Here’s How to Hack Motivation and Stay in the Game

Hey everybody – let’s talk about something nobody talks about enough…

Motivation.

That little fire in your belly that once had you waking up pumped to sell dream vacations and plan honeymoons in Santorini.

But now?

Well…maybe that fire has been toned down a bit.

Maybe the business side of Travel is not as easy as you thought.

Guess what – you’re not alone.

The truth is it’s hard out there and that’s why you need to better understand your motivation muscle.

That’s right…your motivation muscle.

And like any muscle, it needs the right fuel, reps, and recovery.

So, in this post, we’re going to cover:

• The two types of motivation (and why you need both)
• How to stay motivated when the sales activity or bookings are slow and the clients are needy
• Practical, research-backed methods to get you fired up again

You ready? Then grab your travel mug and fill it with your preferred liquid (at time of reading this) and let’s giddy up.

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation: What Actually Drives You?

The first place I want to start is with the two classifications of motivation.

You love helping families make memories. You get a thrill from crafting the perfect itinerary. You feel proud when a client says, “That was the best trip we’ve ever taken.”

This kind of motivation is fueled by:

• Purpose
• Mastery
• Autonomy

As Pink points out in his book:

“The most deeply motivated people—not to mention those who are most productive and satisfied—hitch their desires to a cause larger than themselves.”

Extrinsic Motivation = Outer Push

This is the bonus check. The cruise perks. The social media likes when you post your latest safari.

It’s real. It’s useful. But it’s also fleeting. If you rely on this alone, you’re going to burn out faster than a $79 JetBlue fare ☺

Why We Lose Our Motivation (And How to Get It Back)

So now we know more about the types of motivation. Let’s talk about how it’s lost. And more importantly, how to get it back.

This job can be amazing – but it’s not easy.

You’re dealing with:

• Endless supplier changes
• Clients who want 5-star dreams on a 2-star budget
• The mental load of being a marketer, planner, negotiator, and therapist – all in one

According to a 2024 ASTA member survey, 38% of travel advisors report struggling with “sustained energy and enthusiasm for the role” post-pandemic.

Ouch!

So, what can you do when your tank starts running low? Here are 5 things to consider.

1. Reconnect with Your Intrinsic Why

Ask yourself: Why did you get into this business?

Don’t go with just the surface-level answer (money, freedom, travel). Instead, go with the deep-down reason.

Write it down. Put it on a sticky note.

Next…

Build rituals around it:

• Create a “Why Wall” with client thank-you notes and vacation photos
• Start a weekly 10-minute journal: “What made me feel proud this week?”
• Share wins in your advisor network, Linked In feed or Slack group – don’t keep the good vibes to yourself

Motivation guru: James Clear author of monster best-seller Atomic Habits says:

“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”

So, your job is to keep casting votes for that motivated, impactful, and inspirational travel advisor.

2. Use Extrinsic Motivation the Right Way

Here’s the deal: You’re not above loving a good reward. None of us are.

But instead of chasing whatever shiny object the latest supplier is waving in your face, create meaningful goals with meaningful rewards.

Try this:

• Goal: Book 5 luxury European trips this quarter
• Reward: Take yourself on a spa day or buy that bougie travel bag you’ve been eyeing

The key? Make the reward two things: personal and immediate.

But here’s the real PRO move for you: Stack extrinsic rewards on top of consistent intrinsic habits. This is called temptation bundling.

And here’s an example of how it works. Want to watch Netflix guilt-free? Only do it after your prospecting hour.

You get the reward once you’ve completed the goal!

3. Build a System

Mr. Jimmy Clear has another killer idea:

“You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

Oh, that’s juicy, right? So, instead of saying:

“I’m going to stay motivated and get more clients!”

Say:

“I’m going to reach out to 3 past clients every Monday morning, no excuses.”

Build systems that:

• Automate follow-ups
• Batch social media content
• Schedule deep focus work (no phone, no inbox, no excuses)

The key to all of this is consistency. And consistency. Always. Always. Always wins in the end.

4. Surround Yourself with the Right People

There’s an idea out there that you are the average of the five people you hang around the most.

In a 2025 world, some of those five could include the people you follow on your social media.

In other words, if your feed is full of toxic comparison (hello, “influencer advisors” who apparently only fly private now), unfollow.

Instead:

• Join a mastermind of advisors who lift each other up
• Find a mentor who’s been in the trenches
• Or become that mentor for someone newer – you’d be surprised how motivating that is

According to a 2023 Gallup study, people who have a “great friend at work” are 63% more likely to be engaged in their job.

The bottom line is your crew = your fuel.

5. Hack Your Mindset with Micro-Momentum

Motivation often shows up after you start – not before.

So, start tiny:

• Write the subject line of your email
• Pull one quote for your next Instagram caption
• Research one new resort for your “Mexico” file

These micro-actions give you a dopamine hit. That creates momentum. That builds motivation. That leads to action. And action leads to more action.

Back to James Clear. He says:

“Motivation is often the result of action, not the cause of it.” Smart stuff!

Let’s Wrap This Up

Fact: You won’t always feel motivated. That is just being human, and that’s more to the point. As soon as you recognize it fading, have some simple tools or habits to rebalance and action against it.

But you can always build habits, surround yourself with the right people, and connect to the deeper why that brought you into this industry.

You don’t need another productivity hack or one more motivational quote with a beach background.

What you need is clarity, systems, maybe an adult beverage, and a friend who gets it.

And hey, if you’re still reading this?

You’ve already proven something: You care enough to keep showing up.

And that’s motivation, baby.