Mike MichalowiczBusiness Author & Keynote Speaker Empowering Entrepreneurs

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 the mental 'caloric burn' required to initiate action. In contrast, habits are described as routinized behaviors that require far less effort. The speaker proposes that to achieve desired outcomes, one should convert intentions into habits. As a concrete illustration, they describe placing their sneakers on the toilet seat each morning, turning the routine bathroom visit into a cue that automatically leads to having the sneakers in hand for a workout, thereby bypassing the need for motivation.

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.