Why being motivated isn't enough.

I recently read a very interesting piece by Nikesh Lagun (2025) on how to switch the brain on for action. Lagun explores a phenomenon many of us know all too well: really wanting to do something, feeling highly motivated — and yet never actually starting.

You know what you need to do.

You’ve thought about it.

You’ve prayed about it.

You even feel motivated.

And still — nothing happens.

Lagun calls this motivated in-action. And if we’re honest, it’s something most of us have been guilty of at some point. Motivation without movement is often fear wearing a productive mask. Without rewriting his entire work here, several of his points stood out to me — especially as we step into the first days of a new year.

So many New Year’s resolutions fail simply because they never get off the ground.

Last year, I was highly motivated to start painting again. I never painted a single piece. Not one. It reminds me of Paul’s words in Scripture: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:19)

You are not stuck because you lack motivation.

You are not moving because ignition hasn’t happened.

Think about everything required for a car to move: an engine, petrol, wheels — and most importantly, a starter. Without ignition, all the components are present, yet nothing happens.

Could it be that motivated in-action has become a façade of focus? A feeling of movement without actual progress? It creates the illusion of change, but it’s really just a strong desire for change — not change itself.

Many have tried to explain this failure to ignite despite high motivation. Some point to fear of failure, procrastination, lack of clarity, irrational thoughts, or even poor goal-setting. Others suggest that more drive is the answer. But drive keeps you moving once you’ve started — it doesn’t help much when you’re stuck.

Albert Bandura proposed that people are more likely to start something if they believe they can succeed. That may be true — but what if it’s guaranteed success that feels threatening? What if clarity itself feels confronting?

Angela Duckworth, one of my favourite authors, has shown that grit and perseverance are powerful predictors of success — even more so than talent or intelligence. But again, grit helps you persist. It doesn’t help you begin.

Then there’s dopamine — the brain’s “wanting system.” It fuels desire and anticipation, something people with ADHD know well. Yet many still experience action paralysis. Wanting something is not the same as doing something.

Lagun pulls all of this together and arrives at a key insight: motivation does not cause ignition. Action is not the outcome of motivation alone.

Perhaps that’s why many people no longer make New Year’s resolutions. They’re tired. Discouraged. Fatigued by the endless cycle of thinking about starting — but never moving. Over time, this erodes self-trust. Frustration turns into shame. Faith becomes quieter. Confidence in yourself — and sometimes even in God — begins to waver.

If you’re tired of feeling this way and want to break the cycle, let this be your new beginning.

Lagun suggests several ways to overcome in-action. The following six questions are a helpful place to start diagnosing what’s preventing ignition. When you feel stuck, or when you’re standing at the edge of something new, ask yourself:

1. Are you switched on?

Returning to my desire to paint — have I pulled out my brushes? Restocked supplies? Looked at tutorials or techniques? Or am I mindlessly scrolling on my phone, unsure where the paint even is?

Getting “switched on” doesn’t mean starting. It means preparing for ignition. Sometimes all it takes is a small, intentional decision — like turning the key.

2. Are you energized?

Is there a sense of readiness? Momentum? Or does the idea feel flat?

Simply knowing something matters — like wanting to get healthier — isn’t enough. Energy fuels movement. Sometimes you have to actively fan the flame. Be your own cheerleader.

3. Does the task match your current ability?

Have you set the goal so far beyond your current capacity that it feels impossible? Wanting to run Comrades when you can barely walk around the block is a recipe for paralysis.

Educators call this the Zone of Proximal Development — growth happens just beyond what’s comfortable, not miles beyond what’s realistic. Adjust the goal if you need to.

4. Do you feel anchored?

Is your focus steady, or is your environment chaotic? Are distractions pulling you in every direction? Do you need to declutter — literally or emotionally?

Sometimes the issue isn’t discipline. It’s overload.

5. What’s the resistance?

Does the task feel emotionally threatening? Is there fear of failure? Mental overload? Unresolved tension?

Think of unprocessed stress like tabs open on your browser — each one slows you down.

6. Are intrusive thoughts interrupting momentum?

Lagun describes these as turbulence — sudden shifts in thought or emotion that knock you off course. Unrealistic scenarios. Doubt talk. Inner narratives with no real evidence.

Catch them early. Don’t let them decide for you.

At GIEAM, we don’t push people into action.

We help them slow down enough to understand what’s really holding them back.

Managing Your Own Life is designed for people who are ready to stop circling the same intentions — and start moving with clarity.

You don’t need more motivation.

You need a starting point that makes sense.