The hottest Motivation Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

The two kinds of desire, and one of the most important things I know

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 13443 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
📖 Philosophy Motivation
  1. There are two kinds of desire: tanha is grasping, scarcity-based, and draining, while chanda is a whole-body, pull-like desire that refreshes you when you follow it.
  2. Your real delights show up as repeating patterns when you’re truly happy, so look for those general shapes and arrange your work and relationships to give you those chanda experiences.
  3. Use tanha strategically when it sets you up for more chanda or helps others, but avoid filling your life with grasping wants; a life built mainly around chanda leads to more happiness, creativity, and ease.

Education, Technology, and Controversy

In My Tribe • 227 implied HN points • 28 Feb 26
🚌 Education Motivation
  1. The Alpha School reports unusually high student growth that suggests its practices might actually accelerate learning, but a randomized lottery study would be needed to be sure.
  2. Many miracle-school results can come from selection, unique funding, or unsustainable practices, so impressive outcomes aren’t automatically easy to replicate.
  3. Ed tech can harm motivation when it feels like wasted or punitive effort, but better tools or reward structures might help—and the overall causal link between digital adoption and falling scores is still uncertain.

Sticking with it

Austin Kleon • 2617 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
📚 Literature Motivation
  1. You need to really love your idea when creating something. It has to come from a personal place and excite you deeply, because it will take a lot of time and effort to bring it to life.
  2. While you can brush off mean critics, sometimes it's the well-meaning people that can hurt your project the most. Their opinions matter to you, so be careful how much you let them influence your passion.
  3. If your project becomes successful, you'll be talking about it for many years. So, it's important to choose something you truly enjoy and can stay excited about for a long time.

What’s Missing?

Remarkable People • 759 implied HN points • 27 Jun 24
🚌 Education Motivation
  1. Asking 'What's missing?' helps you see where improvements can be made. It's a great question to avoid mistakes and think critically about any situation.
  2. Learning from experienced and remarkable people can inspire new ideas. Their stories can guide you in your own journey and help you grow.
  3. Commencement speeches often get forgotten, but focusing on one key message can make it memorable. Simplifying your takeaways can create a lasting impact.

Motivation 101 by Guy Kawasaki

Remarkable People • 519 implied HN points • 17 Jul 24
🚌 Education Motivation
  1. What really matters is that you find something that motivates you, no matter what it is. It doesn't have to be a big or noble goal; any drive can lead to success.
  2. Your personal experiences can shape what inspires you. For example, wanting a better car can be just as motivating as wanting to change the world.
  3. Don't stress too much about the nature of your motivations. What's important is that you are motivated to work hard and strive for your goals.
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The 13 New Books to Expand Your Mind in 2023

Granted • 7906 implied HN points • 28 Jan 23
📚 Literature Motivation
  1. Tim Urban's book 'What's Our Problem?' offers insightful analysis on societal issues and how to combat polarization and tribalism.
  2. Nedra Glover Tawwab's 'Drama Free' provides valuable advice on handling family relationships, emphasizing the importance of mental health in families.
  3. Bill Hammack's 'The Things We Make' unravels the engineering behind human masterpieces, making engineering concepts accessible even for those who don't love math.

The 11 New Idea Books to Spring into Summer

Granted • 5690 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
📚 Literature Motivation
  1. Motivation is key: Explore books on perfectionism, finding motivation, and unleashing creativity to overcome obstacles and move forward.
  2. Work-life balance matters: Discover titles advocating for good quality jobs, designing work around life, and finding significance in work for a fulfilling career.
  3. Social change and innovation are crucial: Learn from books on sparking revolutions, promoting inclusivity, and reimagining government for a more inclusive and digital future.

On Alpha School

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2912 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🚌 Education Motivation
  1. Alpha School uses a unique teaching method that combines effective techniques like spaced repetition and immediate feedback. This helps students learn better and faster compared to traditional education.
  2. The school has a rewards system called AlphaBucks that incentivizes students to complete their lessons. This gamification makes learning feel more fun and engaging for kids.
  3. While Alpha School's methods focus on individualized learning, they may not suit every student. It's important to consider each child's needs and how they learn best.

What You See Depends on What You Want

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1420 implied HN points • 10 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Motivation
  1. Personality helps us navigate the complex world around us. Different personalities can change how we see and experience life.
  2. Understanding your personality can improve your relationships with others. It also helps you know yourself better.
  3. If you don't grasp your motivations and personality, others might exploit them. It's important to be aware of your own traits.

You don't need a vision

Austin Kleon • 3457 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Motivation
  1. You don't always need a clear vision for your future; sometimes it's okay to go with the flow. Life can be unpredictable, and paths can change in unexpected ways.
  2. Focusing too much on a specific vision can limit your perspective and keep you stuck in the past. It's important to stay open to new possibilities and experiences.
  3. While having a vision can be motivating for some, others may find inspiration in exploring their interests and passions without a set end goal. Enjoy the journey and see where it leads.

Looking at our why(s) 🤔

#The100DayProject Newsletter • 1159 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Motivation
  1. Consider different motivations for starting a project such as having fun, practicing a skill, or producing a specific outcome.
  2. Choose a project that aligns with your current goals and interests, whether it be for enjoyment, skill improvement, or goal achievement.
  3. Reflect on your 'why' by visually representing your motivations through charting, doodling, or other creative exercises.

30-day challenge

Austin Kleon • 5875 implied HN points • 01 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Motivation
  1. Doing something small every day can lead to big changes over time. Just like writing a page a day can add up to a whole chapter or even a novel.
  2. Focusing on daily progress is easier than thinking about long-term goals. Trying to do a little each day keeps you grounded and motivated.
  3. Don't be afraid to start small and accept that being bad at something is part of getting better. The key is to practice regularly and enjoy the process.

First do it, then do it right, then do it better.

Elevate • 1153 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Motivation
  1. Just start somewhere - Begin with a simple step to kick off the journey towards success
  2. The Power of Starting - Taking the first step energizes and motivates us, leading to progress and eventual success
  3. First, Do It, Do It Right, Do It Better - Embrace the MVP mindset, refine and correct, and strive for continuous improvement on your journey

Bone Shard Collection #1

Living Fossils • 12 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Motivation
  1. Satiation explains why people stop in the moment, but long-term motivation is shaped by expectations, positive feedback, and getting used to outcomes, so success often raises the bar instead of ending desire.
  2. Price not only buys measurable quality but also sets social expectations and norms, so paying more gives you both better service and greater standing to demand higher standards.
  3. Wisdom usually comes late because what is "wise" depends on context and changing tradeoffs, so evolution didn’t hardwire one perfect rule and people learn over time which rules fit different situations.

Self-Help Tactics That Are Working For Me

Rough Diamonds • 62 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Motivation
  1. Guilt often comes from fear of other people's disapproval, not from some innate low self-worth. Using graded exposure—imagining or facing mild disapproval and practicing tolerance for praise—helps that fear burn out.
  2. Vivid positive visualization is practical motor planning: mentally rehearse difficult or important moments going well to boost confidence and beat procrastination.
  3. Stop waiting for a mythical God’s‑eye verdict; set reasonable first‑person standards and do honest self‑evaluations so you can measure progress and legitimately feel proud.

5 Reasons To Keep Trying

Trying In Public • 399 implied HN points • 04 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Motivation
  1. Someone out there is waiting for you to show them that it's possible, be the example they need.
  2. Every time you try, you learn and gather data, even if the outcome isn't what you expected.
  3. Practice doing what you say you're going to do, start small to build self-trust and confidence.

Starting Early

Obvious Bicycle • 854 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
🚌 Education Motivation
  1. Starting early is important for mastery. Many successful people began their passion before they turned ten, showing that practice over time leads to excellence.
  2. Be prepared to struggle when learning something new. Everyone starts off as a beginner and it takes time and effort to become skilled.
  3. Time will pass regardless, so it's better to start working on your goals now. You'll grow and have something to show for it in the future.

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic

Sunday Letters • 59 implied HN points • 04 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Motivation
  1. Good code comes from genuine passion, not just external rewards. When programmers care deeply, they are more likely to improve their skills and produce better work.
  2. Extrinsic motivations like promotions can lead to just getting by rather than striving for excellence. These motivations don’t usually inspire creativity or deep understanding.
  3. Finding a balance between intrinsic motivation and practical limitations is important. Recognizing your reasons for coding can help you become the person you want to be.

On Self-Improvement

The Commonplace • 1245 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Motivation
  1. The self-improvement industry often takes advantage of people's desires, making them feel like they need to buy tips or products to be better. It's important to recognize that wanting to improve ourselves is normal, but the way these products sell improvement can be misleading.
  2. Many people know what they need to do to improve their lives but don't actually take action. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment or the right advice, it's better to focus on accepting yourself and taking small steps towards what you want.
  3. The self-improvement culture can become a trap, making people feel guilty for not achieving unrealistic goals. It’s okay to want to escape from pressure, and sometimes, it's smarter to step back from all the noise and figure out what truly makes you happy.

We Are Test Pilots

From The Future • 432 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
📚 Literature Motivation
  1. Life is filled with barriers, both ordinary and extraordinary.
  2. We are test pilots of the present, pushing the limits and exploring new potentials for the future.
  3. Maintain focus and determination to break through barriers and reach new heights in life.

Some Recent Essays on Schooling

In My Tribe • 303 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🚌 Education Motivation
  1. The Null Hypothesis suggests that many education methods don't really change student learning over time. When improvements do happen, they often fade away later.
  2. Extrinsic motivation, like rewards, can be a strong driver for student achievement. Personalized rewards for students can help them engage better in their learning.
  3. Different students have varied learning needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach might not work. Many students thrive in structured environments where they learn together, even if it feels less exciting.

Don't expect to be motivated everyday.

Elevate • 477 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Motivation
  1. Don't rely solely on motivation; count on discipline and consistency instead.
  2. Motivation is fleeting, while discipline is about long-term commitment and focus.
  3. Start small, create routines, hold yourself accountable, and embrace challenges on the road to discipline.

2024 NBA Finals Leadership Lessons

DruGroup • 79 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🎾 Sports Motivation
  1. Success can lead to complacency. When teams or leaders get too comfortable after success, they often fail later on. It’s important to stay humble and keep pushing forward.
  2. Failure can be a stepping stone to success. Just because something didn't work out before doesn't mean it can't succeed later. Learning and adapting can turn past failures into future wins.
  3. Having great team players is key to winning. In basketball, no one can do it alone. It's important to recognize and appreciate the role of all team members in achieving success.

Why we like coffee more than Duolingo - P.1

Gentle Nudge • 99 implied HN points • 17 May 24
🕹 Technology Motivation
  1. Behavior depends on three factors: motivation, ability, and prompts.
  2. Product loops play a crucial role in user engagement and retention, involving triggers, actions, variable rewards, and investments.
  3. Consider additional variables like schedule, existing routines, sequences, and organic frequency when designing product loops for sustainable user engagement.

Hyper Complacent

Venture Prose • 359 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
💼 Business Motivation
  1. Being hyper-complacent can harm relationships and erode trust, despite initial short-term benefits of being pleasing.
  2. Seek tough love and honest feedback rather than blind support, especially in entrepreneurial ventures.
  3. To succeed, surround yourself with believers, cultivate a driving force, and courageously face challenges and risks.

Spreading Light in the World

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 7 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Motivation
  1. Stopping constant sarcasm and complaining and choosing a positive, uplifting attitude can genuinely improve your life, and you can be smart and funny without being mean.
  2. Make it a goal to lift other people up and help them be healthier, wealthier, wiser, and more joyful, but pair that attitude with real work and smart, sometimes ruthless actions.
  3. Facing fear and changing your mindset lets you grow — a big successful performance can banish nerves, and you can always choose how you respond to life and notice its small miracles.

The Magic You're Looking For Is in the Work You're Avoiding

The Caring Techie Newsletter • 10 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Motivation
  1. The transformation you want—confidence, progress, and fulfillment—usually lives in the specific work you keep avoiding.
  2. We avoid that work because avoidance protects us from vulnerability: fear of success, fear of happiness, and fear of wanting what we might lose or fail at.
  3. To close the gap between potential and results you must do the uncomfortable practice, failed attempts, and repetition you’re skipping; real progress comes from showing up and doing the work.