Are You Tired of Waiting for Motivation?
There’s this myth we all hear, especially as moms: "If I could just get motivated, I’d be able to do it all." You’re waiting for that spark, that burst of energy that’ll magically make you feel ready to tackle everything. But let’s face it, you never feel ready. You sit down, staring at the laundry, the dishes, the to-do list and feeling the “heavy- mountain” inside your heart— but that "motivated feeling" never shows up, because of the emotional numbness we broke down in the previous blog post.
And that’s okay. Because I’ve got news for you: Motivation is overrated.
Instead of waiting around for that magical feeling, you need something far more reliable — something that actually works.
In this blog, I’m going to show you how to let go of the myth of motivation and embrace a system that helps get things done, because it’s based on something real: your natural energy.
How I Used to Wait for Motivation (and What Changed)
I remember a time when I thought motivation was the key to everything. I would start each day with high hopes: “Today is the day I get everything done!” I’d sit down at my desk or start a new task, only to find that my energy would plummet within minutes. My mind was racing, my to-do list was growing, but my motivation was nowhere to be found.
I’d stare at the pile of work, telling myself that I just needed to get started, that the motivation would come once I began. But no matter how many times I tried, it never happened, like I did the work but motivation? Not really... I would end up in the same cycle, wishing I had the energy to start, yet feeling completely drained.
It wasn’t until I shifted my perspective that everything changed.
Why Motivation Doesn’t Work for Moms (And What Actually Does)
It’s time for a wake-up call: waiting for motivation is a trap. Most people, moms included, believe that motivation is the magical ingredient that will make everything fall into place. But here’s the reality: Motivation is fickle. It comes and goes, and when you rely on it sololy, you’re setting yourself up for constant disappointment.
So, what’s the answer? The truth is, the key to success as a mom and a human being isn’t motivation at all. It’s something much more effective and sustainable: energy-based planning.
Here’s why it works:
Studies show that our energy naturally fluctuates throughout the day. In the morning, you might feel energized, while by the afternoon, you’re ready for a nap. This ebb and flow are normal, and they’re tied to your body’s circadian rhythm. Understanding your natural energy pattern is the first step in creating a plan that works.
If you continue to push yourself to do everything when you have low energy, you’re going to burn out. But if you plan your day according to your energy levels, you’ll find that tasks feel easier, you’re more productive, and you avoid the frustration that comes with feeling unmotivated.
How to Use Your Energy to Your Advantage: The Secret to Getting More Done
Now, you might be wondering: How do I actually apply this energy-based planning? Great question!
Let’s break it down step-by-step so you can start using your energy to your advantage, instead of waiting for motivation to show up.
Step 1: Identify Your Energy Peaks and Dips
We all have different energy patterns throughout the day. Some of us are morning people, while others get a second wind in the evening. Here’s the trick: pay attention to when your energy is naturally higher or lower. Do you feel more alert in the morning, or are you sluggish until the afternoon? Do you hit a mid-afternoon slump? Identifying these patterns will help you make the most of your natural rhythms.
For example: If you feel energized first thing in the morning, tackle your most important tasks then. If you’re sluggish in the afternoon, save the less demanding tasks — like answering emails or tidying up — for that time.
Step 2: Align Your Tasks With Your Energy
Once you’ve identified your energy highs and lows, it’s time to plan your day around them. This means doing the hardest, most demanding tasks when you have the most energy, and saving the less mentally challenging tasks for when your energy dips.
Here’s an example of how it might look in practice:
- High-Energy Period (Morning): Focus on deep work & creation, like cooking, brainstorming ideas for events or planning them, checking missed ingredients in the kitchen, creating a flow of activities for the family...
- Low-Energy Period (Afternoon): Use this time to catch up on routine tasks like organizing items, checking and responding to emails, or doing light cleaning…
Step 3: Respect Your Energy and Avoid Forcing It
This is the most important part: don’t force yourself to work when you’re running on empty. We all have those days when we feel like we just can’t do it. Instead of pushing through, use that time to rest and recharge. Your brain needs breaks, and respecting your body’s need for recovery is key to maintaining long-term productivity.
When you take breaks and allow yourself to rest, you actually make your work time more efficient. Trying to push through on low energy only leads to burnout, frustration, and procrastination.
Eventually? Less self-esteem and satisfactory!
Energy-Based Planning: How It Will Change Your Life
Now that you know the steps, let me explain why this method is so effective.
Energy-based planning isn’t just about doing things when you feel like it. It’s about being strategic with your time, honoring your natural rhythms, and learning how to work with your body, not against it. This approach isn’t just a “hack” — it’s a sustainable way to get more done without feeling burnt out.
When you align your tasks with your energy levels, everything becomes easier. You’re no longer fighting against your body’s natural flow, and you can start feeling more in control of your day. Think of a car that has low levels of fuel, you need to go to the station to fill it, don’t you? The same thing with your body, either doing light tasks to save the momentum or rest. No more waiting for motivation to strike — now you know exactly when to act, and what to do when.
Get Started Today With My “Free Energy-based Planning” Notion Template
Are you ready to start using energy-based planning in your own life? I’ve created a simple tool to help you do just that: the “Energy-based Planning” Notion Template. This tool allows you to track your energy patterns and plan your week accordingly, so you’re always working in your most energized moments.
The best part? It’s completely free, and it’s waiting for you below. This template will help you stop the cycle of waiting for motivation and start getting things done with ease.
Note: This free tool lives right here — no email, no forms, no hoops. If it brings you a little calm today, I want you to have it.
If you’d like to quietly hear tiny lessons, honest notes, occasional offers, and behind-the-scenes things I don’t post publicly — you’re warmly invited to join the list.
You can subscribe below, or simply tick the box when you grab your tool.
Don’t forget to check your spam BTW!
Before You Go: Your Action Plan
Let’s recap the key steps:
- Identify your energy peaks and dips — when do you feel the most energized?
- Align your tasks with your energy — tackle the hardest work when your energy is highest.
- Respect your rhythms — take breaks when needed and avoid forcing productivity when you’re low on energy.
This simple shift will change the way you work and feel every day.
And if this landed for you, and you’re ready to finally lead your days instead of chasing them, you’ll want to peek inside the Unstoppable Mom Pack — it’s the reset button you didn’t know you needed.
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