The Alphabet of Motivation
A place to read about important concepts I use in my method.
I am convinced that what we consume in our daily life shapes our identity. In the mood of “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with” moto, I have made books my influence of choice.
I have been helping people with organisation and focus for 10 years now, but it is the first time I create a space where I can share my experience. I will feed this glossary with notes from a decade of reading to my favourite experts. You can see a list of my carefully curated references below.
Below definitions were taken from an old paperback Oxford English Dictionary.
This content is the core of my method, newsletter and articles.
Action
The process of doing something to achieve an aim.
Read more about Action soon
Anhedonia
The inability to feel pleasure in activities that are usually considered to be pleasurable.
Read more about Anhedonia soon
Attention
The faculty of considering or taking notice. Special care or consideration.
Read more about Attention soon
Change
Make or become different. Exchange one thing for another.
Read more about Change soon
Circadian rhythm
Our body's natural 24-hour clock which regulates cycles of alertness and sleepiness by responding to light changes in our environment.
Read more about Circadian rhythm soon
Cognitive patience
“The ability to maintain focused and sustained attention and delay gratification, while refraining from multitasking" (Maryanne Wolf)
Read more about Cognitive patience soon
Control
The power to influence people’s behaviour or the course of events.
Read more about Control soon
Dopamine
A neurochemical that regulates motivation, anticipation, and the drive to pursue meaningful goals.
Read more about Dopamine soon
Energy
The sthrenght and vitality required to keep active.
Read more about Energy soon
Enoughness
The mindset and lived experience of recognizing that what you have, what you do, and who you are is sufficient.
Read more about Enoughness soon
Environment
The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal or plant lives or operates.
Read more about Environment soon
Fear
An unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.
Read more about Fear soon
Focus
The center of interest or activity.
Read more about Focus soon
Habit
Something that a person does often.
Read more about Habit soon
Narcolepsy
A chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to control sleep-wake cycles.
Read more about Narcolepsy soon
Organisation system
The deliberate structure of tools, processes, and rhythms that support clarity, focus, and consistent progress.
Read more about Organisation systems soon
Perfectionism
Refusal to be satisfied with something unless it is done perfectly.
Read more about Perfectionism soon
Priorities
The state of being more important.
Read more about Priorities soon
Purpose
The reason for wich something is done or for which something exists.
Read more about Purpose soon
Self-esteem
Confidence in your own worth or abilities.
Read more about Self-esteem soon
Slow productivity
Focusing on the production of things that are good instead of being active.
Read more about Slow productivity soon
Stillness
A state of deep and quiet calm.
Read more about Stillness soon
Vision
The ability to think about the future with imagination or wisdom.
Read more about Vision soon
References
Authors
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He is MIT-trained computer science professor but also the first person I saw talking about digital minimalism.
He has written the book that literally changed my life 10 years ago: “Deep work: rules for focused success in a distracted world.” I am convinced my high quality focus capacity has made me the woman I am today. It’s simple: I call it my Bible.
Author of another must read book: “So good they can’t ignore you:why skills trump passion in the quest for work you love” or how to find pleasure in whatever you do or work on.
It is one of the very few newsletters I am subscribed to since he is not on social media, his content is usually very clean and to the point.
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He is my (unaware) narcoleptic mentor. Suffering from this rare disease, it is hard to find guides and he, as a writer, researcher, science journalist and father of two kids, made me realise me that everything is possible if can turn your limitations into unique skills.
He wrote the only good book about narcolepsy I have found until now: “Sleepyhead: narcolepsy, neuroscience and the search for a good night” covering various aspects of sleep and even helpful if you have no issues, just to improve the quality of your rest.
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He is considered as an expert in the connection between happiness and success, and not the way you think. I hadn’t heard about him before reading his best selling book I was given by a friend.
This book was: “The Happiness Advantage: the seven principles of positive psychology that fuel success and performance at work” and if the title can make you feel like it’s just another positive thinking rambling, it is not. Backed up with science and experiences, it taught me how to give more importance to what is already good and use it as a boost when everything feels too much.