Next month marks one year of me hitting the gym (again).

I’m proud because I’ve actually stuck with it since November 2023. It’s not just about the progress I’ve made physically—it’s about the commitment I’ve shown to my health.

But here’s the thing I noticed:

Hardly anyone who started with me is still around.

I mentioned in last week’s letter that I work out with friends, but I didn’t tell you that those friends keep changing. Months 1-3? I worked out with my best friend. Months 4-6? A coworker. The next few months? Another coworker.

Every time, I’d get them pumped to join me, but soon enough, they’d lose steam.

They’d buy new gym clothes, but then stop using them after a few months.

They’d sign up for a membership, only to ghost the gym soon after.

They’d try a new routine, get bored, and quit.

Same story with the random people I see in the gym, too.

Same with the Ship30 community I joined back in August 2021.

People come and go. Why? They rely on motivation.

But here’s the kicker: motivation comes and goes.

It’s not your fault. Life gets in the way—jobs, responsibilities, tiredness. When you don’t see instant results, you drift towards instant gratification.

You choose to scroll on Twitter.

You decide to binge-watch on Netflix.

You chase easy and quick dopamine hits.

The excitement fades, and suddenly, your goals don't seem as important.

So how do you keep the fire alive when writing?

Let’s dive in:

1. Feed the Roots

Think of motivation like a tree.

The roots are where the magic happens—it’s where the tree gets its nutrients.

When you give the roots what they need, the leaves grow, and the flowers bloom.

The same goes for your brain: when you feed it with the right stuff, ideas flow. Motivation thrives.

For me, that’s reading. I always have a book (or two) in the mix. Doesn’t matter how long it takes to finish—what matters is that I’m constantly exposed to new ideas.

Reading keeps me inspired. It reminds me to write, no matter how busy my day gets. And when I’m reading something good, it makes me want to write.

Fresh ideas in, old ideas out. That’s how you make room for better thoughts.

And once you’ve got tons of ideas, you don’t want to waste them.

2. Train Your Motivation Muscle

Here’s the truth: You’ll never feel like writing. Or working out. Or doing anything hard, really.

You’ll always be too tired, too busy, or too “not in the mood.”

But waiting for the perfect moment? That’s a losing game. You have to create that moment.

Writing is a muscle, just like working out. The more you do it, the stronger it gets. At first, it’s tough—just like lifting weights. But over time, you get better. You get stronger.

The key is always consistency. You either build the habit of writing (or working out), or you build the habit of not doing it.

Either way, it compounds.

Choose wisely.

3. Write About What Excites You

At some point, you’ll question whether all this effort is worth it. Maybe you think, “I should be doing something else.”

I get it. But here’s my take: writing is for everyone, as long as you’re writing about something you care about.

Here’s where I went wrong early on: I listened to the “gurus” who said, “Write for the audience.” Sure, that’s important. But if you’re not excited about what you’re writing, it’ll show. And you won’t stick with it.

The solution is obvious but you're blinded by what the gurus online say.

Write about your interests.

And don’t worry that no one else cares about it—trust me, you’re not that special. If you’re into it, thousands of other people are, too. Your job is to find them and make your interests, interesting to them.

That means you can’t just write about yourself. You need to show how your interests can help others. Solve their problems. Share what you’ve learned.

That’s the real work of writing.

4. Make Writing Enjoyable

Writing isn’t easy—it’s hard because it makes you think.

And let’s be real: thinking is exhausting. No wonder we avoid it.

But you can make the process smoother. Instead of forcing yourself to fight through the mental exhaustion, try making it more enjoyable.

Some ideas:

• Plan your writing the night before, so you wake up ready to roll.

• Keep your desk clean—it makes starting less overwhelming.

• Sip on a good cup of coffee before you begin to set the mood.

• Throw on some Lo-Fi beats to get in the zone.

Experiment until you find what works for you. Don’t just copy what others do—what works for me might not work for you.

Test it all.

And don’t aim for perfection right off the bat. You just need to start. The routine, the article, the project—it’ll get better with time.

Start with what feels easiest. Tweets, hooks, outlines—whatever excites you.

Momentum will follow. And once you’ve got momentum, motivation sticks around.

5. Don’t Turn It Into a Chore

At the end of the day, writing should be fun—even if it’s tough.

You know that feeling when you’re in the flow, words just pouring out? That’s the joy you want. Or the rush of hitting "publish"—it’s real.

For me, writing isn’t a full-time gig—it’s my side hustle and my passion project. That means no pressure. My 9-5 covers the bills, so I can get creative without the stress of making money right away.

I’m not in a rush. I’m enjoying the ride while building something meaningful.

And that’s the secret: when you stop turning writing into a chore, you start to fall in love with the process.

It becomes a part of your life.

Happy Sunday and happy writing, my friend!

Hit reply if there’s anything I can help you with (FREE).