You Don’t Need Motivation - Here’s What You Actually Need

I just got back from an incredible weekend at the EWoman Conference in Tulsa, OK. “E” stands for “extraordinary,” and that’s exactly what it was! My sister, some friends, and I spent 36 hours soaking in uplifting worship, powerful teachings, and motivation that had us ready to take on the world.

But here’s the thing about motivation—it fades.

One minute, you’re fired up, ready to change your life. The next, your notes are gathering dust on a bookshelf, and the energy you felt? Gone.

So, if motivation isn’t the answer, what is?

The Truth About Motivation

I once had a client tell me she just needed more motivation to get out of bed and go to the gym. As if motivation were something she could order on Amazon Prime and have delivered overnight. But that’s not how it works.

Motivation isn’t something out there that you need to chase down. It’s something you create—and the source of that creation? You.

You don’t need another conference, another podcast, or another pep talk to spark action. What you need is already within you.

You Are Your Own Inspiration

One of my favorite speakers at the conference was Lysa TerKeurst. She’s an incredible author and leader, and I’ve read all her books. Her life—filled with struggles, victories, and deep faith—truly inspires me.

But you know what’s even more inspiring than Lysa’s story?

Your own.

Yes, yours.

The way God has been working in your life—the trials you’ve overcome, the lessons you’ve learned, the gifts you’ve been given—is more powerful than anyone else’s story. The most inspiring woman in your life? She’s staring back at you in the mirror.

I know you might be rolling your eyes right now. But pause for a second. What if it’s true? What if your life is already packed with evidence of God’s love and direction?

Let’s find out.

3 Ways to See God’s Hand in Your Life

If you’re feeling stuck, like you’re waiting for something (or someone) to inspire you, here’s how to shift your perspective. Grab a pen and paper—let’s do this together.

1. Recognize Your Spiritual Gifts

As God’s daughter, you’ve inherited His traits. These spiritual gifts are uniquely yours, meant to bless others and glorify Him.

Take a moment to read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7—but with a twist. Replace the word love with I:

"I am patient and kind. I am not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. I don’t demand my own way. I am not irritable, and I keep no record of being wronged. I never give up, never lose faith, am always hopeful, and endure through every circumstance."

Which of these traits resonate with you? Which do you see in yourself? Write them down.

For more, check out Romans 12:6-8, 1 Peter 4:10-11, and 1 Corinthians 12:1-6—each passage reveals more gifts God has given you.

2. Look at Your Past for Clues

Your past holds valuable insight into what makes you you. Let’s break it down into three areas:

• Skills – What are you naturally good at? What have you practiced or developed over time? What do others compliment you on?

• Battles – What struggles have you faced? How have they shaped you? What strengths were born from your hardest moments?

• Victories – What have you overcome? What moments in your life made you proud, strong, or confident?

Write it all down. Your skills, battle-born strengths, and victories are proof of what you’re capable of.

3. Envision Your Future

Look ahead. If nothing was holding you back, what would your life look like in five years?

• Who have you become?

• What are you passionate about?

• What lights you up?

• What are you already doing that you love and want more of?

God has been preparing you for something. The question is: What will you do with what He’s given you?

Your Life Is the Recipe

Remember that commercial where a dad and daughter use an app to figure out what meal they can make with the ingredients they already have? They input what’s in their fridge, and the app tells them what’s possible.

That’s what you just did.

You just listed all the “ingredients” of your life—your gifts, your experiences, your passions. Now, it’s time to ask God, What can I create with what I already have?

God isn’t waiting for you to be somewhere else, to have more motivation, or to be a different version of yourself. He’s ready to work with you—right here, right now.

You are inspiring, my friend. God has been moving in your life all along. The gifts, experiences, and strengths you’ve gathered aren’t random—they’re pieces of a bigger picture, a divine design that’s uniquely yours. Take a moment to look at your list, to see the incredible woman staring back at you in the mirror. You don’t need to wait for more motivation or some future version of yourself to start living fully. You already have everything you need to step forward in faith, trust, and purpose—right here, right now.