The Psychology of Motivation: Why Resolutions Start with Fireworks and End with “Maybe Tomorrow”

Every New Year, people around the world sit with shiny planners, colourful pens, and an energy level that could power an entire city. Resolutions are declared with dramatic flair—“This year, I will be calmer, sleep better, and finally master work–life balance!”

But by mid-January, motivation slowly turns into negotiation. Suddenly, we’re saying things like, “Let me just finish this one email… at 11:47 p.m.” or “I’ll sleep early tomorrow… probably.”

This is where the psychology of motivation quietly enters the room, knocks on the table, and says, “Let’s talk.”

Motivation is powered by two gears:

Intrinsic motivation—when you genuinely want stress-free days and peaceful nights.

Extrinsic motivation—when your body whispers, “If you don’t sleep now, tomorrow’s meeting will feel like an exam you didn’t study for.”

Daniel H. Pink in Drive says,

“Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another.”

We feel motivated when we feel in control. That’s why the new year feels so special—it’s like getting a psychological reset button with a bow on top.

But motivation behaves like a Wi-Fi signal—full strength in the morning, mysteriously weak by evening.

Many resolutions fail because they rely on pure motivation instead of systems. James Clear’s Atomic Habits reminds us:

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

Saying “I will sleep peacefully” is a goal.

Creating a calming night routine, shutting down work at a fixed hour, and refusing to become the CEO of Overthinking Pvt. Ltd. is the system.

In Why We Sleep, Matthew Walker beautifully states:

“The shorter your sleep, the shorter your life.”

A line that could scare anyone into instantly closing all those unnecessary tabs—both in the browser and in the brain.

Work–life balance works the same way. It isn’t about perfect schedules; it’s about emotional boundaries. As one character in The Alchemist says,

“When you can’t go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving forward.”

And moving forward sometimes simply means shutting the laptop and not checking “just one more message.”

Motivation grows when life feels meaningful. Peaceful sleep, reduced stress, and balanced work days aren’t luxuries—they are motivation boosters. When your mind is calm, your motivation naturally feels like a full battery instead of a dying phone at 2%.

So instead of chasing motivation, create tiny habits that support it—like ending your day with gratitude, blocking a “no work hour,” or treating sleep like a VIP guest. Over time, these small behaviours become identity: “I am someone who values my peace.”

Thought to Ponder

If motivation is the flame, could your daily habits be the matchbox you’ve been holding all along?