In a recent LinkedIn post, Ankur Warikoo explores the fundamental human need for a sense of progress and how it serves as a more potent motivator than external validation or even traditional measures of success.
Warikoo uses a thought-provoking hypothetical scenario to illustrate his point: a gym with no mirrors, no weighing scale, and no other people. He posits that even if one were genuinely getting fitter or losing weight in such an environment, they might struggle to continue.
“How long would you last in this gym? Maybe not even a week. Even if you were actually getting fitter. Even if you were losing weight.”
The Crucial Role of Visible Progress
The core of Warikoo’s argument centers on the idea that humans require tangible evidence of their advancement. He contends that motivation isn’t solely derived from external rewards or even the intrinsic satisfaction of effort, but from the clear recognition that one’s actions are yielding results.
As Ankur Warikoo notes, the absence of visible progress undermines our drive: “Because this gym doesn’t give you what EVERY human needs. A sense of progress.” This lack of feedback, he suggests, can be demotivating, regardless of actual improvement.
Progress as the True Motivator
Warikoo contrasts this hypothetical gym with his own approach to personal and professional development. He reveals that his own motivation is fueled by looking back at his journey and the distance traveled.
“It’s not motivation that keeps us going. It’s knowing that something is working. That the hard work is compounding. That you’re better today than you were yesterday.”
To underscore this, Warikoo shares his practice of keeping all his past work, including early, potentially embarrassing videos and old blog posts. These artifacts serve as a powerful testament to his growth.
“All my early videos are still online, even the cringe ones. All my terrible blog posts from 2005 are still online. Because they show me the distance I’ve travelled; the progress I’ve made.”
Internalizing Success for Sustained Effort
The insights shared by Ankur Warikoo suggest a powerful strategy for individuals seeking to maintain momentum in their goals. Instead of relying on external benchmarks or the approval of others, Warikoo advocates for cultivating an internal system of tracking and appreciating progress.
He concludes his post with a direct call to action, urging readers to leverage their own achievements as their primary source of motivation: “Make your progress your motivation!” This perspective shifts the focus from the outcome to the journey, emphasizing that consistent, visible improvement is the most sustainable fuel for long-term commitment.
Warikoo’s analysis provides a valuable framework for understanding human psychology in the pursuit of goals, highlighting the profound impact of acknowledging and internalizing one’s own forward movement.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Ankur Warikoo on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on March 7, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →