Is motivation overrated?

Motivation is garbage - Mel Robbins 

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily - Zig Zigler 

Idea is persistent, but inspiration to pursue it is temporary - Rework book

If you need inspiring words, don't do it - Elon Musk 

Twitterati is going crazy these days with Gen Z giving a lot of philosophical insights. Some of them are hell bent on questioning everything which seemingly has prevented the structure from collapsing so far. (By the way...there is a difference between asking questions and questioning things, isn't it?)

"Overrated" is the word people are after these days and prefixing it with every known "good" thing. Is networking overrated? Are books overrated? Is motivation overrated? and so on

So coming back to the question of this blog, is motivation overrated? Here’s my take 

I don't think that if one needs motivation for doing something, he isn't aligned with it. Nor do I feel motivation is garbage. In essence I agree with what Zig Ziglar and book Rework mentions. As authors in the book Rework say that idea is permanent but inspiration may not last forever, my simple take is that motivation could be anything that keeps that inspiration alive. That's it. Zig Zigler’s words add a perfect touch to it…….that it shouldn’t be expected to stay forever. Motivation too might need occasional motivation! 

Motivation isn't a speed booster like the one shown in car racing games which in a single moment can make one take big leaps. It shouldn't be expected to take one to the finish line and must not get over before that. After all, Motivation != Adrenaline Rush 

Motivation could be family, society, work environment, mental strength or anything under the sun which adds fuel to one’s “fire in the belly” to keep that fire alive. It's absolutely fine if one’s will and desire occasionally needs a push of motivation which often could be nothing more than circumstantial.

The story of Michael Phelps, the great swimmer from the USA having a phenomenal tally of 28 Olympic medals is quite interesting in this aspect. A classic testimony of "V" shaped journey ; reaching "high", hitting "rock bottom" and then rising back to "high". Quite likely, his self realization became the “motivation” for him in winning him his second stint of medals at the Olympics. 

To conclude, I must say motivation is not overrated at all……but it's certainly over relied upon!