Dave WordenTriumph Business Solutions · Founder

Motivation vs Habits - The one clear winner

24 Feb 2026 · 0 min

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In this brief monologue, the speaker reflects on why motivation feels difficult, attributing it to a high mental and caloric cost required to initiate actions. In contrast, habits are described as routinized behaviors that run on autopilot, making them far easier to execute. The speaker argues that to achieve desired outcomes, one should leverage habit formation rather than rely on fleeting motivation. As a concrete illustration, the speaker describes a personal cue‑based habit: placing sneakers on the toilet seat each morning so that the routine of using the bathroom automatically puts the shoes in hand, prompting an immediate workout.

We have a sign here for some new colleagues who are joining us at the office. And got me thinking about motivation versus habits. Why is motivation so hard? Well, the reason is there's a big caloric burn. I have to do this. I'm committed to do it. We have to process it. Where habits are routinized, its routine. So if you want to achieve an outcome, is there a way to leverage habits? Because if you can, it's easier for me with exercise. I put my sneakers on my toilet seat because my habit is to go to the bathroom in the morning and now my sneakers are in my hand.