Light the Spark: 5 Ways to Motivate Yourself When You Just Don’t Feel Like It

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar.

It was 6:15 AM on a Monday. I hit snooze for the third time. My to-do list was already stressing me out, and all I wanted to do was crawl back under the covers. Sound familiar?

We all have those mornings (and sometimes entire seasons) when motivation is lacking. It’s not that we don’t care. We do. But the fire feels low, and nothing’s pushing us forward.

Welcome to Fuel the Fire: The Motivation Series for Career-Driven Leaders—a 4-part series to help you rediscover your drive, protect your energy, and lead yourself with purpose. Every Monday this month, we’ll break down what really fuels motivation (and what kills it), with practical tools you can use right away. Whether you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or just ready to level up, this series will help you build the momentum you’ve been missing.

Here’s the truth no one talks about enough: motivation isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you build. And once you know how to build it, you don’t have to dread those slow, uninspired days anymore.

Let’s talk about how to light that spark—even when you’re just not feeling it.

1. Set One Micro Goal

Forget about the whole mountain. Just take one step.

When you’re feeling low on energy, the big picture can feel overwhelming. That’s why micro goals are so powerful. Pick one simple task that moves you forward—a 10-minute email draft, updating your resume headline, or just showing up to your workspace.

Success fuels success. One small win leads to another, and suddenly you’ve got momentum.

Try this:

Instead of saying, “I need to work on my presentation,” say, “I’m going to write the title slide.” That’s it. Start there.

2. Move Your Body, Change Your Mind

When you move, your brain wakes up.

A quick walk, stretch, or even dancing around your room can snap you out of a mental fog. Physical movement sends signals to your brain that it’s time to shift gears. Motivation often follows motion.

Don’t wait to feel good to move—move to feel good.

Try this:

Before diving into work, do 20 jumping jacks, take a 5-minute walk outside, or put on your favorite hype song and move like no one’s watching. (Because no one is!)

3. Reconnect with Your Why

When your “why” is clear, your effort has meaning.

Think about why you started this job, this project, this journey. Was it freedom? Growth? Helping others? Sometimes the fire dims because we forget what we’re working toward.

Write down your top three reasons for doing what you do. Keep that list somewhere you’ll see it every day.

Try this:

Tape your “why” to your bathroom mirror or laptop. When you feel stuck, let it remind you that your effort matters.

4. Use the 5-Minute Rule

You don’t have to commit to an hour. Just five minutes.

Tell yourself: “I’ll do this task for five minutes, and if I still don’t feel it, I can stop.” Most of the time, once you start, you’ll keep going.

Getting started is the hardest part. This trick removes the pressure.

Try this:

Pick one thing you’ve been putting off. Set a timer for five minutes. Start. You can stop after that—but chances are, you won’t want to.

5. Talk to Your Future Self

Your future self is counting on you.

Picture the version of you a year from now—the one who got the promotion, finished the degree, and launched the side hustle. That version of you didn’t get there by accident. They were driven. They made moves on days just like this one.

Try this:

Write a quick note from your future self:

“Thank you for showing up when it was hard. Because of that, I’m thriving today.”

Put it somewhere you’ll see when you need a little push.

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Stay Consistent

Motivation isn’t magic—it’s muscle. And like any muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

So if today feels heavy, don’t try to do everything. Just do one thing. Light the spark. The fire will follow.

Your Move

Pick one strategy from this list and try it today. Just one.

Then tomorrow, do it again. Don’t chase motivation—create it.

Want more powerful tools like this? Subscribe to the EXCEL2WIN Leadership Newsletter to get weekly strategies that help you grow, lead, and win in your career.

The 5 Second Rule

Ever find yourself staring at a task you know you should do—but instead, you scroll, snack, or snooze? Mel Robbins’ The 5 Second Rule is the kickstart we all need to beat hesitation and take action.

In this game-changing book, Robbins shares how one simple trick—counting down 5-4-3-2-1 and moving—can break your brain’s autopilot and push you into motion. Whether it’s getting out of bed, speaking up in a meeting, or tackling a long-overdue goal, the rule interrupts overthinking and builds confidence, momentum, and courage in real time.

It’s the perfect companion to our article, Light the Spark, where we explored ways to create motivation instead of waiting for it. The 5 Second Rule does just that—it gives you the tool to act before fear, doubt, or laziness sets in. And the best part? It works instantly.

This isn’t just about productivity. It’s about building a mindset that’s bold, intentional, and in control. Robbins proves you don’t need to feel ready—you just need five seconds of bravery.

Ready to stop waiting and start winning? Grab your copy of The 5 Second Rule today.

And for more weekly motivation, leadership tips, and growth tools, subscribe now to The EXCEL2WIN Leadership Newsletter.