By Steven Clark
Introduction: My Story of Struggle and Change
My name is Steven Clark. Today, people might describe me as a “successful entrepreneur” or a “motivated achiever.” But if you had met me ten years ago, you would have seen a very different man—tired, overwhelmed, living paycheck to paycheck, and convinced that success was something reserved for other people.
For years, I struggled with procrastination, financial instability, and a lack of direction. I read books, attended seminars, and listened to endless motivational speeches. They gave me a temporary boost, but the energy never lasted. I kept waiting for the “perfect moment” to act, but that moment never came.
Everything began to change the day I stopped chasing temporary inspiration and started building a system of personal motivation. Instead of looking for external pushes, I created habits, rules, and frameworks that kept me going—even when I didn’t feel like it.
This article is my personal story and the ten principles of motivation that transformed my life. They are not theories from a textbook—they are practices I tested through years of trial, error, and hard lessons.
1. Start With Crystal-Clear Goals
One of my biggest problems in the past was that I had no clarity. I wanted “success,” “wealth,” and “freedom,” but those were vague words with no definition.
Everything shifted when I embraced the SMART method: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
- Instead of saying, “I want to be financially free,” I said: “I want to pay off $20,000 of debt within 18 months.”
- Instead of saying, “I want to get fit,” I wrote: “I will run three times per week and lose 15 pounds by June.”
Clear goals gave me a target to aim at, which is the first spark of real motivation. Without a target, your brain has no direction—it’s like shooting arrows in the dark.
Tool I recommend: Write down your goals in a simple Google Sheet or Notion board. Revisit them every morning to remind yourself what you’re working toward.
2. Build Systems, Not Just Inspiration
Motivation fades. Systems last.
I used to wait for “motivation” to appear, but that’s a trap. If you rely on willpower alone, you will lose. The truth is: you don’t rise to your level of motivation—you fall to the level of your systems.
So, I built small, repeatable routines:
- Morning routine: journaling, exercise, reviewing my goals.
- Work routine: blocking 2-hour deep work sessions without distractions.
- Evening routine: reading for 30 minutes instead of scrolling social media.
When I followed these systems, I didn’t need to “feel motivated.” I just followed the process.
Tools I recommend: Google Calendar for blocking time, Trello or Notion for tasks, and an accountability partner to check in weekly.
3. Harness the Power of Habits
Motivation is temporary, but habits compound.
At first, running for 10 minutes felt pointless. Saving $5 a day felt like nothing. But over time, these habits stacked up. I lost 25 pounds, paid off debt, and built an emergency fund.
I followed the principle of habit stacking (from James Clear’s Atomic Habits): attaching a new habit to an existing one. For example:
- After brushing my teeth → I write down one gratitude thought.
- After morning coffee → I review my goals for the day.
Small habits, repeated daily, are more powerful than one burst of inspiration once a month.
Tool I recommend: Habitica app (turns habits into a game) or a simple notebook.
4. Surround Yourself With the Right People
I used to underestimate the influence of environment. But the truth is: we become like the people we spend time with.
When I surrounded myself with negative, unmotivated people, I mirrored their energy. When I joined entrepreneur groups and mastermind communities, my mindset expanded. Suddenly, my goals didn’t feel “crazy”—they felt normal.
One of my biggest turning points was finding a mentor who had already achieved what I wanted. His advice saved me years of mistakes.
Action step: Audit your environment. Who lifts you up? Who drains you? Start building your tribe intentionally.
5. Track Progress Ruthlessly
Motivation thrives on feedback.
When I started tracking my finances, workouts, and work hours, I realized how motivating it was to see numbers improve. Progress became addictive.
For example, when I saved my first $1,000, I printed a chart and stuck it on the wall. Every new milestone felt like a victory.
Tool I recommend: Excel, Notion, or apps like Strides.
6. Protect Your Energy: Health First
Here’s something I learned the hard way: motivation is not just mental—it’s physical.
When I slept poorly, ate junk food, and skipped workouts, I felt unmotivated. When I treated my body right, my mind followed.
Now I follow three non-negotiables:
- Sleep: minimum 7 hours.
- Exercise: at least 4 times per week.
- Nutrition: whole foods, less sugar.
Your body is the fuel for your goals. Without energy, no strategy works.
7. Break Goals Into Small Wins
One reason people quit is that big goals feel overwhelming.
When I wanted to pay off $20,000 debt, the number felt impossible. But when I broke it down into $1,000 chunks, I stayed motivated. Each small win built momentum.
Mindset shift: Don’t focus on the mountain—focus on the next step.
8. Use Technology as Leverage
Technology can either distract you—or empower you.
I use tools to keep myself accountable:
- Forest app: stay focused by “growing” virtual trees.
- Focusmate: virtual coworking with strangers.
- RescueTime: track digital habits.
Instead of letting my phone control me, I turned it into my accountability coach.
9. Reframe Failures as Feedback
In the past, failure destroyed me. Now, I see it as data.
- When a business failed, I asked: What system broke?
- When I missed a habit, I asked: Why didn’t the environment support me?
This mindset turned setbacks into lessons. Motivation grows when failure is no longer an enemy.
10. Act Daily—Even If It’s Small
The single biggest lesson: action creates motivation, not the other way around.
Waiting until you “feel ready” is the fastest way to waste years. Motivation comes after action, not before.
On the days I didn’t want to write, I wrote one sentence. On the days I didn’t want to run, I ran for five minutes. Almost every time, momentum carried me further.
Conclusion: My Message to You
Looking back, I realize that I didn’t need another motivational seminar—I needed a system. Motivation is not lightning that strikes randomly. It’s a fire you build, one brick at a time.
If you’re reading this and feeling stuck, I want you to know: you don’t need to wait for the perfect moment. Start today. Start small. Build the system.
I was once overwhelmed, broke, and directionless. By applying these ten rules, I rebuilt my life piece by piece. If I could do it, you can too.
✍️ Written by Steven Clark