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In this episode, I show you how to turn motivation on—using Self-Determination Theory (SDT)—so you stop relying on “just be disciplined” and start becoming the person who actually wants to do the hard things. After 15 years coaching military operators, entrepreneurs, and everyday folks, this is the simplest path I’ve found to sustained motivation.

💡 The Core Idea (1 Question): What are you getting better at that you actually want to get better at, and who can you do it with? Answer this and you’ll naturally trigger all three drivers of intrinsic motivation.

🔬 The 3 SDT Drivers (in plain English):

• Competence: You can see yourself improving a real skill.
• Autonomy: You chose the path (not “shoulds” forced on you).
• Relatedness: You’re doing it with/around people who get it.

🏋️ Fitness Example: Goal: Better aerobic fitness. Hate running? Cool—choose kettlebells (autonomy). Train snatch/swing/TGU and track progress (competence). Join a KB group or invite friends (relatedness). Same fitness outcome, but now you want to do the work.

💼 Business Example: Hate cold lunches but want more leads? Choose digital ads (autonomy). Learn/media-buying skills and measure CPL/ROAS (competence). Join a marketers’ community or hire a mentor (relatedness). You’ll execute longer and better.

🚀 5-Step Quick Start:

• Choose a path you’re genuinely curious about (autonomy).
• Define a skill ladder you can level up weekly (competence).
• Find your people (forum, mastermind, group chat) (relatedness).
• Track momentum: one metric you can improve each week.
• Review & adjust every 14 days—keep what pulls you in.

🧱 Common Traps to Avoid:

• Outsourcing autonomy: Doing things you hate because you “should.”
• No feedback loop: If you can’t see improvement, motivation dies.
• Going solo: Without community, friction wins.

⏱️ Chapters:

• 00:00 The problem with “just be disciplined”
• 00:35 Operators vs. civilians: the real gap I saw coaching
• 01:20 Self-Determination Theory (SDT) overview
• 02:05 The one question that unlocks motivation
• 02:40 Driver #1: Competence (get better at a skill)
• 03:05 Driver #2: Autonomy (you must choose it)
• 03:30 Driver #3: Relatedness (do it with others)
• 03:55 Fitness example: aerobic gains without running
• 05:20 Business example: more leads without face-to-face
• 06:45 5-step quick start to sustain motivation
• 07:45 Pitfalls and how to fix them fast
• 08:20 Final challenge: answer the question & act

Final Take: Motivation isn’t magic—it’s designed. Lock in autonomy, competence, and relatedness, and you’ll stop white-knuckling discipline and start wanting the work.

Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerred.moon/ My site: https://better.biz Get my book: https://bit.ly/killingcomfort

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