{"product_id":"the-motivation-myth-isbn-9780399563768","title":"The Motivation Myth","description":"\u003cb\u003eFrom Inc.com's most popular columnist, a counterintuitive--but highly practical--guide to finding and maintaining the motivation to achieve great things.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It's comforting to imagine that superstars in their fields were just born better equipped than the rest of us. When a co-worker loses 20 pounds, or a friend runs a marathon while completing a huge project at work, we assume they have more grit, more willpower, more innate talent, and above all, more motivation to see their goals through.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e But that's not at actually true, as popular Inc.com columnist Jeff Haden proves. \"Motivation\" as we know it is a myth. Motivation isn't the special sauce that we require at the beginning of any major change. In fact, motivation is a \u003ci\u003eresult \u003c\/i\u003eof process, not a cause. Understanding this will change the way you approach any obstacle or big goal.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Haden shows us how to reframe our thinking about the relationship of motivation to success. He meets us at our level--at the beginning of any big goal we have for our lives, a little anxious and unsure about our way forward, a little burned by self help books and strategies that have failed us in the past—and offers practical advice that anyone can use to stop stalling and start working on those dreams.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Haden takes the mystery out of accomplishment, proving that success isn't about spiritual awakening or a lightning bolt of inspiration --as Tony Robbins and adherents of The Secret believe--but instead, about clear and repeatable processes. Using his own advice, Haden has consistently drawn 2 million readers a month to his posts, completed a 107-mile long mountain bike race, and lost 10 pounds in a month.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Success isn't for the uniquely-qualified; it's possible for any person who understands the true nature of motivation. Jeff Haden can help you transcend average and make lasting positive change in your life.Advance praise for \u003ci\u003eThe Motivation Myth\u003c\/i\u003e…\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “This isn’t just a groundbreaking approach to making millions or melting off extra pounds. It’s a life-changing mental shift toward enjoying the process. Why the f*ck not?”\u003cbr\u003e—Sarah Knight, author of \u003ci\u003eGet Your Sh*t Together\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “Jeff Haden knows what many people don’t: that success is less about searching for motivation and more about muddling through until you achieve something motivating.”\u003cbr\u003e—Adam Grant, author of \u003ci\u003eGive and Take, Originals, and Option B \u003c\/i\u003ewith Sheryl Sandberg\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “Sometimes, your computer gets stuck, and the pros know you can press Command+Option+ESC to break out of the loop.  Jeff Haden's book is like that, but for your life. Read it and learn how to break out of your negative loops without needing a complete shut-down.”\u003cbr\u003e—Dharmesh Shah, Co-founder and CTO of HubSpot\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “A must read for all entrepreneurs, company executives, managers, parents, coaches, and wellbeing hackers.”\u003cbr\u003e—Dr. Dan Reardon, co-founder and CEO of FitnessGenes\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e \"Jeff Haden is one of the biggest writers working online today not because he's a genius but because he follows the advice in this book. It's not about motivation, it's about process--and hard work.\"\u003cbr\u003e —Ryan Holiday, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Obstacle is the Way\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eEgo is the Enemy\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e \" Jeff Haden takes everything we've been taught about goal-setting and turns it on its head, redefining success in the process.\"\u003cbr\u003e —Cara Alwill Leyba, author of \u003ci\u003eGirl Code\u003c\/i\u003e and master life coach\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e \"Jeff Haden upends a traditional trope: that motivation breeds success—by showing us that it is success that breeds motivation. Once you understand this, everything changes.\"\u003cbr\u003e —L. David Marquet, former Navy captain and author of \u003ci\u003eTurn the Ship Around!\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e \"Jeff Haden’s writing lives at the intersection of science, emotion, success, and irresistible story-telling. Once you read \u003ci\u003eThe Motivation Myth\u003c\/i\u003e, you’ll never sit around waiting for inspiration or motivation to hit, like some kind of gift from the gods. Instead, you’ll go out to get it.\"\u003cbr\u003e—Eric Schurenberg, President and Editor-in-Chief of Inc. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The whole book is shockingly good. Jeff contradicts common wisdom about how to tackle big goals. He argues that if you wait for motivation to motivate you, nothing will change in your career or life. Go grab yourself a copy of this superb book.” \u003cbr\u003e—Bruce Kasanoff, writer\u003cb\u003eJeff Haden\u003c\/b\u003e is Inc.com's most popular columnist and one of LinkedIn's most widely-followed Influencers. His work has also appeared on \u003ci\u003eTime\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eHuffington Post\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eFast Company\u003c\/i\u003e, Business Insider, \u003ci\u003eEntrepreneur\u003c\/i\u003e, Yahoo! Small Business, MSNBC, and CNBC.Chapter 1\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Motivation Is Not the Spark\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A key moment in Tony Robbins's \"Unleash the Power Within\" seminar      occurs when participants take part in the fire walk.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e (Okay, it's more like a \"kinda-hot coals\" walk, but \"fire\" sounds      more dangerous and macho and Katy Perry \"Roar\"-y. After all, Tony      does know a little something about branding.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e (Actually, Tony knows a lot about branding.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e (And actually, this is the last time I'll take a shot at Tony. I      think.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Robbins describes the fire walk as \"a symbolic experience that      proves if you can make it through the fire, you can make it      through anything.\" The premise sounds great: Walking across      kinda-hot coals gives you lasting confidence and motivation by      tapping into the amazing power lying dormant within you.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In fact, it doesn't.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Fire-walking is a one-off event. Fire-walking is like listening to      a motivational speech: You go home inspired and excited and all      jazzed up . . . but you wake up the next day the same person you      were the day before, because you haven't truly accomplished      anything.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e (Except listen. And pay for the seminar.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Most people are confused about me source of motivation. They think      motivation is the spark that automatically produces lasting      eagerness to do hard work; the greater the motivation, the more      effort you're willing to put in.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Actually, motivation is a result. Motivation is the pride you take      in work you have already done-which fuels your willingness to do      even more.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e That's why tips for how to feel more motivated often fall short.      Most of that advice can be boiled down to \"You can be more      motivated. All you have to do is dig deep into your mind and find      that motivation within.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e (And burn your feet a little.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The same is true for confidence, confidence being closely linked      to motivation. The thinking goes, \"You can be more confident. All      you have to do is decide to be more confident.\" It's easy:      Suppress negative thoughts, suppress negative perspectives, repeat      some really cool self-affirmational statements, and . . . presto!      I'm like Tony Robbins.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Or not.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The main problem in both cases is the way we've come to think      about motivation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Most definitions of \"motivation\" involve some phrase like \"the      force or influence that causes someone to do something.\"      Motivation is viewed as a spark, a precondition, a prerequisite, a      presomething that is required before we can start. If we aren't      motivated, we can't start. If we aren't motivated, we can't do.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Bullshit.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Real motivation comes after you start. Motivation isn't the result      of hearing a speech or watching a movie or crisping your soles.      Motivation isn't passive; motivation is active.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e How to Start When You're 0 Percent Motivated\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The best way to get motivated is to break a sweat, literally or      symbolically.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Getting started is often the hardest part. Financial planners      frequently recommend paying off a small debt first, even though      the balance on that bill may carry the lowest interest rate of all      your debts. Rationally, that approach makes no sense: If you carry      a balance on three credit cards, the card you pay off first should      be the one with the highest interest rate. But the thought of      paying off, say, a $7,000 balance when you can spare only an extra      $200 a month . . . ugh. The time horizon is too long for the      payoff-literally-to seem worth it. The \"irrational\" approach often      works better: Working to pay off the card with the smallest      balance seems a lot more attainable. Once you start, you can see      the difference. Knocking $200 off an $800 debt feels like you've      accomplished something. After next month, you're halfway done! And      once you pay off that card, you'll be motivated to keep going to      pay off the next card.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Think about why you sometimes procrastinate. (Don't say you never      put things off. Show me someone who doesn't procrastinate and I'll      show you a robot. Everyone procrastinates.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I definitely procrastinate.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e One example: I've written more than seven million published words.      (Please keep the jokes about long-windedness to yourself.) You      might then assume it's easy for me to sit down and write, but at      times it's anything but: I'll make calls, take care of      administrative tasks, do a little \"research\" (in my line of work,      any reading is research, right?), play with the cats . . . I love      to write, but sometimes the thought of writing seems daunting,      especially at the beginning of a project, when I need to find the      right voice and the best way into the material.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Except for the cats, I can rationalize that I'm being productive,      but usually I'm just procrastinating.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Another example: I like to ride bicycles. Over the last five or      six years I've ridden about 35,000 miles. I love riding, but      sometimes I'll do anything not to ride.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Neither makes sense, right? Writing and riding are both things I      love to do, yet at times I find ways to actively avoid doing them.      Putting off tasks I don't enjoy would make a lot more sense.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I love to ride my bike, but sometimes the thought of riding seems      daunting, especially those first few miles, when it's cold outside      and my legs are stiff and my heart has just started to pound. I      pant and gasp and wonder why I'm on the stupid bike . . . but then      something magical happens. Somehow my aversion to \"hard\" goes away      once I break a sweat.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The endorphins kick in. My legs warm up. I feel proud that I can      do something hard, and do it reasonably well. That rush of      satisfaction I always feel? (That rush of satisfaction you always      feel when you start doing something you've put off . . . and      suddenly realize it wasn't as daunting as you anticipated?) I know      that feeling will come. I've trained myself to anticipate that      natural \"high.\" Instead of thinking, \"Ugh. This is going to be      hard,\" I've taught myself to think, \"I can't wait for that little      high I'll feel when I move from inactivity to activity. I can't      wait to feel that rush I know I'll feel when I'm actually doing      what I planned to do.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The key is to enjoy the feeling of success that comes from      improving in some small way . . . and then rinse and repeat, over      and over again.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Why? Improving feels good. Improving breeds confidence. Improving      creates a feeling of competence, and competence breeds      self-confidence. Success-in your field or sometimes in any      field-breeds motivation. It feels good to improve . . . so you      naturally want to keep improving.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e You've probably put off a task, finally gotten started . . . and      then, once you got started, thought, \"I don't know why I kept      putting this off. It's going really well. And it didn't turn out      to be nearly as hard as I imagined.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e And here's the thing: It never is.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Why? Because once you get started, once you get active and start      doing something-doing not just anything but something you know      will get you one step closer to your goal-the process gets easier.      Motivation kicks in because you've gotten started. A really cool      virtuous cycle-one we'll look at in detail a little later-kicks      in. You feel good because you're engaged and involved.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e You feel motivated because you took action. Motivation is a      result, not a precondition. You don't need motivation to break a      sweat. Break a sweat and you'll feel motivated.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The best way to get motivated is to break a sweat, literally or      figuratively. Once you start, it's easy to keep going. The act of      getting out of the house to go for a jog is often harder than      actually running the five miles you planned. The act of sitting      down at your desk to start writing a proposal is often harder than      putting together twenty pages of material. The act of picking up      your phone is often harder than cold-calling twenty prospects.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e AU: Sentence is identical to p13 line 19\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Starting is hard because \"motivation\" doesn't make it easy to      start. Starting provides the motivation to finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Fire walks don't provide lasting motivation. Breaking a sweat      provides lasting motivation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Speeches don't provide lasting motivation. Progress provides      lasting motivation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Posters don't provide lasting motivation. Success provides lasting      motivation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e If you aren't achieving your goals, a lack of motivation or      confidence isn't the problem. A lack of motivation or confidence      is actually the means to a solution. When you accept your weak      points, when you accept your flaws, when you accept your      imperfections . . . that's when you can motivate yourself to make      changes and improve.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hide from your weaknesses, and you'll always be weak. Accept your      weaknesses and work to improve them, and you'll eventually be      stronger-and more motivated to keep improving.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e But you have to do the right things in order to make real      improvements. In upcoming chapters I'll show you how.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Before we do that, though, let's debunk some other myths that have      held you back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shortcuts Never Get You Where You Really Want to Go\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e You know this now, but it bears repeating: Lightning bolts of      inspiration strike only in the movies-or in the minds of people      who want to believe they're capable of inspiring you (if you pay      for the privilege, of course).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Wait for a sudden burst of inspiration and you'll never get      started . . . and if you do manage to ride that initial sugar-rush      wave, you'll never stick with it, because sugar rushes never last.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The same is true for seeking shortcuts. You can't \"hack\" your way      to success.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I love Tim Ferriss, but don't fool yourself: He works incredibly      hard. The real premise of The 4-Hour Workweek is to increase your      output by ten times per hour. Tim is the first to admit he has no      problem with hard work-the key is to apply your hard work to the      right things. But somehow that premise has been twisted to become      \"I just need to find the secret (something) that results in      instant success.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Of course there are no hacks. Sure, you can learn to peel a banana      a lot more effectively (thanks, Tim!), but real success,      meaningful success, is never instant. You absolutely should look      for better, more effective ways to accomplish your goal-and I'll      show you several-but there are no shortcuts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e There definitely aren't for me.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I'm as insecure as anyone I know. Where feeling confident and      self-assured is concerned, on a scale of one to one hundred, one      hundred being Oprah, I'm a one.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e So some years ago when I was invited to speak to an audience of      around 1,000 people, my first thought was \"Yes!\" My second thought      was \"Oh no!\" I had never spoken to an audience larger than about      150 people. Plus, I had been asked to speak on an unfamiliar      topic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Even so, the opportunity was too good to pass up. So I looked      around and found a few articles with tips on how to captivate a      large audience; it seemed all I needed to do was employ some big      nonverbal gestures and speak more loudly at some points and softly      at others, and boom: I'd kill.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Nope. I bombed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Granted, everyone told me I did fine. (To a speaker, being told      you were \"fine\" is like being a teenager who is told he has a good      personality.) Sure, I wanted to believe them. I wanted desperately      to ignore my feelings of incompetence, disappointment, and      failure.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e And then I realized I would never get better if I didn't (1)      accept the fact that I had failed and (2) work really hard to      improve. So I went back to the drawing board. I wrangled      invitations to local civic groups. I spoke to students at local      colleges. I forced myself to speak on topics outside my wheelhouse      so I could learn the mechanics of crafting a great hook and a      great story.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Sometimes I did well, sometimes I did poorly, but over time I      gained competence and skill.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Am I still nervous before I step out in front of a large crowd?      Oh, hell yeah. I'm a hot mess of insecurity. But I can work      through those feelings, not because I engage in a lot of happy      horseshit self-talk and fire-walking bravado but because I know      I've been there, done that, and can do it again. I'm confident      because I have success in my pocket. I'm confident because I've      done the work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Confidence comes from preparation. Hesitation, anxiety, fear . . .      Those feelings don't come from some deep, dark, irrational place      inside you. The anxiety you feel-the lack of confidence you      feel-comes from feeling unprepared. Once you realize that you can      prepare yourself, that you can develop techniques to do whatever      you seek to do well, that whatever you hope to achieve is      ultimately a craft that you can learn to do better and better and      better, and that any skills you currently lack you can learn, you      naturally become more confident as you become more prepared.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Take Jamie Little, a pit reporter for Fox Sports and the first      woman to accomplish several motor sports broadcasting milestones.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"When my mom and I moved to Las Vegas,\" she says, \"I met Carey      Hart [motocross racer, freestyle motocross competitor, married to      Pink]. He had a big influence on me. I thought he was the coolest      thing ever. I already had a thing for motorcycles, and I learned      about Supercross through him. I would take dirt-bike magazines to      class with me. . . . I loved it. It was my happy world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I went up to a guy working for ESPN at a race and said, 'How do I      get started?' He let me hang out for two years with no pay so I      could get my work known. I learned to write; I learned to      interview athletes. . . . It was a great training ground. I wasn't      getting paid, but that was okay.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e But that doesn't mean her path was easy. When Jamie started      working for ESPN covering NASCAR races, the challenges only      increased.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I don't think there was anything harder I could have taken on      than covering NASCAR at that level,\" she says. \"I look back and      wonder where I got the courage. I was coming into this garage;      there weren't a whole lot of people before me that had done it,      especially not women. . . . I had to figure things out on my own,      which was the best way but also the most challenging way.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"My confidence came from overpreparing. I still overprepare. I put      together a page of notes for every driver, talk to the drivers and      crew chiefs at the track . . . and then I use all that to help me      trim the fat down to the most pertinent facts and the best angles      to share with viewers during the broadcast. I use that same      approach with other forms of racing. Feeling overprepared lets me      feel confident and natural.\"","brand":"Portfolio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46302976508133,"sku":"NP9780399563768","price":28.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780399563768_875445c0-acf9-40e2-bec0-ade9d22b21a8.jpg?v=1767740586","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/the-motivation-myth-isbn-9780399563768","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}