“Motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”
— Zig Ziglar
I’ve been thinking a lot about motivation lately—specifically, whether it can actually be taught.
One of the biggest complaints I hear about Gen Z and young professionals is that they’re unmotivated or difficult to motivate.
And honestly, there’s some truth to that— but I’d argue this isn’t just a Gen Z issue. It’s a human one.
Every generation has had that moment— fresh out of college (or high school), wide-eyed and ready to change the world… until reality hits.
You realize the dream job isn’t calling just yet, and instead, you’re working at Macy’s, pulling espresso shots, or waiting tables just to keep the lights on.
At that point, everything other than the dream feels like a disappointment. And let’s be real—it’s hard to get up every morning for something that feels so far from where you thought you’d be.
How do you motivate that person to begin again?
Because that’s who we’re often trying to lead. Not lazy people. Not broken people. But disappointed people— stuck in the tension between where they are and where they hoped they’d be.
Here’s where motivation becomes more than a feeling— it becomes a practice.
Not about forcing yourself to be excited— but choosing to keep going even when you’re not.
That’s why we build systems and habits that carry us until the spark returns.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
✅ Purpose fuels you—even when it’s not the dream. I never planned on working at Bedford Fair, a women’s clothing catalog, taking calls from customers ordering items I could barely pronounce. (To this day, I still don’t know what chamois is.) But I could get behind creating great experiences for callers— because I’ve always been motivated by that.
✅ Learning helps you stay engaged. I wasn’t always highly motivated, but discovering new tools or better strategies helped me stick with a job I wasn’t necessarily passionate about.
✅ The dream evolves. Dreams take detours. Sometimes they change completely. And that’s okay.
So before we label someone as unmotivated, maybe we should ask: Have they lost sight of what they’re building toward— or do they just need help seeing that where they are now still matters?
Because the real win isn’t being excited every day. It’s becoming the kind of person who shows up— even when the excitement fades.
And that?
That can be taught.
🟦 Let’s Discuss:
Have you ever gone through a season where motivation disappeared? What helped you find it again? Drop a comment or share your experience below 👇
📌 Tags:
#Motivation #Leadership #GenZ #SoftSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment #BeyondDayOne #EmployeeEngagement #CareerGrowth #PurposeDrivenWork
