Action Precedes Motivation: The Secret to Getting Sober
“Our fatal mistake is waiting to be motivated before we take action. Action motivates.”
— Kyle Eschenroeder, “The Pocket Guide to Action”
We love to wait.
We wait for the right time, the right mood, the right burst of inspiration. We wait to feel ready before we make a change — especially when it comes to sobriety.
We tell ourselves, I’ll start when things calm down. When the next big event is over. After the first of the month, when I feel more motivated.
But if you’ve ever woken up after another night of regret — a pounding head, an empty stomach, a pit in your chest from not remembering what you said or did — you know how short-lived that motivation can be. By afternoon, the pain has dulled. The shame has softened. And that fleeting burst of I have to change fades into the background hum of old habits.
The truth is this:
Motivation is not what starts the engine. Action does.
We act our way into better thinking — not the other way around.
We don’t go to our first meeting because we feel confident. We go because something inside us whispers that maybe, just maybe, life could be different. We don’t pick up the self-help book because we feel inspired. We do it because we’re tired of feeling trapped. We don’t reach out for help because we want to. We do it because deep down, we know we can’t keep doing it alone.
Sobriety is not a mood. It’s a practice.
It’s a thousand small, often uncomfortable acts that, over time, create a completely different life.
Each time you act — by showing up, by saying no, by telling the truth, by staying present — you build the momentum that motivation could never give you. You begin to prove to yourself that you’re capable of change. That you can be trusted to follow through. That you can live in alignment with the life you actually want.
Action is the spark. And every step you take, no matter how small, fans that spark into a powerful flame.
If you’ve been waiting to feel ready — stop waiting. Take the step. Show up to the meeting. Read the first page of the book. Start writing in the journal. Sign up for the course.
Let action lead you, and motivation will follow. A better life is waiting for you to act.
The Sober 90 gives you the structure and support to build momentum — one day, one decision at a time. Take your first step today 👉 Join The Sober 90