The Effect of Motivation When It Comes from Within

 

Motivation can come from the outside, but the truth is: one day it fades. When that happens, both our performance and our life can take a hit.

But motivation can also come from inside. From within the self - and that kind isn’t at the mercy of external factors.

Take this example: you’ve got a big project ahead. It demands long hours and a lot of effort. At first, your external motivation is high: the challenge excites you (it’s something new), you’re working with a solid team, and the pay is great (four months’ salary in one go!).

Then reality sets in: the challenge stops being new as even the most exciting project eventually slips into routine; that team you praised? turns out those people are a pain, arrogant and difficult, and to top it off, you discover your sister-in-law is making 30% more at the same company for a similar work. Just like that, your external motivation evaporates.

Now let’s flip the lens. Same project, but with a different type of motivation, an internal motivation. You see it as an opportunity to train and to grow your skills, strengthen patience and determination and reinforce self-esteem. By the end, you have become better, regardless of the pay, the novelty or the people. These inner drivers don’t just vanish - though they do need to be cultivated.

In times like these, any kind of motivation helps. But it’s good to remember: we don’t always need to look outside to stay motivated.

 

This is the first post in a series about motivation - starting from within.

Taking a Decision Break…

 

Some time ago, I wrote about decision fatigue - that invisible drain that happens when we are constantly making choices, both big and small. At that time, I briefly mentioned something I called a decision break. But what is that, really?

While the term can have other meanings, here I’m focusing on pausing in the middle of a decision process. Why does it matter?

We all know that some decisions are quick and almost automatic, while others take a lot of thought. When a decision process drags on, it doesn’t just consume time - it consumes energy. The more we think, compare, evaluate and second-guess, the more exhausted we become.

And what happens when we’re exhausted? We become more likely to choose the easiest or more convenient option. instead of the right one. In other words, a decision fatigue pushes us toward bad choices - not because we would not know better, but because we were too tired to follow through. That is the point in which a decision break comes in.

Stop, rest and then decide… It means giving yourself permission to step away from the process before finalizing, rather than forcing an answer.

By taking a decision break, you allow your mind to recharge by using many methods and tactics, such as:

• Sleeping on it before replying.
• Taking a walk instead of staring at the options again and again.
• Shifting focus to something completely different, so the brain can “breathe”.
• Talking to a different person, hopefully someone who is not involved in the decision process.
• Read and write, reflecting on life, being…

The effect is almost magical as what felt tangled suddenly looks clearer and that impossible decision is now manageable.

A break doesn’t just save energy; it restores perspective. When you pause, your subconscious keeps working in the background, integrating information without the stress of constant analysis. That’s why sometimes, after a break, the answer “just comes”.

I would like to suggest you a small practice for your next decision:

1. Pause. It can be calling a good friend, taking a coffee break or meditate. The longer the pause (without compromising the process you are), more relaxed you will become and fatigue will be prevented.
2. Step away - physically or mentally. Close the computer for one hour, go for a walk alone or with someone who is not going to talk to you about the process itself. If it is possible, disconnect yourself and enjoy a bit of tech detox.
3. Come back with fresh energy. Now, don’t stop there… a decision break will be valid only when you go back with a fresh perspective. Maybe it is not going to reinvent the wheel, but it will certainly show an unexplored path.

This can make the difference between a rushed choice and a wise one. So, if you ever find yourself in the middle of an endless decision process, a tiring debate or a heating argument, remember: maybe what you need is not more thinking or more talking, but a very good decision break.

The REAL effect of motivation

 

My perception about motivational speakers is that they are often a bit… shallow. Yes, most motivation techniques only touch the surface of a person; it feels like a very elaborate joke.

However, real motivation is something different. You see it portrayed in movies, songs, and people’s speeches and acts. It has the power to change another person’s life - or a whole situation - in such a way that there is no turning back.

Here are a few examples of real motivation:

• Remember the Titans. Not exactly a masterpiece of cinema, but it touches the heart and inspires us to see people from different backgrounds with a new perspective.
• Patch Adams. Motivation from the perspective of health. Even though it became controversial, the idea of bringing clowns into hospitals has proven to bring real results. In São Paulo, in one of the most dangerous areas dominated by drugs, psychiatrist Flavio Falcone continues this legacy, bringing hope and a ray of light.
• Songs. Too many to count! But here’s a short list:
• Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey). Don’t get trapped by your financial status or circumstances.
• Conqueror (Estelle & Jussie Smollett). Less known, but incredibly performed by Kechi Okwuchi (Kechi Sings). Just listen and see how uplifting it is.
• Maria, Maria (Milton Nascimento). A masterpiece that has inspired countless women living in vulnerable or poor conditions to find their inner greatness.
• Color Esperanza (Diego Torres). During one of Argentina’s darkest economic times, this song awakened hope across the country.
• Stories. From tales, history or simply someone sharing their experience, stories can be deeply motivational. Think of the mentors, teachers, parents, grandparents - or even strangers - who show you a new light, a new hope, maybe even a new path. Don’t you feel like doing something about your life after hearing stories like that? I will tell you one (in brief) told by a friend of mine: A young man from a rural area of Colombia won a school competition about space. A friend of mine helped him raise funds to compete nationally - he won again. Later, after military service, he competed internationally. Eventually, he ended up working at NASA.

Motivation is everywhere: in films, songs, stories and in the people who cross our paths. But the deepest kind of motivation comes from within - something I’ll touch on in another post.

The question of decision fatigue

 

A few years ago, a friend of mine went to buy a deodorant. I was with him, but I stayed at the entrance of the supermarket with the person who was hosting us. After twenty minutes, she started to get worried - how long could it take to choose one deodorant? I went to check, and there he was, staring at a small shelf with only a handful of options… Twenty minutes, and still no decision.

Now imagine someone like him, but at the end of a long, exhausting day. They still need to call three people, buy a gift, fill out a work form and complete travel paperwork. Each small choice adds up until the brain feels like it’s running on fumes.

An official report drew my attention: When Good People Make Bad Decisions. Of course, anyone can make a mistake because of ignorance, poor planning or pressure, but sometimes, even very good and competent people make bad decisions due to another factor: decision fatigue.

People who are smart, trained, capable and kind mess up because of being worn out from choosing and deciding, again and again.

This is what psychologists call decision fatigue. As psychotherapist Natacha Duke explains, it isn’t a medical condition but a very real phenomenon: the more decisions you make throughout the day, the more mentally, emotionally and physically drained you become. Decisions are made by the intellect or buddhi (Sanskrit), which is your executive functioning - the part of you that decides, plans and prioritizes. It starts to falter and when that slips, so does a good decision.

That’s why firefighters, pilots and doctors often rely on protocols and checklists, which reduce unnecessary decisions and the energy is saved to be used for the critical ones. Maybe you can create protocols for your own life, suited to your needs, or simply start building habits, simplifying routines and taking “decision breaks” (a period of reflection, disconnecting from demanding circumstances, meditation). It will make a big difference.

And maybe, there’s also a more spiritual side to this. Not every decision has to be wrestled with logic. Some choices get lighter when we pause, breathe, meditate and connect with a deeper sense of clarity. Better decisions come from a calmer place.

So, the next time you’re standing in front of a shelf - whether of deodorants or crucial life choices - remember: sometimes the smartest move is to step back, clear your mind and only then, make a good decision.