“What People Think Motivation Looks Like”
Broken Model
Motivationfeel it first
Actiondo the thing
Resultssee payoff
Momentumkeep going
“I’ll start when I feel ready.”
- Motivation is required before progress.
- Progress is invisible.
- Environment remains unchanged.
- Energy drains.
- Problem: you’re asking your brain for fuel while the brakes are still on.
“How Motivation Actually Works”
Two Loops
Loop #1: The Drain Cycle
Muted / gray
Loop #2: The Momentum Cycle
Bright / contrast
Why the Second Loop Works
Mechanism
The brain responds to visible change
Proof of movement reduces doubt.
Friction reduction feels like relief
Less resistance = less self-negotiation.
Relief is interpreted as energy
“That wasn’t so hard” becomes fuel.
Energy gets labeled “motivation”
The feeling shows up after the environment shifts.
A slope comparison
The Friction Scale
Depth
The Minimum Viable Momentum
One Drawer
One drawer changes perception.
Perception changes effort.
Effort changes identity.
Perception
Effort
Effort
Identity
Try this:
Set a 6-minute timer. Do one drawer. Stop.
Stop trying to feel motivated.
Start trying to reduce friction.
Motivation is what friction feels like when it drops.
A single environment tweak can change the whole loop.