Starting something new requires a great deal of energy, but sustaining it demands even more.
Take, for instance, starting a gym routine at the beginning of a new year. Initial motivation is fleeting. According to a study in Japan, only 20–30% of people can stick with the gym for three months. That number drops to 10% after six months, 4–5% after one year, and a mere 1–3% after three years—the point where results truly take root.
Human willpower is far more fragile than we imagine. As long as you decide whether to go based on your mood, you are bound to quit eventually.
Humans are essentially “slaves to habit.” Most cannot escape this fact, but there is no need for pessimism. One simply needs to become a slave to good habits. As long as you remain a slave to your moods and emotions, you will neither be able to maintain consistency nor achieve mental stability.
When the scheduled time arrives, “skipping it is not an option.” Do not waste time or energy on indecision. Even if you lack motivation, just push through the first ten minutes. You will find that you can go all the way to the end. Motivation doesn’t last, you have to boost it yourself.