Someone asked me this question a few weeks ago: Why can’t I get motivated?  She’s not the first person who’s asked this, and I’ve asked it a few times myself. Sometimes we’re going along, following our passion and feeling excited about the future. Then little by little we lose steam and wake up one day and realize we’re stuck. What’s up with that?

Here’s the answer I gave my friend. I share it with you now in case you find yourself in a similar situation. I see two options. (There may be more, but I see two.)

1. Maybe you’re pushing too hard, but it’s not the right time. Perhaps something else needs to happen first. Maybe this lack of motivation is your intuition’s way of saying, “Wait, wait. Not yet.” Then when everything is in place, you’ll be propelled forward with enthusiasm and success.  Maybe.

2. Or maybe it’s a subconscious fear fighting to keep you in the comfort zone, keeping you from stretching into a new arena or into a higher level. Fears like that don’t always manifest as feeling afraid; sometimes, they show up as a lack of motivation. They lie to you and tell you it’s not important; don’t worry about it.

Only you can sort out which it is and what to do. The most important thing is to not just ignore it. Take a quiet moment and ask your inner voice—your inner guidance—if you’re being stalked by fear and need to just keep moving forward, or if there is reason to pause and take a break. 

Listen, and then act. Don’t let your motivation just fade away. Live fully, actively; don’t live a life by default. You’ve got this.