Set simple routines to help you get started without much effort. For example, for a writing goal, set up your table with a bottle of water and read what you wrote the previous day.
The cue will set you in motion and help build the momentum to continue.

Turning motivation into a routine

Input without output can demotivate us, making us question our choices and re-evaluate our strategies. 
Reach out to friends, family, colleagues and share where you are, what you desire, and seek advice on how to move forward. Join groups and networks with similar interests and learn from people who have done this before.

Seek help to make progress on your goals

<ul>
<li>Even if you don't feel like it, take control by starting today.</li>
<li>Shift your mental energy from thinking to doing.</li>
<li>Believe there's no better day to start than today.</li>
<li>Set a micro goal for today without worrying about tomorrow.</li>
<li>Commit to taking one small step.</li>
<li>Tell yourself that when you gain momentum, the task will become easier.</li>
</ul>

Don’t wait until you're ready, start today

Whether you desire to invest in daily reading, work out in the gym, eat healthily or anything else, the second step is to give momentum to the motivation flywheel by scheduling it.
Do not prioritize what is on your schedule. Instead, ensure that you schedule your priorities.

Set a schedule around your motivation

Knowing what keeps you back is as valuable as determining how to get started.
<ul>
<li>What are the bottlenecks to get you started?</li>
<li>What can cause you to stop once you start?</li>
<li>How do you know what to do once you get started?</li>
<li>What if you're not capable of achieving your goals?</li>
<li>How would you know if you're making progress?</li>
</ul>

How to set the motivation flywheel in action

Motivation does not happen to us. It is a muscle that we need to build. After an inspirational talk, we might feel motivated for a while but will fall back to our old routines. 
What is lacking is a behaviour to put our knowledge in motion. In the beginning, we will hardly notice any progress. With practice and repetition, our brains will create patterns of learning. Eventually, the tasks that required a lot of effort will become effortless.

Motivation is a muscle that we need to build

We can learn from our own experience and find ways to improve. Repeat the following questions to yourself over time.
<ul>
<li>What did I achieve today, and how can I better it?</li>
<li>What should I continue doing, what should I stop, and what new activities should I add?</li>
<li>What are my fears?</li>
<li>What are my strengths?</li>
<li>Do my strategy and tactics work or do I need to re-evaluate my choices?</li>
<li>Are my choices aligned with my principles and values?</li>
<li>What do my close friends and family feel about it?</li>
</ul>
With time, you will notice a transformation in how you approach new goals.

A feedback loop for your motivation

How can I make motivation part of my life to do things that will help me achieve my goals in the long run? For me, motivation was a state of mind. Some days I was all excited and motivated to get to my toughest goals and important tasks that I had avoided in the past. Then there were other times I felt lost, unsure of how to make even tiny progress on things I got to do.