A Journey I’m Still Growing Through!
Veeslee Mhepo
A few years ago, no one would have described me as “self-motivated”. I was the kind of person who waited for the right time, the right push, the right encouragement from someone else. I had dreams, big ones, but I often felt stuck between wanting more and not knowing how to push myself to get it.
What I didn’t realise back then is that self-motivation isn’t something that arrives one day like a gift. It’s something I had to build slowly, intentionally, and sometimes painfully. This is my journey of learning how to master the art of self-motivation.
The first shift happened when I stopped making excuses for myself. I used to say things like, “I don’t have enough resources,” or “I’ll start when I feel ready.” But the truth? I was scared of failing, of being judged, of not being good enough.
One day, I asked myself a hard question.
If nothing changes, will I be okay with where I am in five years? The answer was no. And that discomfort became my starting point.
I used to rely on motivation that came and went like a burst of energy after watching an inspiring video. But that kind of motivation doesn’t last. What changed the game for me was finding my why. For me, it was about impact.
I wanted to use my voice, my experiences, and my energy to create change, especially for other young women like me who feel unseen or unsure of themselves. Once I connected my goals to something bigger than just “success”, it became easier to show up even on the days I didn’t feel like it.
Self-motivation isn’t just about pushing forward; it’s also about protecting my mindset. I won’t pretend I have it all figured out. There are still days when I struggle, procrastinate, or question myself. But the difference now is that I don’t stay stuck for long. I’ve built a relationship with myself where I know I can restart. I can refocus. I can try again.
There are days I wake up tired, unproductive, and honestly just not in the mood. Before, I would have taken that as a sign to stop. Now, I see it differently.
I’ve learned to rely more on discipline than feelings.
I create small routines, nothing fancy. Sometimes it’s just writing for 20 minutes, responding to emails, or working on one idea. It may not feel like much, but consistency builds confidence. And confidence fuels motivation.
Energy is contagious. I noticed that when I surrounded myself with people who were driven, passionate, and growth-focused, I naturally felt more inspired. At the same time, I had to limit both external and internal voices, which made me doubt myself.
And that, to me, is what mastering self-motivation really looks like.I spent so long waiting to feel ready before starting, and I wish I hadn’t. The truth is, the start never feels perfect. I had to begin where I was, with what I had.
I didn’t need to have everything figured out. I just needed to take one step, then another. Self-motivation isn’t about being perfect. It’s about choosing me, over and over again. And I’m still learning, but I’m more capable than I ever gave myself credit for.
