There was a time when I thought motivation was just about willpower—either you had it, or you didn’t.
I’d look at productive people and assume they had some secret energy source that I just couldn’t tap into.
But over time, I realized that motivation isn’t something you find—it’s something you build.
I’ve had moments where I felt completely stuck, struggling to take action even on things I cared about.
But what finally helped me push forward wasn’t waiting for the perfect mood or burst of inspiration—it was learning how to create motivation through small, intentional habits.
That’s why The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey resonated with me. It’s not just about success—it’s about creating a mindset that sustains motivation, even when things get tough.
In this post, I’ll break down key lessons from the book and how you can use them to stay motivated in your own life. Plus, I’ll share personal insights and actionable tips to help you stay on track.
Let’s dive in!
(Oh, and if you prefer listening over reading, check out the conversation version of this post!)
1. Be Proactive: Take Ownership of Your Motivation
One of the most significant takeaways from Covey’s book is the idea that we are the drivers of our own lives.
This means taking full responsibility for our actions, thoughts, and behaviors.
When it comes to motivation, many of us have fallen into the trap of waiting for the "perfect" mood or external circumstances to feel motivated.
But here’s the truth: motivation doesn’t just appear out of thin air—it’s something that grows from taking initiative and action.
Covey talks about the "circle of concern" (the things we worry about) versus the "circle of influence" (the things we can control).
We often focus on what we can't control, like other people's reactions or external events.
But motivation stems from focusing on the things within our circle of influence, specifically the actions we can take.
When we focus on what we can control, even if it’s just one small step at a time, momentum starts to build.
Instead of waiting for motivation to show up, we create it ourselves.
Try this: Identify three small tasks you can control today that will move you closer to your goal. Write them down and commit to completing at least one before the end of the day. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—create that moment now.
When I started writing for my blog, I kept waiting for the "perfect" idea or for the right mood to strike before sitting down to write.
I kept telling myself that inspiration would come eventually.
But weeks passed, and I had nothing to show for it. Frustrated, I made a decision: I would write for just 10 minutes every morning, no matter how I felt.
To my surprise, I found myself writing for 30 minutes or more, and the momentum I built from those small steps turned into a regular writing habit.
That simple decision to be proactive helped me move past inertia and start seeing progress.
Pro Tip: If you're struggling with motivation, try setting a timer (like using the Pomodoro technique). Short bursts of focused work can make a significant difference and often lead to more productivity than you’d expect.
2. Begin with the End in Mind: Clarify Your “Why”
Having a clear vision of where you’re headed is essential for maintaining motivation.
Covey stresses the importance of knowing your purpose and aligning your actions with your long-term vision.
Without this clarity, it’s easy to become distracted, discouraged, or give up when things get difficult.
A goal without a strong "why" is just a task to complete, not something that truly drives you.
When you have a compelling reason for pursuing a goal, it becomes easier to push through the tough days.
Motivation isn’t just about taking action—it’s about understanding why that action matters.
Whether your goal is big or small, understanding its significance gives you the emotional fuel to stay committed.
For example, let’s say you want to get fit. If your "why" is vague—like "I want to lose weight"—that’s unlikely to keep you motivated when things get tough.
But if you reframe it to something more personal, like “I want to feel confident in my own skin and boost my energy levels,” you have a much stronger reason to stick with it, even on days when the process feels hard.
Try this: Take a few moments to write a personal mission statement for your current goal. Use this template to clarify your purpose: "I am [goal] because [reason], and this will help me [desired outcome]." For example: "I am writing a self-improvement blog because I want to inspire others to make positive changes, and this will help me build a meaningful online community."
When I wanted to improve my fitness routine, I struggled to stay consistent.
Every time I thought about exercising, I would talk myself out of it, telling myself that I was too tired or too busy.
However, after taking some time to reflect on my reasons for wanting to get healthier, I realized that exercise wasn't just about losing weight—it was about feeling more energetic and confident.
I wrote down: “I want to exercise regularly because it boosts my energy and confidence.”
On days when I didn’t feel like working out, rereading that mission kept me motivated to follow through.
Pro Tip: Try creating a visual reminder of your "why." This could be a vision board or a few sticky notes placed on your desk or bathroom mirror. By seeing these reminders regularly, you reinforce your purpose.
3. Put First Things First: Focus on What Really Matters
Covey's third habit teaches us that effective time management isn’t just about getting things done—it’s about getting the right things done.
In our busy lives, we often get distracted by tasks that don’t truly align with our long-term goals.
This constant juggling can leave us feeling overwhelmed, unfocused, and unmotivated.
Instead of letting the urgent but unimportant tasks fill up your schedule, you need to prioritize what truly matters.
Covey encourages us to categorize tasks into four quadrants:
➱Must-Do (Important & Urgent)➱Should-Do (Important but Not Urgent)
➱Could-Do (Not Important but Urgent)
➱Don't Do (Not Important and Not Urgent)
The key is to focus first on the Must-Do and Should-Do tasks that move you toward your goals and align with your values.
The other distractions—like constantly checking emails, overthinking trivial matters, or wasting time on unimportant activities—should be minimized.
Try this: Use this simple prioritization method:
➱Must-Do: Focus on important and urgent tasks.
➱Should-Do: Address important but non-urgent tasks.
➱Skip: Eliminate or delegate the unimportant ones. Make sure to schedule your Must-Do and Should-Do tasks first. This will help you stay on track with what truly matters.
When I first started my blog, I spent an unreasonable amount of time perfecting the design, tweaking fonts, and adjusting layouts—while neglecting the actual writing.
This not only drained my energy but also made me lose sight of my primary goal.
Once I prioritized writing content every morning and limited my design tweaks to weekends, I started seeing real progress.
The shift in focus helped keep my motivation high because I was making actual strides toward my goal.
Pro Tip: Consider blocking out distraction-free time for your top priorities. Use apps like Forest or Focus Keeper to stay focused during these times and minimize distractions.
4. Sharpen the Saw: Recharge to Stay Motivated
One of the most overlooked aspects of motivation is the need to take regular breaks and recharge.
Covey’s Sharpen the Saw habit encourages us to renew our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energy.
Without regular self-care, it becomes nearly impossible to maintain high levels of motivation.
If we push ourselves too hard without resting, we risk burning out, and when we’re burned out, motivation is nowhere to be found.
Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that rest is a luxury or something we can earn only after working ourselves into exhaustion.
In reality, rest is essential to staying motivated. Just like a saw becomes dull if it’s not sharpened regularly, we lose our effectiveness and drive if we don’t take care of ourselves.
This includes making time for activities that rejuvenate you—whether it's physical exercise, mindfulness, hobbies, or simply taking a few moments to relax.
Try this: Schedule 15-minute breaks throughout your day to recharge. During these breaks, choose activities that refresh both your mind and body. Consider things like stretching, going for a walk, or journaling to clear your head and reenergize.
Early in my blogging journey, I would push myself to work long hours without taking any breaks, thinking that working through fatigue would make me more productive.
But eventually, I hit a wall.
I started to feel burned out, my energy plummeted, and my motivation vanished.
That’s when I realized the importance of taking breaks. Now, I schedule short 15-minute walks or stretch sessions throughout the day.
These quick recharges allow me to stay refreshed and focused, helping me maintain my drive.
Pro Tip: Try “habit stacking”—pair a positive habit like drinking water or practicing mindfulness with your break time. This way, you maximize your downtime and promote well-being simultaneously.
5. Visualize the Reward, Not Just the Process
When we’re in the midst of working toward a goal, it’s easy to get bogged down by the day-to-day grind.
The constant effort can sometimes feel tedious, leading to burnout or loss of motivation. This is where Covey’s advice on visualization comes in.
Instead of focusing only on the tasks at hand, it’s crucial to take time to imagine the success and rewards that await you once your goal is accomplished.
Visualization taps into your brain’s reward system, creating a sense of satisfaction even before you’ve reached your goal.
By vividly imagining the positive emotions and outcomes of achieving your goal, you strengthen your desire to take action and keep moving forward.
When you visualize success, the journey becomes more enjoyable because it feels less like an endless struggle and more like an exciting path toward something meaningful.
Try this: Spend a few minutes each day visualizing your success. Engage all your senses—what do you see, hear, and feel when you achieve your goal? The clearer the picture, the more motivated you will feel.
Before launching my blog, I would spend some quiet time imagining what success would look like.
I could visualize readers sending me messages about how my content had helped them, and how fulfilling it would be to know I was making a positive impact.
That mental image kept me going through long, late-night writing and editing sessions. Even when I felt exhausted, the reward of helping others kept me pushing forward.
Pro Tip: Take it a step further by writing a journal entry as if you’ve already reached your goal. Describe how it feels, what it means to you, and how it’s impacting your life. This exercise strengthens your emotional connection to your goal and reinforces your motivation.
Wrapping up
Now that you’ve learned these strategies, it’s time to put them into practice.
Motivation isn’t something that magically appears when you need it—it’s something you actively build through consistent action, clear goals, and a strong sense of purpose.
So here’s a challenge: Identify one proactive step you’ll take today toward your goal.
Whether it’s writing down a mission statement, scheduling a break, or tackling a task you’ve been avoiding—take action now.
Share it in the comments, tell a friend, or just commit to yourself.
The first step is the hardest, but it’s also the most powerful.
Motivation isn’t a magical force—it’s a habit built through consistent effort, clarity, and rest.
You’ve got everything you need to succeed—now it’s time to take the first step!
Which of these strategies resonated with you the most?
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Drop a comment below or share your story of how you stay motivated!
0 Comments