In many ways, motivation is the holy grail. If we always wanted to do the right things, life would be easier, simpler, and more productive. But most motivation techniques fail spectacularly over time. They may work once or even a few times, but tend to run out of steam.

There is one motivation technique that works better than any other, and it can last a very long time. To be clear, this technique even works without willpower and without the power of habit. I...