I stopped waiting for motivation

astier de villatte

February 1, 2026

I used to wait for those intense bursts of energy to get things done. Like a full afternoon, an all-nighter, or the perfect window where everything finally clicks.

It felt productive in the moment but it never lasted. Because a few days later, I’d be back where I started – waiting again.

The toothbrushing realisation

Then I thought about something simple: brushing your teeth.

You can’t do it for one hour once a month and expect results. It’s the two minutes every day that matters.

And it made me realise, I’ve been approaching my goals the wrong way.

Consistency isn’t about intensity. It’s about showing up, even when it’s small. Even when it feels like it doesn’t count.

The two-minute shift

Lately, I’ve been trying something simple.

If I feel stuck, I give the task two minutes.

No pressure to finish.
Just start.

Because starting is usually the hardest part.

Small actions don’t feel impressive, but they add up. A few minutes becomes a habit. And over time, that habit becomes who you are.

So now, I’m not waiting for motivation. I just start. And then I do it again the next day.

What do you do when something shifts your perspective?

I’m exploring this as I go. Follow along if you are too.

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