The Motivational Engine

March 17, 2025

It comes down to what we think are our priorities. This isn't a blog post to spark your motivational engine. The truth is, as I've discovered it, we do what we find important. And we ignore the rest.

There was a time I invested (wasted money on) in a liquor cabinet and several crystal decanters. A nightly drink became my priority and because of this, I rushed through bed time with my daughter, in favor of getting to my nightly vice sooner. That is why I stopped drinking.

The time I launched my own business and then worked with clients or worked to get new ones. I prioritized that and neglected my wife.

There were nights I prioritized comfort and sat on the couch instead of doing what I've been neglecting. When I picked up a bag of lays classics I prioritized a craving and neglected my health.

A priority is something we do, regardless of everything. Yet we prefer to have our motivation high or full, in order to do something. When we rely on motivation, we tell ourselves that the action we need to take is optional. Jocko Willink tells us that motivation is a feeling, an emotion. The problem isn't the lack of motivation. The problem is we depend on it too much. The problem is a lack of prioritization.

When it is a priority its important and our actions support that. Just like when we decide something is optional, our actions support that too.

I hope this helps.