From the Coach’s Chair: Motivation Isn’t Magic
Here’s What Brought Me to the Chair Today
Today’s topic comes from years (and I mean years) of me struggling with motivation—starting strong, losing steam, and wondering why I couldn’t just stay on track. And now, as a coach, I see it all the time with clients too.
They hit a wall. Life gets loud. The train that was once chugging along suddenly stalls—and they feel like they’ve failed.
But here’s the thing: motivation isn’t a constant. It’s not a character trait. And it’s definitely not the missing piece you need before taking action.
The Truth About Motivation
Here’s a secret: motivation isn’t some magical switch you flip on. It’s not a lightning bolt of energy that suddenly makes everything easy. And it definitely isn’t something you either have or don’t.
I used to believe I just had to wait until I felt motivated. That once the feeling hit, I’d finally start eating better, working out consistently, sticking to routines, finishing projects. But what I’ve learned—for myself and through coaching—is this:
Motivation often shows up after the action, not before it.
The Coaching Take
When motivation stalls, we don’t force it—we get curious. As a health coach, I help clients pause and look beneath the surface. Together, we explore their values, strengths, and desires—what they truly want life to look and feel like—and then reverse-engineer that vision into small, doable steps.
But we don’t stop there. We also take time to uncover the roadblocks—the habits, beliefs, or circumstances that might be quietly sabotaging progress. Motivation isn’t magic—it’s often clarity in disguise. And once we have that clarity, we can build momentum again, one aligned step at a time.
One Practice to Try: The Micro-Momentum Shift
Pick one area of your life where you’re waiting for motivation. Then ask:
What’s one tiny, 2-minute version of the thing I wish I felt motivated to do?
What if I just started with that?
Maybe it’s one stretch. One vegetable. One email. One drawer decluttered.
No fanfare. No prep. Just momentum in motion.
Motivation often follows action—not the other way around.
In Closing
If you’ve been beating yourself up for not “feeling motivated,” I hope this post gives you some relief—and maybe even a new lens. You’re not broken. You’re just human.
Try the micro-momentum shift this week. Then come back and tell me how it felt. I’ll be right here, cheering you on for starting—even if you rolled your eyes the whole way through.
And if you’re ready to stop waiting and start building consistency (with support, not shame), click here to work with me.
XOXO,
Jessica
In Your Corner, Always