of groundwork to set present-me up for success. Reviewing my previous notes, frameworks, or brainstorming sessions often reignites my creative energy. I also create templates, checklists, and structured workflows so that even on low-energy days, I have a roadmap to follow.
Being Kind to Myself Some days are just hard. Instead of beating myself up for not operating at 100%, I try to shift my perspective: Would I speak to a friend this way? Would I tell them they’re failing just because they’re tired or need a break? No. I would encourage them to rest and remind them that slow progress is still progress.
Resourcefulness Over Perfection I’ve realized that waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect plan, or the perfect feeling is a trap. Resourcefulness—using what I have, where I am, with whatever energy is available—is a far better strategy. Sometimes, all it takes is starting with one small thing to reignite momentum.
And here is what I am taking with me from Renate's post:
Revisit my 'why': Why did I choose this path? What impact do I want to create?
Small steps matter: If I can’t do it all today, what’s one thing I can accomplish?
Community is key: I don’t have to figure it all out alone. Reaching out to peers, and mentors, or even sharing my struggles reminds me that I’m not alone in this.
At the end of the day, the truth is, we all face motivation droughts. The secret isn’t in avoiding them, but in navigating them with preparation, kindness, and resourcefulness. So, if you’re feeling stuck, uninspired, or just downright exhausted, take a deep breath. Pick one small action. And trust that momentum will follow.
What’s one thing your future self will thank you for doing today?