Let’s be honest—how often do you sit there waiting for that spark of motivation to finally kick in? Maybe it’s a pile of client work staring at you, or a lingering task that’s been on your to-do list for way too long. 

You think, “I’ll get to it when I feel more motivated,” and then… nothing. The spark never comes, and suddenly you’re scrambling to get things done at the last minute.

It’s frustrating, isn’t it? This idea that motivation should somehow show up when we need it most, like a magic wand to make everything easier. 

So if motivation isn’t the key to getting things done… what is? And how do the most productive accountants make progress even when they don’t feel like it? Stick with me, because what I’m about to share might just change the way you approach your work forever.

Think about it. Motivation feels so good when it’s there, right? Like you’re unstoppable and ready to tackle anything. But what happens when it disappears? 

It’s kind of like a fair-weather friend—great company when things are easy but nowhere to be found when life gets tough. You can’t rely on it, and yet so many of us keep waiting for it to show up before we take action.

Here’s the thing: we’ve all been conditioned to believe that motivation is the key to success. You hear it everywhere—find your motivation, stay motivated, motivate your team. 

But no one really talks about how unreliable it is. No one tells you what to do when you wake up on Monday morning feeling completely unmotivated and staring down another busy week.

The truth is, motivation isn’t even the thing that gets the most successful people through their days. So, what is? That’s the question that changes everything.

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to push through no matter how they feel, while others can’t seem to get started unless they “feel like it”? What’s the secret to getting things done on the days when your motivation tank is running on empty?

I’ll give you a hint: it’s not about finding motivation. It’s about building something far more reliable.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck in a cycle of waiting for motivation to strike, only to end up overwhelmed and behind, keep listening. The truth about motivation—and why it isn’t what you think—might just change the way you approach your work and your life.

Ready to learn what no one ever told you? Let’s dive in.

The Fleeting Nature of Motivation

Let’s break down what motivation actually is. At its core, it’s just a feeling—one that comes and goes, often when you least expect it. 

Sometimes it’s sparked by an exciting goal, a deadline, or even just the thought of finally crossing something off your list. Other times? It’s nowhere to be found, no matter how hard you try to summon it.

The challenge with motivation isn’t just that it’s inconsistent; it’s that we give it so much power. Think about it—how many times have you put off starting something because you weren’t “in the mood”? 

Maybe you were waiting for that magical burst of energy or inspiration to sweep you off your feet and make everything easier. But how often does that really happen?

The truth is, motivation doesn’t follow a schedule, and it doesn’t stick around just because you want it to. It can be influenced by your mood, your environment, and even things as random as the weather or how much sleep you got last night. Some days it’s there, but most days? Not so much.

And for accountants, this is where things get tricky. You can’t exactly wait around for motivation when deadlines are looming or clients are calling. If you’re relying on motivation to get you through your work, you might find yourself scrambling more often than not.

For example, let’s say you’ve got a client project sitting in front of you, and it’s not exactly your favorite task. Instead of diving in, you tell yourself, “I’ll tackle it later when I feel more motivated.” But “later” keeps getting pushed further and further back. 

Before you know it, the deadline is right around the corner, and you’re in full-on panic mode trying to pull it all together. Sound familiar?

Here’s the thing—this isn’t about willpower or discipline (yet). It’s about understanding that motivation was never meant to be the driving force behind everything you do. 

It’s a nice bonus when it shows up, sure, but it’s not the engine. Treating it like one is what creates the frustration and stress we all know too well.

So, if motivation isn’t reliable, what is? And how can you get things done even when that spark is nowhere to be found? The answer lies in building something much stronger, and that’s what we’ll explore next.

What’s More Effective Than Motivation?

If motivation is the unreliable friend who only shows up when it’s convenient, discipline is the one who’s always there for you, no matter what. Discipline doesn’t care if you’re tired, unmotivated, or having an off day. It’s the habit of showing up and taking action, even when you don’t feel like it.

The great thing about discipline is that it’s dependable. Unlike motivation, which comes and goes based on how you’re feeling, discipline is something you can count on. 

It’s not flashy or exciting, but it works. It’s the quiet, steady force that helps you keep moving forward, one step at a time, no matter how your day is going.

So, what exactly is discipline? It’s the choice to act, even when every part of you would rather procrastinate. 

It’s deciding in advance what needs to get done and then following through, whether you’re in the mood for it or not. Discipline doesn’t ask, “Do I feel like it?” It just does what needs to be done.

This is why discipline is so reliable—it builds momentum. Each time you act, you’re making progress, even if it’s small. And that progress adds up. You start to realize that even on days when you’re not at your best, you can still get things done.

Let’s look at how this plays out in real life. Imagine it’s Monday morning, and you’re already feeling overwhelmed. Maybe you’re not in the mood to tackle that client project that’s been sitting on your desk. 

If you’re waiting for motivation, that project might sit there all day—or worse, all week. But if you’ve developed discipline, you’ll start anyway. You’ll chip away at it, one piece at a time, until it’s done.

Here’s the truth: the accountants who consistently meet deadlines, even under pressure, aren’t relying on motivation to get them through. They’ve built the habit of discipline. They know that some days they won’t feel like it, and that’s okay. What matters is that they take action anyway.

Discipline isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. The more you practice it, the more it becomes second nature. And when it does, you’ll find that you don’t have to rely on fleeting feelings to get things done—you can trust yourself to show up and do the work, no matter what.

If motivation is the spark, discipline is the steady flame that keeps the fire going. It might not always feel exciting, but it’s exactly what you need to stay consistent and get things done.

The Brain Science Behind Why Motivation is Overrated

Let’s get into the “why” behind all of this. Motivation might feel great when it shows up, but it’s not designed to stick around—and there’s a good reason for that. Motivation comes from your brain’s reward system, specifically a chemical called dopamine. 

Every time you feel motivated, your brain is giving you a little hit of dopamine to encourage you to take action. It’s like your brain saying, “Hey, this feels good—let’s do more of this!”

But here’s the catch: dopamine isn’t meant to keep flowing indefinitely. It spikes quickly and then drops off just as fast. This is why you can start a task feeling fired up, only to lose steam halfway through. 

Your brain isn’t wired to keep you motivated—it’s wired to conserve energy. Once the initial excitement fades, your brain shifts into “saving mode,” and suddenly, the task you were so excited to start feels like a slog.

This is where discipline comes in. Unlike motivation, which is fueled by a quick burst of dopamine, discipline is about building habits that stick. 

Every time you follow through on something—whether it’s getting started on a project, sticking to a schedule, or knocking out that one task you’ve been avoiding—you’re strengthening the neural pathways in your brain that make it easier to act next time. It’s like carving a trail through the woods: the more you walk it, the clearer and easier the path becomes.

For accountants, this is a game-changer. Our work is full of recurring tasks—deadlines, client deliverables, monthly reconciliations. Waiting for motivation to get you through those tasks is like rolling the dice and hoping for the best. 

But discipline? Discipline rewires your brain to make action your default setting, even when you’re not “feeling it.”

Here’s an example. Let’s say you’re staring down a big project. It’s not urgent yet, so your brain isn’t giving you that dopamine hit to get started. If you’re relying on motivation, you might find yourself procrastinating, hoping that spark of energy will show up later. 

But if you’ve trained yourself to act out of discipline, you’ll get started anyway. Even if it’s just a small step, you’re teaching your brain, “This is what we do—we take action.” Over time, that habit becomes second nature, and starting gets easier and easier.

The best part? Your brain rewards discipline in its own way. Each time you take action, you build momentum, and with it, a quiet sense of confidence that you can handle whatever’s next. 

You stop waiting for motivation to show up, because you don’t need it anymore. You’ve built something much stronger—a system that works no matter what kind of day you’re having.

So, while motivation might give you a quick boost, discipline is the real secret to getting things done. And the more you understand how your brain works, the easier it becomes to use it to your advantage.

How To Build What Actually Works

Now that we’ve talked about why discipline is more reliable than motivation, let’s look at how you can actually build it. Here’s the good news: you don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight to become disciplined. 

In fact, the best way to start is by thinking small—really small.  The truth is that discipline isn’t about making massive changes all at once; it’s about creating tiny habits that you can stick to consistently. 

For example, instead of saying, “I’m going to overhaul my whole workflow this week,” start with something as simple as committing to spend the first 10 minutes of your day tackling your highest-priority task. That’s it. Just 10 minutes. 

When you start small, it’s easier to keep your word to yourself, and every time you follow through, you’re building trust in your ability to act, no matter what.

One of the most powerful tools for building discipline is making decisions ahead of time. When you plan your day—or even your week—you’re essentially removing the mental debate about what to do in the moment. Time-blocking is perfect for this. 

By deciding ahead of time what you’ll do and when, you take the guesswork out of your day. You don’t have to sit there wondering, “What should I work on next?” You’ve already made the decision, and now all you have to do is follow through.

Think of it like making a reservation for your time. When you make a reservation at a restaurant, you don’t second-guess it when the time comes—you show up. It’s the same with time-blocking. You’re treating your time with the same level of respect and intention.

Here’s where it gets really powerful: discipline isn’t just about actions; it’s also about managing your thoughts. The way you talk to yourself matters more than you might realize. 

If your inner dialogue is full of thoughts like, “I don’t feel like doing this,” or “I’ll never get it all done,” guess what? Your brain is going to look for ways to confirm that.

But if you intentionally shift your thoughts to something like, “I can do hard things,” or “I’m just going to take the next step,” you’re creating a mental environment that makes action easier. It’s not about forcing positivity—it’s about giving yourself the kind of mindset that supports discipline, not fights against it.

Let me give you an example.  Imagine it’s a typical Monday morning, and your to-do list is already overwhelming. If you’re relying on motivation, you might spend half the day avoiding the toughest tasks, waiting to “feel ready.” 

But if you’ve built the habit of discipline, you’ll start small—maybe with a single email or a simple prep task for a client project. You’ll follow your time blocks, not because you feel like it, but because you’ve already decided they matter.

By the end of the day, you’re not just crossing things off your list—you’re reducing stress, gaining momentum, and proving to yourself that you can trust your own decisions. And that confidence? It’s priceless.

Building discipline doesn’t mean being perfect. It’s about showing up consistently, even when things aren’t ideal. Every small habit, every intentional choice, and every managed thought adds up, creating a system that works for you. 

And once you’ve built that system, you’ll never need to wait for motivation again. You’ll already have everything you need.

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Successfully Managing His Workload Despite a Lack of Motivation

When he first came to me, one of my clients was drowning in a sea of deadlines and pressure. He was a highly skilled accountant, but he constantly felt like he was falling behind, stuck in a cycle of procrastination and last-minute scrambles. 

He’d tell me, “I know what I need to do, but I just can’t seem to get started. I keep waiting for the right moment, and it never comes.”

Every Sunday night, the weight of the week ahead would hit him like a ton of bricks. He’d plan to tackle his workload with the best intentions, only to get stuck in a spiral of avoidance by Monday morning. 

A single email could derail his entire day, and the projects he put off would haunt him until the deadlines loomed too close to ignore. By then, the stress was unbearable, and he’d end up working late into the night just to catch up.

He told me he felt ashamed. How could someone so smart and experienced fall into this pattern over and over again? I could totally feel his frustration. He wanted to do better—for his clients, for his career, and for himself—but he didn’t know where to start.

When we started working together we began by unraveling his dependence on motivation. He’d always believed he needed to “feel ready” to get started, and that belief was holding him hostage. I explained that motivation is fleeting, but discipline is something he could build step by step.

At first, it felt awkward for him. I encouraged him to start small, with micro-habits like setting aside 10 minutes each morning to dive into his most important task—whether he felt like it or not. 

He also began time-blocking his day, reserving time for tasks like he’d reserve a table at a restaurant. The shift wasn’t dramatic at first, but he stuck with it, and over time, those small steps started to build momentum.

The real breakthrough came when he started managing his thoughts. We worked on the internal dialogue that had been sabotaging him—thoughts like, “I’ll never get this done in time,” or “This is too much to handle.” 

Instead, he practiced replacing them with thoughts like, “I can handle this one step at a time,” and “Getting started is the hardest part, and I’m already doing it.”

Fast forward a few months, and he’s a completely different person. He still has deadlines and busy days, but now he faces them with confidence instead of dread. 

He doesn’t wait for motivation anymore; he trusts the systems we’ve built together and knows how to follow through, no matter how he’s feeling.

The most emotional moment for me came when he said, “For the first time in years, I feel like I’m in control of my work instead of my work controlling me.” That’s the power of discipline—it doesn’t just change the way you work; it changes the way you see yourself. And for him, that was everything.

The bottom line is, when you stop waiting for motivation and start building discipline, you take back your power—and that changes everything.

Now I’m going to share the key takeaway from today and an action item for the upcoming week.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

The key takeaway is this: Motivation is fleeting, but discipline is dependable. When you stop waiting for the perfect moment to feel ready and instead build small, consistent habits, you take control of your actions—and ultimately, your results. Discipline isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up for yourself, even when it’s hard.

For this week, ask yourself, “What’s one small action I can commit to today, even if I don’t feel like it?”

This question shifts your focus from how you feel to what you can do. It reminds you that progress doesn’t require big, dramatic steps—it starts with something as simple as taking the next action. 

Asking yourself this question puts you in the driver’s seat. Instead of waiting for the right circumstances, you’re making the decision to act, no matter what’s going on around you.

It’s important because discipline grows through practice. The more you choose to take small actions—even when motivation isn’t there—the easier it becomes to trust yourself to follow through. Over time, those small steps build momentum, confidence, and a sense of control over your work and life.

When you ask this question regularly, it helps you focus on what’s possible right now. And that’s where true change begins.

Well, that’s what I have for you today. Thank you for joining me as I shared the truth about motivation that no one ever told you. I hope you’re walking away with a better understanding of what’s been getting in your way of getting things done.

As I always say, you’ve worked hard to become an accountant; it’s time to make it easier to be one.

If you’d like to discuss how to better manage your time or anything you’re currently struggling with, you can schedule a free 30-minute call with me at  https://thesmarteraccountant.com/calendar/. 

And don’t forget to check back each week for more tips and strategies to help you go from being a stressed accountant to a Smarter Accountant.

Also, if you haven’t already, make sure to take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com to see if you’ve been underutilizing your accountant brain. It’s a great starting point to see where you are and how you can improve.

Lastly, if you’ve found today’s episode helpful, I’d really appreciate it if you could spread the word to other accountants. The more we get this message out, the more we can change the narrative in the accounting profession and help accountants everywhere.

The truth is that you’re already smart, but this podcast will show you how to be smarter.