The Notion of Motivation Is B.S.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dr. Laura Podcast

Episode: The Notion of Motivation Is B.S.

Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Date: March 24, 2026

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Laura Schlessinger takes a hard stance against the common reliance on "motivation" as an excuse or requirement for personal growth and responsible action. Drawing on research, listener questions, and her own philosophy, Dr. Laura asserts that true achievement and honor result not from fleeting feelings but from discipline, rational thinking, and character. She underscores the dangers of letting feelings dictate action, illustrates with personal stories, and challenges listeners to rethink how they approach their responsibilities.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Myth of Motivation

• [01:01] Dr. Laura opens with her core argument:
  • People often ask, “How do I motivate myself to do things I don’t want to do?”
  • She dismisses the idea that motivation is a necessary precondition to action. Instead, she frames it as a “commodity” people search for unnecessarily.
  • “It’s like this is a commodity that I have to find out where I get it. Where can I get motivation? Can I buy it? Can I rent it? Can I steal it?” ([01:35] Dr. Laura)

Feelings Versus Discipline

• Dr. Laura asserts that feelings are unreliable guides for responsible behavior:
  • “Feelings are the way to failure. Rational thinking, discipline is the way to success.” ([02:14] Dr. Laura)
  • She criticizes the pop psychology emphasis on feelings:
    • “Pop psychology has made feelings the ultimate important experience … and it isn’t.” ([02:43] Dr. Laura)
  • She stresses that if everyone only acted when they felt like it, "the world would be in a much crappier place than it is now." ([03:07] Dr. Laura)

The Danger of Elevating Feelings

• [03:50] Dr. Laura provides everyday examples to illustrate her point:
  • Skipping work, exercise, or chores simply because one doesn’t “feel like it” is a habit for “a loser, weak person.”
  • She softens this slightly, saying it’s acceptable “now and then,” but as a pattern, “that is a weak loser.” ([04:12] Dr. Laura)
• She emphasizes teaching children that feelings of not wanting to do something are irrelevant:
  • “Don’t care if you don’t feel like it. It’s not relevant. Not how you make decisions and take care of responsibilities. It's not how you’re an honorable person.” ([04:40] Dr. Laura)

Discipline Illustrated: A Personal Story

• [07:40] Dr. Laura shares a story of her longtime business partner who committed to getting healthier:
  • He eats only half of his meal, has healthy snacks, and adopted "snackless Wednesdays."
  • His method is rooted entirely in discipline—he deliberately ignores his feelings of desire or hunger and instead follows a pre-set plan.
  • “The difference is I don't worry about how I feel in terms of I want it. ... I don't listen to my feelings. I listen to my brain that tells me decisions I've made and following through.” ([10:27] Dr. Laura paraphrasing her business partner)
• Dr. Laura reinforces that “intelligent decisions, character and discipline are everything.” ([10:57] Dr. Laura)

The Call to Listeners

• Dr. Laura challenges her audience directly:
  • “I'd like you all to think about that because the vast majority of you listening listen to your feelings more than your IQ. I don't think it's gotten you ahead.” ([11:50] Dr. Laura)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the futility of waiting for motivation:
  • “Where can I get motivation? Can I buy it? Can I rent it? Can I steal it?” ([01:35] Dr. Laura)
• On the perils of “I don’t feel like it”:
  • “If that's their pattern now and then, it's fine. But if that's the pattern, that is a weak loser.” ([04:06] Dr. Laura)
• On responsible decision-making:
  • “Don’t care if you don’t feel like it. It’s not relevant. Not how you make decisions and take care of responsibilities. It's not how you’re an honorable person. It certainly will not make you a successful person.” ([04:40] Dr. Laura)
• Practical example of discipline:
  • Quoting her partner’s new habits:
    • “I don't listen to my feelings. I listen to my brain that tells me decisions I've made and following through.” ([10:27] Dr. Laura, paraphrasing)
• Summary call to action:
  • “Be an honorable, strong, successful, ultimately successful person by making decisions.” ([07:40] Dr. Laura)
  • “So the hell with how you feel at any particular moment.” ([07:40] Dr. Laura)

---

Important Timestamps

• [01:01 – 05:23]: Dr. Laura’s monologue on the myth of motivation and discipline over feelings
• [07:40 – 12:17]: Personal example illustrating the power of discipline vs. feelings

---

Recap & Key Takeaway

Dr. Laura vehemently rejects the popular notion that motivation is essential for taking responsible action, framing this mindset as both disempowering and inaccurate. She calls on listeners to replace feeling-driven choices with discipline, rationality, and steadfast commitment, using both philosophical arguments and concrete personal examples to underscore her message. "The Notion of Motivation Is B.S." is a brisk, challenging listen that urges you to upgrade your life by leaving the tyranny of feelings behind.

Transcript

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Let's go.

[Movie Trailer Announcer]

From Nintendo and Illumination, the Super Mario

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

brothers can take care of the kingdom.

[Movie Trailer Announcer]

Comes a super powered adventure. This Wednesday, pack our things. The galaxy gets even bigger.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

He knows that's my bike, right?

[Movie Trailer Announcer]

Yes, sir. The Super Mario Galaxy movie Hitty pg only in theaters Wednesday. Get tickets now. Look.

[Walmart Pharmacy Announcer]

If you've got prescriptions, the Walmart app is your place to manage them. Transfer your scripts, refill them and have them delivered straight to you. Migraines, managed allergies, alleviated dermatology, derma delivered ding dong. Is that your pizza? Nope. Walmart pharmacy delivery with a refill. Switch to Walmart and manage your prescriptions in the app. The Walmart you thought you knew is now new delivery. Not available for all prescriptions. Exclusions apply.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Thank you for listening to my morning monologue brought to you by Golden Crest Metals. Helping everyday investors protect what they've worked so hard to build by adding gold and silver to retirement portfolios. Learn [e-mail] Protect Remember, you can hear my radio program daily on Sirius XM Triumph and connect with me 24 [e-mail] I talked about how motivation is BS. And it's a notion I'd like you all to drop. It calls all the time as you hear if you listen regularly. How do I motivate myself to work out? How do I motivate myself to not drink, to not smoke? How do I motivate myself to get my work done? How do I, how do I? How do I? How do I? And I contend there is only one way and it isn't motivation. It's like this is a commodity that I have to find out where I get it. Where can I get motivation? Can I buy it? Can I rent it? Can I steal it? Can it be in somebody else's hands? You know, where they make me do it, whatever it is. A lot of you place responsibility for not doing the things you ought to be doing, you're supposed to be doing, you're committed to doing because you don't feel like it. So the next question is, where do I get the motivation? What does that mean? That means some kind of product energy that overcomes feelings in general, feelings are the way to failure. Rational thinking, discipline is the way to success. I don't feel like it. I don't feel like it's right. I feel like you shouldn't. I feel like. My gosh, folks, that's used all the time. I feel it, I feel it, I feel it. I don't feel it. I don't Feel it. Stop elevating feelings that much. And certainly pop psychology has made feelings, the ultimate important experience, an issue in life. And it isn't if everybody on the face of the earth only made decisions, only took care of their responsibilities when they had the feeling to do it, the world will be in a much crappier place than it is now. Seriously. Seriously. Oh my gosh. Think about it. You get up and you don't feel like it. So you say you have a stomachache and get out of work or school or I just don't feel like it. You get up and you know you should do some working out, but you don't feel like it. You had an injury and you know you should rehab yourself at this point and you don't feel like it. And you know you have to make dinner and go shopping and do it, but you don't really feel like it. That is a loser, weak person. If that's their pattern now and then, it's fine. But if that's the pattern, that is a weak loser. And this is one of the important things children should be taught from day one. Feeling like it or not feeling like it is irrelevant. Don't care. Don't care if you don't feel like it. It's not relevant. Not how you make decisions and take care of responsibilities. It's not how you're an honorable person. It certainly will not make you a successful person.

[Dr. Horton Home Builder Announcer]

Your new home is now ready. Dr. Horton, America's Builder has new homes that are ready today with new construction communities in Ellensburg and throughout the Greater Seattle area. Dr. Horton, the right home for you. At Dr. Horton, we're still building with flexible living spaces, smart home technology, and two and three car garages. More communities and more homes available every day. Find your new home in Ellensburg now ready@dr. Horton.com Dr. Horton, America's builder and equal housing opportunity builder.

[The Knot Wedding Planner Announcer]

Planning a wedding shouldn't feel overwhelming. The Knot brings everything together in one place. Vendors who get your vibe, a custom planning checklist, guest list tools, and a free wedding website that syncs with it all. So instead of juggling a dozen apps and spreadsheets, you can actually enjoy getting married. Get [e-mail] audio the knot. Let's plan your wedding together.

[Geico Insurance Announcer]

We've all been there. You hold onto a coupon but forget about it and suddenly it's expired.

[Movie Trailer Announcer]

Expired in 2012. Dang it.

[Geico Insurance Announcer]

Fortunately, by switching to Geico, you could save about $900 on car insurance without ever touching a coupon.

[Dr. Horton Home Builder Announcer]

It feels good. Save big it feels good to Geico.

[Walmart Pharmacy Announcer]

Look, if you've got prescriptions, the Walmart app is your place to manage them. Transfer your scripts, refill them, and have them delivered straight to you. Migraines, managed allergies, alleviated dermatology, derma delivered. Ding dong. Is that your pizza? Nope. Walmart pharmacy delivery with a refill. Switch to Walmart and manage your prescriptions in the app. The Walmart you thought you knew is now new delivery. Not available for all prescriptions. Exclusions apply.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Oh, could this vintage store be any cuter? Right? And the best part, they accept Discover.

[Walmart Pharmacy Announcer]

Except Discover in a little place like this? I don't think so, Jennifer.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Oh, yeah, huh? Discover's accepted where I like to shop. Come on, baby, get with the times. Right, so we shouldn't get the parachute pants. These are making a comeback, I think.

[Geico Insurance Announcer]

Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide, based on the February 2025 Nielsen report.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

So the hell with how you feel at any particular moment. Be an honorable, strong, successful, ultimately successful person by making decisions. My business partner for 25 years retired, but he has about, you know, a quarter of an inch investment still here. We shifted over and. But we've been best buddies, so came all the way up to spend the day, done that from time to time over 25 years. And I go down there, We went out on the boat and just had a little cruise and talked a lot of business. Came in, watched a movie, the House on Telegraph Hill. Really good quality. And then I said, let me treat you to dinner. Took him to my favorite, favorite, favorite place called Lilac outside of Santa Barbara. So we're finishing dinner and I notice he's eaten half of everything. Half the roll, half the fish, half the spinach, which is written with lots of garlic. They even wrote lots of L O T S A. Yeah, funny. And half the potatoes. And I said, hmm, this is a big dude. But he's been on a several year commitment to getting healthier because he realized for, what did he say? For 30, 40 years he didn't take care of his health and he's totally committed now. And that was the reason for retiring. I mean, he's busy with all sorts of theater things and symphony things and stuff like that. And I said, you're only eating half. Are you going to take the rest home? He said, no. He said, it's what I do now. I have one big meal a day and I eat half of it. And then he talked about his snacks. And his snacks are all healthy things, but they're still snacks. You know, dried fruit has a lot of sugar. So he decided to do a snackless Wednesday. So on Wednesdays there are no snacks. And slowly he kept adding these disciplines. And he said the difference is I don't worry about how I feel in terms of I want it. I feel like I want to have a snack. I feel like I want to eat. I feel like he said he ignored the I feel because I had discussed this with him. My theory, my presentation about motivation is nonsense. Intelligent decisions, character and discipline are everything. And he agreed. He said, that's exactly what I'm doing. I don't listen. I used to listen to hunger pangs or feeling a little antsy and I knew that if I ate something, I'd feel better. You know, I don't listen to my feelings. I listen to my brain that tells me decisions I've made and following through. So I'd like you all to think about that because the vast majority of you listening listen to your feelings more than your iq. I don't think it's gotten you ahead. My number one, 800-375-2872. If you like this podcast, be sure to rate it on Apple Podcasts or your favorite place to listen to my podcast. Of course, I'd love if you gave me five stars. And be sure to share this podcast with a friend on Facebook or your preferred social media platform. So good, so good, so good.

[Nordstrom Rack Announcer]

Spring styles are at Nordstrom Rack stores now and they're up to 60% off. Stock up and save on Rag and Bone, Madewell, Vince, All Saints, and more of your favorites.

[Walmart Pharmacy Announcer]

How did I not know Rack has Adidas?

[Nordstrom Rack Announcer]

Why do we rack for the hottest deals?

[The Knot Wedding Planner Announcer]

Just so many good brands.

[Nordstrom Rack Announcer]

Join the Nordy Club to unlock exclusive discounts. Shop new arrivals first and more. Plus buy online and pick up at your favorite Rack store for free. Great brands, great prices. That's why you rack.