Weekly Email: November 10, 2025

Weekly Email

Nov 10

In this week’s email:

Student Tip: Motivation usually starts after you begin
Program News: Utilizing Course Snapshots to plan for your next courses

Louisville this time of year is beautiful. The autumn colors fill the city and parks, and the cool (but not cold) weather has been wonderful again. I hope you’ve had a chance to get outside wherever you are and spend time with friends or family as we approach the holiday season. Also, the number of Chicago Cubs fans in the online program who wrote me after last week’s email is, well, disheartening. I’ll try not to hold it against you :)

Being in the middle of courses can be stressful, and motivation can fade this time of year, so below are some thoughts on staying motivated.

I’d love to hear from you about what’s resonating, what’s been challenging, and any topics you’d like me to write about.

Student Tip: Motivation Starts After You Begin

One of the ideas that has stuck with me since I first read Atomic Habits by James Clear several years ago is that motivation really only begins once you start doing the thing you want to feel motivated to do. Too often, we sit spinning our wheels, thinking, “If I just had the motivation, I’d finally start that project or assignment.” But motivation doesn’t usually come first. It comes after we begin.

The hardest part is taking that first step when we don’t want to. Many of us use deadlines as a kind of pseudo motivation. Maybe you’ve felt that before, the paper that’s been hanging over your head, and suddenly, when the deadline is close, you feel that rush of urgency to get it done. But that isn’t true motivation. It’s more like fear mixed with necessity.

For me, one of the reasons I sometimes struggle to take that first step is that I don’t really have a plan. My brain tricks me into thinking I can’t start because I don’t know how to start. But often, getting started simply means making a plan. It doesn’t need to be detailed, just broad steps. If you’re writing a paper, that might mean brainstorming your topic, identifying three sources, or writing a quick outline like you did in middle school: an introduction, three main points, and a conclusion. That simple structure can help you move from “I should start” to actually starting.

Another thing that gets in the way is distraction. When I try to make those first small steps, I often don’t give myself the space to think. In today’s world, distraction is always one tap away. At the first sign of boredom, it’s easy to reach for your phone or turn on something in the background. But sometimes what we really need is to sit in that boredom long enough to think clearly.

So here’s something to try this week:

Set a timer for 15 minutes. Sit with a blank page. If your computer is distracting, grab a piece of paper and a pen. Tell yourself, “For the next 15 minutes, I’m not going to do anything else except think about this assignment or project.” Even if you don’t write a word, commit to sitting there and wrestling with the awkwardness of wanting to do something else.
Make a simple plan. If you’re writing a paper, brainstorm three possible topics or write down your thesis. If the topic is already assigned, list three sources you could use or a rough outline of your argument. The goal isn’t to have a perfect plan but to take the first step toward clarity.
Start before you feel ready. Don’t wait for motivation to appear. It almost never does until you’ve already started. Once you’re in motion, your brain begins to align with the work, and real motivation starts to build.

This week, don’t wait to feel inspired. Just begin, even if the beginning feels uncomfortable. The act of starting is what invites motivation to follow.

Program News: Utilizing Course Snapshots to plan for your next course

As course registration is open for the spring and summer terms, I want to highlight our Course Snapshots once again. These short videos give you a quick look at what to expect in upcoming courses, including an overview from the professor, sample lectures so you can get a feel for the course, and the books you will be reading.

If you are planning your next term, take a few minutes to watch a snapshot or two before registering. They can help you choose courses that fit your goals and interests and maybe even help you discover a class you had not considered yet.

View Course Snapshots here →