Every January, motivation becomes a popular topic as people set goals and make resolutions, but during National Motivation and Inspiration Day and New Year’s Resolution season, professional hypnotist Jesse Lewis says motivation is often misunderstood.
“Motivation is temporary by nature,” Lewis explains. “It shows up in bursts, then fades. Habits are what remain when motivation disappears.”
Lewis says hypnosis highlights this difference clearly. Hypnosis doesn’t rely on constant effort or enthusiasm. Instead, it works by aligning behavior with automatic responses and familiar patterns, which is how habits function in everyday life.
“People think they need to feel motivated to change,” Lewis says. “What they really need is a system that doesn’t depend on how they feel that day.”
As resolutions are emphasized early in the year, Lewis notes that many people blame themselves when motivation drops. In reality, that drop is expected. The brain naturally seeks efficiency, and habits provide it.
“Habits run in the background,” Lewis explains. “Motivation requires constant attention, and attention is limited.”
Having spent more than two decades performing live comedy hypnosis shows across Canada, Lewis says this is why change efforts based solely on motivation rarely last. “When behavior becomes automatic,” he says, “it doesn’t need encouragement.”
By understanding the difference between motivation and habit, Lewis believes people can approach change more realistically. “Motivation can start the process,” he says. “Habits are what finish it.”
Pull Quote:
“Motivation starts change, but habits are what sustain it.”
About the Expert
Jesse Lewis is a professional stage hypnotist with over 20 years of experience performing live comedy hypnosis shows across Canada. His work focuses on attention, audience engagement, and the psychology of suggestion.
Website: https://hypnotistjesselewis.com
Media Kit: https://hypnotistjesselewis.com/media-kit/
Media Contact
Jesse Lewis
Professional Hypnotist & Commentator
Email: jesselewishypnosis@gmail.com