You're half way there already.
#1 - "... independent of the level of external stresses?" You're beginning to recognize that you need an INTERNAL motivator and not just external drivers. THis is great.
#2 - "At this rate I'm headed for failure since my overall pace is not nearly fast enough." Once you are convinced of this fact, this should serve as a sufficient motivator (guaranteed failure.) Convince yourself that the status quo WILL ABSOLUTELY result in failure and you will change. When you're only one month out and you really believe, things pick up. Really analyze what you're doing (and not doing) and convince yourself equally well that you will fail longterm if you continue to do what you're doing and CHANGE.
Stephen
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