Why We Keep Wasting Motivation — And What To Do Instead

Aditya SharmaAditya Sharma
4 min read

Why We Keep Wasting Motivation — And What To Do Instead

“Bhai, kuch karna hai…”
We’ve all said it.
We’ve all heard it.

But what happens after saying it?

For most of us — nothing.

Two hours later, we’re back scrolling Instagram, laughing at memes, or binge-watching YouTube.
That fire we felt?
Gone.
That plan we made?
Forgotten.
That future we wanted?
Postponed.

Let me tell you a real story.


The Everyday Motivation Trap

I have a friend. Let’s call him Rahul.

Every time we meet, he’s full of passion.
He’ll say things like:

“Bhai, bas ab aur time waste nahi karna.”
“Ab seriously padhenge, kuch kar ke dikhayenge.”

But half an hour later, when I say:

“Let’s go. Let’s study.”
His reply?

“Kal se pakka. Aaj mood nahi ban raha.”

Sound familiar?

Of course it does.
Because this isn’t Rahul’s story.
It’s our generation’s story.


Short-Term Motivation ≠ Long-Term Change

We get motivated after a reel.
After a movie.
After a life talk.
After seeing someone succeed.

We get so hyped up that we immediately open our notebooks —
And start... making a timetable. 😅

Timetable ban gaya.
Color codes, markers, everything.

Then what?

Next day?
We forget the plan.
We go back to routine.
We wait for the “next” wave of motivation.

And the cycle repeats.


Why This Keeps Happening

  1. Short attention spans
    Dopamine from social media has trained us to jump from one thing to another in seconds.
    Study? Feels boring.
    Goals? Feels hard.
    Result? Instant distraction.

  2. No real goals
    Many people don’t even know what they want.
    Or worse — they copy someone else’s dream.
    Without clarity, every plan becomes temporary.

  3. Comfort zone addiction
    It’s easier to say “Kal se” than to say “Aaj se.”
    We lie to ourselves with fake productivity and think we’ll fix everything tomorrow.


What Changed for Me

I come from a middle-class family.

My dad works day and night for me.
Never complains.
Never stops.

At one point, I asked myself:

“If he’s giving his 100% for me...
Why am I only giving 20% in return?”

That thought hit me hard.

I realized:

  • I didn’t need more motivation.

  • I needed a goal.

  • And I needed to chase that goal with consistency — even when I didn’t feel like it.


The Formula That Changed My Life

Let me give it to you straight:

Motivation << Consistency << Maturity

Motivation is easy.
It comes and goes.

Consistency is harder.
It’s boring.
It’s unsexy.
But it works.

And maturity?
That’s when you keep going —
Even on the days when you feel like quitting.

That’s when you realize:

  • Success isn’t about excitement.

  • It’s about endurance.


Dreams vs. Goals: Know the Difference

Dreams are what you see when your eyes are closed.
Goals are what you chase when your eyes are open.

Dreams feel good.
Goals feel hard.
But only one of them changes your life.

You’ll fall while chasing your goal.
You’ll fail.
People will laugh.
You’ll doubt yourself.

But every time you rise again —
You get stronger.
Smarter.
Hungrier.


Your College Life — Memories or Regrets?

You always hear this:

“College life mein yaadein nahi banayi toh kya kiya?”

But let me flip that.

“Agar success nahi mila, toh yaadein bhi regrets ban jaayengi.”

Fun is fine.
But don’t trade your future for a few likes on your latest reel.

Because your friends may party with you today...
But when it comes to your future —
Only you are responsible.


Final Thought: Look at Your Dad

Next time you say you’re not feeling motivated...
Next time you feel lazy or lost...

Don’t open Instagram.
Don’t search “how to be productive.”

Just do one thing.

Look at your father.

Look at his tired eyes.
Look at his sacrifices.
Look at his silent strength.

That is your fuel.
That is your WHY.

If that doesn’t get you serious — nothing will.


In Summary

  • Stop chasing motivation.

  • Build unshakable consistency.

  • Choose goals, not dreams.

  • Let failure teach you, not break you.

  • And honor your family by becoming what they worked so hard to support.

You don’t need a perfect plan.
You just need to start.

Today.
Right now.

Not “kal se.”
Aaj se.

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Written by

Aditya Sharma
Aditya Sharma

Hi, I’m Aditya Sharma — a passionate full-stack developer, dreamer, and lifelong learner on a mission to turn ideas into impactful digital experiences.