Motivation is not a single entity but an emergent property shaped by emotions, identity, and internal conflict, and the biggest mistake is trying to increase it rather than understanding its mechanism

“this is the first thing is that motivation is not a thing it is lots of different things and I think the second thing that we the biggest mistake we make with motivation is that we try to increase it”

Focusing on the desired outcome without simultaneously planning for obstacles can reduce physiological readiness to work toward that goal.

“what happens, these colleagues, Gabriele Oettingen and her research team have found is that going through and dreaming about or, "Visualizing how great my life will be when I get X, Y and Z done," that is like a goal satisfied.”