Hey {{ first name | there }}! Welcome back to The Flow by Flocus. And to the 8,061 new subscribers this week, hello and welcome 👋 If you’re new here, you can catch up on our previous editions right here.
This week: We're diving into why motivation is meh, why momentum is better — and of course, easy and actionable ways to build your own momentum. Let’s jump in.
🚫 Why Motivation is Overrated
Everybody talks about motivation. It feels great when it’s there, but it isn’t reliable and doesn’t truly move the needle. Here’s why:
Motivation is unpredictable. It can come strong one day, and be completely gone the next, making it an unreliable foundation for consistency and progress.
It encourages you to procrastinate. Waiting for motivation is often an excuse for not starting important things.
Motivation’s easily zapped by life’s daily stresses and demands.
⚡ Why Momentum is In
Momentum is where the magic happens. It's powerful because:
You're in a constant state of motion, making it easier to start tasks without the mental barrier of waiting for the “right moment”.
It takes less effort over time. Unlike motivation, momentum builds upon itself and compounds. Each step you take, no matter how small, moves you forward.
Momentum builds resilience and trains you to push through any challenges or setbacks — which are often barriers when relying just on motivation.
🛠 How to Create Momentum
Here’s how you can build momentum, starting today:
Start your day with easy wins
Quickly rack up small victories at the start of your day.
Before going to bed, try purposefully leaving a small chore for an easy start the next morning — like emptying the dishwasher, or throwing in a load of laundry.
Batch your tasks
This will reduce context switching and keep you in your flow state.
Pick strategic habits
Establish daily routines that naturally lead to productive behavior — like a healthy breakfast, or 5 minutes of mindfulness.
Put things in sight
Before you sign off for the day, put your to-do list for the next day on your desk (or open it up if it’s digital).
On your computer, open up the first task you need to tackle the next day — whether it's an email you need to respond to, or a file you need to work on. Doing this removes friction for getting started the next day.
Keep a visual track record
It can be using a simple habit tracker, reviewing your completed to-do list at the end of each day, or marking off dates on a printable calendar. Having a visual of your progress will keep momentum alive.
Like Nike, just do it
The hardest part about doing anything is getting started. If you’re struggling to get moving on a task, commit to just 5 minutes of work on it. Once you’re in it and have found your rhythm, it’ll be hard to stop!
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That's it for this week — let's hit the ground running tomorrow and keep that momentum going right through the week ⚡️
Until next Sunday,
Flocus Team
