So you follow a handful of motivational and inspiring platforms on social media. You read self-development articles almost daily that challenge you to become the best version of yourself. You’ve made Gary Vaynerchuk’s video series a part of your weekly routine. At some point in the last year, you wrote your own morning routine and followed it with near perfection for three months. And you’ve listened to more Tony Robbins clips than you can remember.

And it’s all been very helpful. You’ve changed a lot in the last year. You’ve thought a lot about your legacy, and for the first time think you know what you want your life to be about. Maybe you’ve started a business or other project and have found success.

But, you’re also noticing a problem. Self-development content doesn’t inspire you like it used to. Your business, lists of daily habits, and whatever other projects you couldn’t stop telling people about just a few months ago have become stagnant.

And yet, you still watch the videos and read the articles. Deep down, you are searching for that spark that got you started in all of this just a year ago to get you back on track.

If this is you, there is a message that you need to hear.

“Just Get Started,” and 5 Other Phrases You’re Tired of Hearing

You have become desensitized to the messages that circulate from personal development and inspirational content. That ‘spark’ you are searching for to get your business or life back on track isn’t going to come from the next video you watch. You will never be the person that’s inspired to get up at 5am again by motivational videos.

Why? Because that’s the easiest part of your journey towards your goals — and for you, it’s over. You’ve outgrown that strategy. The work you’ve put in has made your spirit, mind and body stronger and far more capable of reaching your goals than when you started. But to take the next step, you must discover a grounded sense of purpose, direction, and clarity toward the thing you want most in life. You must create a daily conviction for yourself that there’s work to be done and you need to get to it as soon as you can.

And that can’t come from an article. It must come from within.

But here’s the the kicker. The motivational messages are still useful to your journey. But it’s on you to stop using inspirational content as a tool for fleeting motivation, and instead internalize their messages with a more veteran perspective.

See for yourself. Below, you’ll find seven of the most cliche statements that exist in the realm of personal development. These are statements you’ve heard before and quite frankly, may be sick of hearing.

Each statement contains two sections: what the message likely sounds like in your head at the present moment, and how you should perceive it if you are to advance past where you are now.

1. “Stop talking about what you’re going to do and just get started.”

What this sounds like in your head right now:

“I get it — I need to work harder than anyone else and stop trying to make the perfect plan. I’ll start tomorrow.”

What this should mean to you:

Taking daily action towards your goals is the universal denominator towards all success. Without it, you’ll stay the same.

Everyone talks about what they are going to do. The people we all talk about — the 1% — are the ones quietly putting in the work. Every day is another chance to choose which side of that curve you’ll live on.

2. “Surround yourself with the right people.”

What this sounds like in your head right now:

“I need to find 5 people that are more successful, wealthier, and inspirational to spend all my time with. I have to ditch all my friends that are holding me back.”

What this should mean to you:

Audit your social circles on a regular basis. Be objective. Are they good for you and for your goals? If the answer is no, you must make a choice. Keep them around, and you risk never reaching the top of your mountain. They may not have to go forever, but they may need to go for now.

Remember that you are not better than anyone — friend or otherwise — because you have chosen to pursue a dream. You don’t get special privileges because you call yourself an entrepreneur. But it is your responsibility to decide whether or not their presence is helping or hurting your journey to the top.

Refusing to make a difficult choice is still making a choice.

3. “Visualize your success.”

What this sounds like in your head right now:

“Well, I did a visualization practice a few times, but didn’t really get the point of it. I guess I see how picturing my goals might help….”

What this should mean to you:

There are a thousand ways to practice visualization. It’s not rocket science, so don’t overthink it. See your desired outcome on a daily basis. Regular practice will give you a sense of clarity and motivate you during difficult times.

You will also be more equipped to say “no” to things that will lead you away from your goals by practicing visualization.

No one has ever stumbled into anything truly great. Even if no one else gets what you’re doing, never let go of the vision you have for your life.

4. “Work smarter, not harder.”

What this sounds like in your head right now:

“Take the path of least resistance whenever you can. Save your energy. The journey is a long haul. Blah, blah, blah.”

What this should mean to you:

Time is finite. That truth should shine through the work that you do always. Delegation and deletion are useful (if not imperative) at this point in your journey. Become attuned to the things that only you can do.

Do all that you can to automate, outsource, or eliminate the minutiae that holds you back from honing your craft. This doesn’t mean you put in less effort. Put more effort into the one or two things that matter most.

5. “Craft your ideal lifestyle.”

What this sounds like in your head right now:

“Within the next 8-12 months, I’ll be working from the beach with at least two forms of passive income doing work that I love.”

What this should mean to you:

Part of having a vision is knowing where you’ll end up. What are you doing it all for? To create something you can run on your own time? To spend more time with your family? To live longer, with more fulfillment, or more resources?

You may not get there right way. Heck, you may not get there for a long time. But you’ll never know whether “yes” or “no” is the right answer to any opportunities that will eventually present themselves until you decide what it is that you’re shooting for.

If it is the beach, great. If not, figure it out. Don’t let what others supposedly want become some ambiguous status quo you set for yourself.

6. “Stop worrying about what others think.”

What this sounds like in your head right now:

“Somehow, other people convince themselves that they shouldn’t give a crap about what anyone else thinks. I’m not there yet, but I want to be!”

What this should mean to you:

There will likely never be a point where you are completely desensitized to the things other people will say to you and about you. Even if you tune out 99% of the population, a family member or significant other will always stand the chance of making you feel bad or insecure.

You can develop thick skin, but it doesn’t happen overnight. This kind of growth is part of that thing you refer to as “the process”. It’s also a byproduct of years of hard work, to which there is no substitute. Keep your head down and grind it out. You will continue to change and eventually it won’t matter.