The hottest Motivation Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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when the youtube motivational videos stop working

Both Are True • 226 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Motivation Film Personal Growth Fitness Psychology
  1. Motivational videos can inspire workouts, but they may lose their impact over time. Sometimes you need something deeper, like an emotional connection to a story.
  2. True fulfillment comes from within, not from external achievements or recognition. It's important to know that your self-worth isn't defined by likes, numbers, or others' opinions.
  3. Feeling empty or seeking validation is normal. It's helpful to find healthy ways to express emotions, like writing or working out, instead of relying on outside sources for happiness.

On Self-Improvement

The Commonplace • 1245 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-help Mental health Personal Growth Motivation Lifestyle
  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.

Sticking with it

Austin Kleon • 2617 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
📚 Literature Writing Creativity Artistry Motivation Passion
  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 Life lessons Inspiration Personal Growth
  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 Personal Growth Storytelling Life lessons Self-help
  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 Fiction Self-help Philosophy Nonfiction 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.

Career Transition Complete

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 25 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🎾 Sports Athletics Career Motivation Conversations Fitness
  1. After seven years, the career change is finally done. It feels amazing to get paid doing what I love, especially after struggling to find my path.
  2. I used to dislike running and public speaking, but now they are central to my work. This shows that interests can change, and you may find joy in unexpected places.
  3. Talking with mentors is important. Conversations can lead to new ideas and connections, helping to support and grow your passions.

The 11 New Idea Books to Spring into Summer

Granted • 5690 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
📚 Literature Motivation Work Social Change Thinking
  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.

How Much Frustration Can You Tolerate? | LSW#60

The Leading Sapiens Weekly • 90 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
💼 Business Leadership Personal Growth Goal setting Motivation
  1. Tolerating frustration is important for long-term success. It helps us stick to our goals even when things get tough.
  2. Lowering your standards can actually help. It means accepting that things won't always be easy, which allows us to push through challenges.
  3. Seeing frustration as a teacher can change our mindset. Instead of avoiding it, we should embrace it as part of the growth process.

You don't need a vision

Austin Kleon • 3457 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Art Motivation Self-Improvement Literature
  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 Creativity Community 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 Art Creativity Personal Development Writing 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 Personal Development Growth Entrepreneurship Self-Improvement
  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

Interestingness not "Passion"

A blog. • 4 implied HN points • 31 May 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Arts Education Motivation
  1. Instead of following your passion, focus on what you find interesting. Things become easier when you're engaged in something you enjoy.
  2. Being truly interesting comes from being genuinely interested in your pursuits, not trying to appear intriguing just for attention.
  3. Your interests can lead to valuable skills and knowledge, so it's important to choose and cultivate interests that are both enjoyable and enriching.

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic

Sunday Letters • 59 implied HN points • 04 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Programming Motivation Software Development Mindset
  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.

2024 NBA Finals Leadership Lessons

DruGroup • 79 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🎾 Sports Leadership Teamwork Motivation Strategy Performance
  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 Product Management User Behavior Habits Digital Products 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.

Harness the Science of the “Fresh Start Effect” to Help You Reach Your Goals

The Dose • 452 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychology Personal Development Goal setting Seasonal Motivation
  1. The beginning of spring is a great time to start fresh and work towards your goals.
  2. Transitions like the start of a new season allow for a blank slate and renewed motivation.
  3. Spring is a psychological refresh button - use it as an opportunity to reconnect with your values and goals.

Self Discipline for Screwups

A blog. • 55 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-Discipline Motivation Mindfulness Habits Mental health
  1. Self-discipline isn't about forcing yourself all the time. It's more like managing a team, where you need to work with your urges to create a balanced approach.
  2. Making tasks easier or harder to do can help you develop good habits. For example, keeping tempting distractions out of reach while making healthy choices more accessible can change your behavior.
  3. Motivation can be boosted by tracking your progress. Simple methods like using checkmarks can make you feel good about your achievements and encourage consistency.

How Your Mindset Determines Your Course

Perspectives • 10 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🚌 Education Mindset Learning Growth Parenting Motivation
  1. Your mindset can shape your experiences and outcomes. Believing that you can learn and improve helps you tackle challenges better.
  2. Praising effort, rather than innate intelligence, encourages persistence and a love for learning in kids. It's better to focus on hard work rather than just being 'smart.'
  3. Changing how you view your abilities is key. When you stop seeing things as fixed and treat them as skills to develop, you open up more opportunities to grow.

7 Reasons to Stop Being Lazy in 2024

Litverse • 139 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-help Productivity Motivation Inspiration Mindfulness
  1. Laziness is equated with greed and ugliness by the author, representing a lack of contribution to life
  2. Being idle leads to stagnation and loss of self, portraying idle people as uninteresting swamp creatures
  3. Earn your leisure by balancing work and relaxation, engaging in constructive leisure activities rather than aimless consumption