I lost my motivation. What should I do?

Have you ever felt highly motivated one day, only to wake up the next morning feeling completely drained? You’re not alone. Motivation is a state of mind—it comes and goes because our minds are constantly changing. No one can be motivated 24/7, and that’s perfectly normal. The real key to success isn’t motivation—it’s discipline.

Think about it: Have you ever met a successful person who only worked when they felt like it? Whether it’s studying for exams, building a career, or achieving personal goals, discipline is what keeps people moving forward even when motivation fades. A student may feel inspired to study after hearing a success story, but if they don’t develop a habit of consistent learning, their initial excitement will fade, and so will their progress.

Motivation generally falls into two categories: internal and external. Internal motivation comes from within. It happens when you are clear about your goals and driven by a strong personal reason. For example, if you’re determined to improve your family's living conditions, that deep awareness can keep you focused even when times get tough. However, even internal motivation can be affected by circumstances, stress, or setbacks. External motivation, on the other hand, comes from outside influences—like seeing a friend buy a new car or hearing an inspiring speech. While these external factors can push you to take action, their effect is temporary. A motivational video might energize you for a few hours, but if you don’t have discipline, that feeling will fade, and you’ll return to your old habits.

No matter where your motivation comes from, it won’t help you in the long run if you lack discipline. Discipline means showing up and putting in the work, even when you don’t feel like it. Athletes don’t train only when they’re motivated—they train every day because they’ve built discipline. Writers don’t wait for inspiration—they sit down and write, again and again, revising multiple drafts until they finally produce something worthwhile.

If you want lasting success, stop relying on motivation and start building habits. Motivation is the spark, but discipline is the engine that keeps you moving forward.