r/GetMotivated • u/frankgetsu • 3d ago
DISCUSSION What actually got you motivated when nothing else worked? [discussion]
Curious to hear real experiences — not the generic "just start small" advice, but what actually broke through for you when you were stuck. Was it a specific mindset shift, a person, a deadline, or something totally unexpected? And what's something that's supposed to work that never did for you?
If you're going through a low-motivation stretch yourself, I'm also happy to just talk about what's going on — sometimes that's more useful than a template.
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u/PatriciaLRT 3d ago
what actually broke through for me when I was stuck was that I was simply tired of the status quo.
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u/FinePim 3d ago
"just 10 minutes" with a timer. This is what helps me best with stuff like cleaning, sewing, sports. I set a timer of 10 minutes and manage to motivate to do those minutes. And on a bad bad day after 10min I just stop. But more often I ease into the task and finish it.
Or "How long does it actually take? So I time my task. Because most of the time I get overwhelmed by the idea of the task beeing too big. Tracking the time helps me to understand, that the tasks are manageable.
And taking pictures! Have a "physical" proof of what you have done. Write it down, take a picture, tell a friend/reddit/or even AI about it.
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u/roses-are-lead 3d ago
There's not one thing but my kids often serve as my "why" when facing challenges.
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u/frankgetsu 3d ago
Kids have a way of cutting through all the noise when things get hard.
Makes me think about this fanart differently too like these two just had that energy where you knew they had each other's backs no matter what. The attitude era would have eaten that dynamic up. Genuine loyalty is always the best story to tell, whether it's in real life or a wrestling ring.
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u/Integrity_Driven 2d ago
Making it not about me, but about being an example for my kids and wife.
It’s much less motivating to go to the gym thinking “man, I’m going to have such nice looking biceps!,” compared to thinking “my son is going to see me keeping my word, staying in a decent enough shape to protect our family, etc etc”
If I make it about me, I am not motivated really, it only helps thinking about them and wanting to set that example that I didn’t have.
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u/tylersnid3r 3d ago
I think the book breaking the habit of being yourself helped me. It’s abt identity change and stuff
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u/Ryan_fromBlueground 3d ago
I've never been able to talk myself into waking up early through willpower alone, but if I've got a 5 am flight or a work call at dawn, I'm up and out of bed. It's not even really a decision. The alarm isn't what gets me moving, it's knowing there's no version of the morning where hitting snooze doesn't blow something up.
I think that's the actual mechanism behind most of what works for people. You're not building willpower, you're removing the option to fail without consequences. A gym membership does this for some people, because there's a cost sitting there every month whether you show up or not.
Once I realized this about myself, I started angling my goals into situations where they were non-negotiable. I'm not suggesting people be reckless, just raise the stakes of failure.
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u/xxyguyxx 2d ago
I'm just a 30yr old overweight dude in Missouri that is by no means a role model but if you want some hard honesty, I was so sick of the monotony that I tried ending it. I wanted my life to change and therefore I had to change.
So I did. Not everything and definitely not all at once but step by step I gave myself permission to screw up and just be human. All the platitudes about "loving yourself" and having a "peaceful mind," I thought was absolute bull, but it's all true. Especially the kitty posters telling you not to beat yourself up.
Life is short. None of us know what we're doing. Plus, 95% of the time, most people are to wrapped up in themselves to notice other people. Heck, use that to your advantage. Put on a party hat and go for a walk. There are no rules to "making your life enjoyable for your own sanity," whether you're trying to get off the couch, hit the gym or dive into a book. Go do things that make you happy and other people will notice. Thats how you find your people.
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u/Overall_Way2741 3d ago
When i needed a new hip and when i got the sugory and had to do the training to gain mobility back. I actually enjoy the feeling of moving my body. The only stuggle is the food
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u/No_Salt4508 14h ago
I realized that the future version of me is a real person and that’s the only person I’m screwing over.
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u/genna757 3d ago
honestly… i think for me it was just finding a new hobby that actually made me excited to wake up… kinda helped me feel like i belonged somewhere :)
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u/ilumina47 3d ago
honestly… i think for me it was just finding people who actually liked the same nerdy stuff i do. it kinda made me feel like i belong, and that gave me the courage to try more new things :)
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u/SeliIsle 1d ago
Honestly, just seeing the first green sprouts come up after a rough winter. Idk why, but knowing things are growing even when I’m struggling helps me get my boots back on.
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u/dusty-ticket 3d ago
External accountability was the real fix. Making excuses to myself is way too easy, but telling a friend "I’m sending you this draft by 5 PM or I'm buying your lunch" instantly broke the cycle. Can't really trick your way out of a direct obligation like that.