#174 The Problem with Motivation
Thu Feb 05 2026
Motivation gets an unhealthy amount of hype. In this episode, I’m discussing why motivation is an unreliable (and often unhelpful) thing to chase, and what to pay attention to instead if you want to actually move forward in your business without forcing yourself into a performance.
This isn’t about “try harder” or “push through”. It’s about realistic positivity, a bit of readiness, and building momentum through small, aligned actions, especially if you’re tired, neurodivergent, or allergic to the rah-rah internet.
In this episode, I cover:
Why motivation is a flimsy foundation (and disappears quickly)
The difference between motivation and momentum
Why “readiness” is a quiet thing that often shows up after you begin
A better set of signals to watch for: calm, relief, curiosity, less dread
How to use tiny “yes” actions to build momentum (without needing any bro-energy)
Why demand-avoidance and nervous system capacity matter more than hype
A simple reframe: don’t ask “Am I motivated?”; ask “Am I able?”
💥 If this episode sparked something, message me on Instagram or LinkedIn, or email me, and tell me what's going on for you.
🧡 If you want support getting reorientated in your business, take a look at the Messy Business Community: https://libbylangley.com/community.
📙 And if you’d like more of this thinking in book form, you can read Life in Business here: https://libbylangley.com/book.
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Motivation gets an unhealthy amount of hype. In this episode, I’m discussing why motivation is an unreliable (and often unhelpful) thing to chase, and what to pay attention to instead if you want to actually move forward in your business without forcing yourself into a performance. This isn’t about “try harder” or “push through”. It’s about realistic positivity, a bit of readiness, and building momentum through small, aligned actions, especially if you’re tired, neurodivergent, or allergic to the rah-rah internet. In this episode, I cover: Why motivation is a flimsy foundation (and disappears quickly) The difference between motivation and momentum Why “readiness” is a quiet thing that often shows up after you begin A better set of signals to watch for: calm, relief, curiosity, less dread How to use tiny “yes” actions to build momentum (without needing any bro-energy) Why demand-avoidance and nervous system capacity matter more than hype A simple reframe: don’t ask “Am I motivated?”; ask “Am I able?” 💥 If this episode sparked something, message me on Instagram or LinkedIn, or email me, and tell me what's going on for you. 🧡 If you want support getting reorientated in your business, take a look at the Messy Business Community: https://libbylangley.com/community. 📙 And if you’d like more of this thinking in book form, you can read Life in Business here: https://libbylangley.com/book.