Most people think you need that motivation works like:
Inspiration → Action → Results (which then inspires you to take further action)
The reality however is that you can start with anything you want. Knowing this, this is how I hacked my motivation.
Starting with action - allow me to explain the 5 minute rule
Tell yourself you will just be working for five minutes
Use the momentum to continue working until you can’t anymore - you’ll find that you can go on for a long time.
Starting with results:
Make a list of all you need to do
Take note of the things that you have already done
Focus on the progress you’ve made as opposed to how far you need to go i.e. the gain that you have made as opposed to the gap between you and your goal.
Starting with inspiration
Make a list of reasons why you need to do what you need to do
Make a list of quotes, images or people who inspire you to take action
I personally start with action and I use the progress I make to motivate me to go further in my studying and my work. I hope that thinking of motivation this way helps you as much as it helped me.
Love,
Tim
P.S. If you found anything confusing, repeated, insightful, boring or surprising, please tell me as feedback will help me to better help you and other people :) Also if you found anything helpful, please share this with a friend <3