Have you ever felt like you need to do something, but you just can’t find the will to start? Maybe you finally have some free time, you could work out, read that book you’ve always wanted, or even write your own. And instead, you find yourself on the couch with a bag of chips in hand, the TV droning on in the background. Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone, but there’s something you need to know: you’re waiting for motivation, and that’s a huge mistake.

Marisa Peer, a successful author, would tell you that motivation doesn’t come knocking on your door. There’s no “motivation fairy” that shows up and says, “Hey, I’m here to get you off the couch and change the world.” No, motivation follows action, not the other way around. Waiting to feel motivated to do something is like waiting to feel thirsty before drinking water—you might end up waiting too long.

The Key is to Act, Not Wait

Think about it: how many times have you started doing something small, like tidying up one room, and then ended up cleaning the whole house? That’s because the very act of starting gives you the momentum to keep going. You don’t have to want to do it; you just have to start. Marisa knows this well. Even with all her workout equipment at home, she’s not always excited to exercise. But guess what? She starts anyway, and motivation comes along the way.

The same goes for anything else: writing a book, working out, or even just catching up on those overdue emails. Start with a small step, even if you don’t feel like it, and you’ll see that motivation will catch up with you once you’re already in motion.

Words Have Power

Another gem Marisa shares is the importance of the language you use with yourself. If you think, “Ugh, I hate doing this,” your brain will take you at your word and find a thousand excuses to make you stop. Instead, try saying, “I love doing this” or “I want to do this.” It might seem like a lie at first, but your brain is easily fooled (and this is a trick you can use to your advantage).

Have you ever tried telling yourself, “I love running” while you’re struggling up a hill? It might sound ridiculous, but it works. Marisa talks about a runner who transformed his hated running experience into a joy just by changing the way he talked to himself. This is a prime example of how words can change your reality.

Choose to Love What You Do

Finally, remember it all comes down to choice. If you choose to do something and tell yourself you love it, you’re already winning. It doesn’t matter if it’s a workout, writing a chapter of your book, or just doing household chores. When you decide to love what you do, motivation becomes a natural consequence.

So, stop waiting for motivation to knock on your door. Start now. Pick up that pen, put on your sneakers, open that book, and let motivation follow your action. And remember, you have the power to change things, not your motivation. It’s just a guest that arrives once the party’s already started.

You’ve already taken the first step by reading this article. Now, what are you waiting for? Go and take action!