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13: Motivation is a Myth - Build Systems Instead
If motivation were enough, you'd already be doing it.
Episode Number: 13
Host: Erin Merideth
Website: unlearningwork.com
🔍 What this episode is about:
In this episode of Unlearning Work, Erin exposes the myth of motivation and unpacks what actually drives behavior change—simple, repeatable systems.
Backed by insights from BJ Fogg (Tiny Habits) and James Clear (Atomic Habits), this episode reveals how to stop waiting for motivation to strike and instead design systems that support consistency, clarity, and progress—especially on the days when you’re tired, busy, or overwhelmed.
💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why motivation is a mood—not a method
✅ The behavior formula from BJ Fogg (B = MAP) and how to apply it
✅ How your environment and system design beat willpower every time
✅ 3 science-backed ways to build systems that stick
✅ How a site leader redesigned his overwhelmed Mondays into a repeatable routine
🧠 Key Insights:
You don’t have to feel motivated—you need a system
Small wins build momentum more than big goals
Shrinking the task and tying it to a trigger boosts follow-through
Systems protect your progress when energy runs low
🛠️ Featured Tools + Tactics:
Shrink the behavior to reduce friction
Attach it to a trigger (habit stacking)
Design for your environment—not your ideal self
Use “If-Then Planning” to prevent failure spirals
Real-life system design examples (calendar blocking, Slack habits, dashboards)
🧰 Real-life examples covered:
How “Alex,” a site leader, shifted from overwhelmed Mondays to proactive leadership using a 15-minute checklist, pre-set dashboards, and a Friday prep ritual.
🔄 Take Action:
📥 Download the fillable worksheet that pairs with this episode
🧩 Walks you through shrinking the task, building a habit trigger, and designing for success
📲 Available now in the Unlearning Work App
✨ Final Thought:
“You don’t need more motivation. You need a system that still works when you don’t feel like it.”
💬 Join the Conversation:
🎯 This month inside the Unlearning Work Community: Design Smarter, Not Harder
📸 Show us your system in action—whether it’s a post-it, dashboard, or habit tracker
🪪 Tag @erinmeridethcoaching and use #UnlearningWork
📲 Subscribe + Stay Connected:
✅ Download the Unlearning Work App for worksheets, habit tools & coaching prompts
🎧 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app
⭐ Leave a review if this episode helped you shift your mindset
📬 Sign up for the Work Reimagined newsletter for tools you can use immediately
📱 Follow Erin on Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and Facebook
View all episodes
By Erin Merideth
If motivation were enough, you'd already be doing it.
Episode Number: 13
Host: Erin Merideth
Website: unlearningwork.com
🔍 What this episode is about:
In this episode of Unlearning Work, Erin exposes the myth of motivation and unpacks what actually drives behavior change—simple, repeatable systems.
Backed by insights from BJ Fogg (Tiny Habits) and James Clear (Atomic Habits), this episode reveals how to stop waiting for motivation to strike and instead design systems that support consistency, clarity, and progress—especially on the days when you’re tired, busy, or overwhelmed.
💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why motivation is a mood—not a method
✅ The behavior formula from BJ Fogg (B = MAP) and how to apply it
✅ How your environment and system design beat willpower every time
✅ 3 science-backed ways to build systems that stick
✅ How a site leader redesigned his overwhelmed Mondays into a repeatable routine
🧠 Key Insights:
You don’t have to feel motivated—you need a system
Small wins build momentum more than big goals
Shrinking the task and tying it to a trigger boosts follow-through
Systems protect your progress when energy runs low
🛠️ Featured Tools + Tactics:
Shrink the behavior to reduce friction
Attach it to a trigger (habit stacking)
Design for your environment—not your ideal self
Use “If-Then Planning” to prevent failure spirals
Real-life system design examples (calendar blocking, Slack habits, dashboards)
🧰 Real-life examples covered:
How “Alex,” a site leader, shifted from overwhelmed Mondays to proactive leadership using a 15-minute checklist, pre-set dashboards, and a Friday prep ritual.
🔄 Take Action:
📥 Download the fillable worksheet that pairs with this episode
🧩 Walks you through shrinking the task, building a habit trigger, and designing for success
📲 Available now in the Unlearning Work App
✨ Final Thought:
“You don’t need more motivation. You need a system that still works when you don’t feel like it.”
💬 Join the Conversation:
🎯 This month inside the Unlearning Work Community: Design Smarter, Not Harder
📸 Show us your system in action—whether it’s a post-it, dashboard, or habit tracker
🪪 Tag @erinmeridethcoaching and use #UnlearningWork
📲 Subscribe + Stay Connected:
✅ Download the Unlearning Work App for worksheets, habit tools & coaching prompts
🎧 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app
⭐ Leave a review if this episode helped you shift your mindset
📬 Sign up for the Work Reimagined newsletter for tools you can use immediately
📱 Follow Erin on Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and Facebook