Motivation is the unseen force that drives human behavior. It is what propels us out of bed early in the morning, what drives us to pursue our dreams, what helps us overcome barriers, and what keeps us going when the going gets tough. Without motivation, our goals are unattainable, and with motivation, the impossible can become possible.
What is Motivation?
Motivation is the general term used for the internal or external energy that starts, guides, and continues our behaviors. It answers the question, “Why do we do what we do?” For some, it is the desire to succeed, for others, it could be happiness, security, or self-actualization.
Types of Motivation
Intrinsic Motivation
- Comes from within.
- Guided by satisfaction, curiosity, passion, or desire to learn.
- For example: Writing poetry because you enjoy expressing yourself instead of for pay.
Extrinsic Motivation
- Comes from an external incentive or pressure.
- Includes stimuli like money, grades, notoriety, or the desire to avoid punishment.
- For example: Worked hard in school to earn a scholarship or worked overtime to earn a promotion.
Achievement Motivation
- The motivation to achieve, complete and demonstrate ability.
- This is often seen in athletes, entrepreneurs, and professionals who seek the challenge of achievement.
Social Motivation
- The motivation to develop connections, acceptance, and community.
- Friendships, family, and community often activate and amplify this motivation.
Fear-based Motivation
- The desire to avoid negative consequences.
- Fear can be a strong motivator but is not reliable for creating sustainable growth over time.
Why Motivation is Important
- Productivity: Motivation helps fuel our efforts toward a goal.
- Resilient individuals are motivated, which allows them to bounce back more quickly from failure or setbacks.
- Growth: Motivation helps fuel the learning, development of new skills, and ultimately transformation.
- Fulfillment: Achieving meaningful goals gets people closer to living with purpose and passion, which can bring a greater sense of satisfaction.
How to Stay Motivated
- Set Clear Goals: Attack larger ambitions by breaking them down into smaller objectives.
- Identify Your “Why”: Seek a big purpose behind the actions that will motivate you to take action.
- Create a Positive Environment: Motivating behaviors are also dependent on our environment. Connect with supportive people and in inspirational environments.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Celebrating small victories reminds us that progress is being made, even if we are not yet where we want to be, and helps to build motivation momentum.
- Change is Inevitable: Motivation and drive are not static throughout our lives. Be responsive to the fact that motivation changes, and be flexible and ready to adapt.
A Final Thought
motivation is not the same for everyone. Everyone has a different motivation cycle, that can rise and fall like the tide. The secret formula is not to await motivation, but to try to create motivation. By understanding where motivation comes from and fostering these factors into our daily lives, we can evolve our goals from being a far-off dream to being an impending reality.
