Motivation Is a Myth—Here’s What Actually Keeps You Going

Let’s be honest.

You’ve probably had one of those days (or weeks) where you wanted to work on your business—write that blog post, plan your launch, finish the dang sales page—but instead, you reorganized your sock drawer, scrolled Instagram, and somehow ended up watching a YouTube video about sloths.

It’s not that you don’t care about your goals. You care a lot. Maybe too much. But waiting for motivation to strike before taking action? That’s a trap. Motivation is the friend who hypes you up at brunch and then ghosts you the next day when it’s time to get to work.

Here’s the truth most people won’t tell you:

Motivation is unreliable. Habits are what keep you going.

If you want to build a business that lasts—and still have time for your life—you need something stronger than “feeling inspired.” You need systems that work even when you’re tired, distracted, or just not in the mood.

Let’s break this down together.

Why Motivation Isn’t Enough

Motivation feels magical when it’s there. One good podcast or a powerful quote, and suddenly you’re making Canva graphics at lightning speed and planning a 6-month content calendar.

But then… life.

Your kid gets sick. You get three weird client emails. You start questioning everything. Suddenly, all that energy is gone. Your spark fades. And that project you were so excited about? Yeah, it’s now gathering digital dust in your Google Drive.

Why does this happen?

Because motivation is:

• Temporary. It spikes when you’re excited or inspired but drops the moment life gets messy.

• Tied to willpower. And let’s face it, willpower is like your phone battery—it drains faster than you think.

• Inconsistent. If you only work on your business when you “feel like it,” your results will be just as inconsistent.

It’s not your fault. We’ve been sold this idea that successful people are more motivated than the rest of us. But that’s not true.

They’re not more motivated. They’re just more consistent.

What Actually Works: Habits

If motivation is a flaky friend, habits are your steady business partner.

Habits show up even when you don’t want to. Even when you’re in a messy bun, wearing yesterday’s leggings, and sipping reheated coffee. They don’t ask how you’re feeling. They just show up and get it done.

Here’s why habits are your best friend when it comes to building a creative business that actually grows:

1. Habits eliminate decision fatigue.

When something is a habit, you don’t have to think about it. You just do it.

Think of it like brushing your teeth. You don’t sit around debating whether or not you feel like brushing your teeth. You just do it. Same thing applies to writing content, sending follow-ups, or posting on social.

The more you automate your good habits, the fewer decisions you have to make—and the more energy you can save for actually being creative.

2. Habits create momentum.

Tiny steps, done over and over again, lead to massive results.

You don’t have to go viral or launch something huge every week. You just need to keep moving. Progress adds up, especially when you’re not stopping and starting all the time.

3. Habits work even when you don’t feel like it.

This is the magic.

Successful entrepreneurs aren’t waiting around for the perfect vibe. They’re doing the work whether the stars are aligned or not. Habits are like the enchanted armor that carries you through the rough patches.

Okay, So How Do You Actually Build Habits That Stick?

Glad you asked. Let’s make this super practical.

Here are three ways to start building habits that will support your business (and your sanity):

1. Lower the Bar (Seriously, Set It on the Floor)

One big reason we quit on our habits? We make them too hard.

You tell yourself:

“I’m going to write a blog post every day!”

...and then feel like a failure when you can’t even open your laptop.

Instead, shrink the goal until it’s almost laughably easy.

• Want to start blogging? Commit to writing one sentence a day.

• Want to get more active? Start with five minutes of stretching.

• Want to engage on LinkedIn? Leave one comment a day.

These “starter steps” sound tiny, but they work because they get you moving. Once you start, it’s easier to keep going. And even if you stop after just one sentence, you still win—because you showed up.

Lowering the bar doesn’t mean lowering your standards. It means removing the pressure so you can build momentum.

2. Attach It to Something You Already Do

This is called habit stacking, and it’s basically a cheat code.

Your brain loves routines. So if you want to add a new habit, try tying it to one you already have.

• While you drink your morning coffee, write a quick Instagram caption.

• After brushing your teeth, do five minutes of breathwork.

• After checking your email, send a pitch or follow-up message.

The key is to pick something you already do daily and let that be your trigger.

This makes new habits feel less like a to-do list and more like just... what you do.

3. Make It Fun to Track

Look, our brains love rewards. You don’t have to wait until you “make it” to celebrate.

• Use a habit tracker app or print a cute checklist.

• Put a gold star on your wall calendar every day you show up.

• Challenge yourself to beat last week’s streak.

• Celebrate small wins with something that doesn’t sabotage your goals. (Think cozy bubble baths, not guilt-loaded takeout.)

Gamifying your habits makes them more fun—and more likely to stick.

You’re not a robot. You’re a creative. Find ways to make the process feel good, not just the result.

The Real Mindset Shift: Do It Anyway

Here’s where we get to the good stuff.

The biggest difference between people who actually finish their projects and those who keep starting over isn’t talent, time, or even motivation.

It’s this:

They take action whether they feel like it or not.

Stephen King writes every day, even when he’s not inspired. Beyoncé doesn’t cancel rehearsals because she’s “not in the mood.” The local artist running her dream studio? She still shows up on the hard days, too.

They don’t wait for permission from their emotions.

They do it anyway.

That doesn’t mean pushing yourself to burnout. It means separating how you feel from what you do. It means keeping your word to yourself. It means showing up in small, sustainable ways—even when the vibes are off.

You Don’t Need to Hustle Hard. You Need to Show Up Small, But Consistently.

Building a business (or writing a book, or growing a brand) isn’t about giant leaps.

It’s about small, regular steps.

• One sentence a day.

• One connection a day.

• One tiny act of courage a day.

Over time, these tiny steps become the path.

You don’t need to feel inspired. You don’t need to overhaul your entire routine. You just need to start. And then, keep showing up—even when you’d rather watch cat videos or rewatch The Witcher.

If you’re ready to stop waiting for motivation and start building momentum, here’s your challenge:

✅ Pick ONE habit you want to build.

Make it so easy that it’s almost ridiculous. (Like “write one sentence.”)

✅ Decide WHEN you’ll do it.

Attach it to something you already do. (Like “after my morning coffee.”)

✅ Track it for the next 7 days.

Use stickers, a spreadsheet, a whiteboard—whatever feels fun. Just see your progress.

No shame. No guilt. Just curiosity and consistency.

Final Thought (And a Question for You)

You don’t have to be the most motivated, most productive, or most put-together entrepreneur in the room.

You just have to be the one who keeps going.

Start small. Show up anyway. Repeat.

What’s one habit that’s helped you stay consistent in your creative business? I’d love to hear about it in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.

Want help building systems that make showing up feel easier? I work with creative women entrepreneurs who are done with burnout and ready for structure that actually works for them. Let’s chat.