Motivation is a bit like a dodgy Wi-Fi signal…
Unreliable, unpredictable, and guaranteed to disappear just when you need it most.
And yet, so many brilliant women in leadership are waiting for it.
Waiting for a clear head.
Waiting to feel inspired.
Waiting to feel ready.
It’s probably the thing that comes up most often in the coaching room, but let’s face reality:
Motivation doesn’t show up and get you started.
You start and motivation follows.
Coaching Room Insight: The Engine Won’t Start Itself
One of my clients recently said, “I know what I need to do, I’m just waiting until I feel more motivated.”
The problem? That feeling never came.
Why? Because she was stuck in a mental loop of perfectionism and overwhelm.
Her inner Judge – and a whole host of saboteurs – were running the show:
The Hyper-Achiever said, “You need to do it perfectly or not at all.”
The Controller said, “No one else can help, just do it yourself.”
The Avoider whispered, “Let’s just do something easier instead.”
So she stalled. Not because she wasn’t capable, but because she was waiting for a feeling that wasn’t coming.
Here’s what we did:
We stopped making motivation the prerequisite.
We made it the by-product.
She picked one tiny, laser-focused action.
Something so simple she couldn’t not do it.
Then she did it.
Then she celebrated it.
Then she felt the momentum.
That was the start of a new era for her (no it wasn’t Taylor!)
Golden Tip: Start the Engine First
If you’re waiting for motivation to land in your lap, try this instead:
Name the task. Be specific. Not “sort out work stuff” – but “create the first 3 slides for my deck.”
Start with the smallest first action, I’m talking laughably easy…”I’ll just open the Powerpoint”
Celebrate doing that step. Don’t wait until it’s finished – celebrate the fact that you started.
Movement creates motivation.
Action creates energy.
And progress, especially celebrated progress, is the fuel that keeps you going.
Latest Research: Why Motivation Follows Action
According to research in behavioural psychology, our brains release dopamine, the feel-good “reward” chemical, not before we do something, but after we’ve taken action and made progress.
This means:
You don’t get motivated to act.
You get motivated because you acted.
So the fastest way to boost motivation?
Start moving, even if it’s messy, small, or imperfect.
Coaching Proof: When the Shift Happens
“Before the Leadership Reset Mastermind, I kept putting things off, waiting to feel motivated. Now I know how to outsmart my saboteurs, focus on small wins, and get myself moving. The best part? That momentum has carried into every part of my leadership.”
— Amelia*, Leadership Reset Graduate
Amelia was putting off life, always thinking about making change.
Frustrated with herself when she couldn’t.
The great thing about the Reset Mastermind – is we get to the root causes of our behaviour, quickly!
And then take inspired action to move forward.
Amelia has been able to develop her own way of fuelling her engine so she knows she can take laser-focused action to get the results she needs.
She changed roles (after years of thinking about it), and realises now that she can do whatever she wants, when she puts her new strategies into action.
*not real name
Ready to stop overthinking and start leading with more ease?
The doors are opening soon for Cohort 10 of the Leadership Reset Mastermind.
This is where brilliant women stop overthinking, stop waiting, and start leading with more ease and impact—without burning out.
Want in early (or just a quiet chat about whether it’s right for you)?
Let’s talk now before spaces go.
They always fill fast.
Because progress doesn’t wait for perfect timing—and neither should you.
