Motivation: The impetus of success
Motivation refers to the internal driving force that moves us to action, to make choices, and to grow toward a goal. Motivation is a main component in every facet of human behavior. It affects how we do our jobs, manage our relationships, develop ourselves, and commit to long-term objectives. Contextually, understanding motivation (how it functions, how to focus it, how to facilitate it) helps us achieve our big objectives while giving us energization for action and providing a meaningful purpose in life itself.
What Is Motivation?
Simply stated, motivation is what causes us to begin and continue in action. It is the reason we do what we do. Motivation may be based on biological needs (hunger, thirst), psychological motivations (achievement, connection), or sociocultural influences (conforming, being approval seeking).
There are basically two types of motivation:
1.Intrinsic Motivation: Intrinsic motivation comes from within. We engage in behaviors or activity for the intrinsic satisfaction or enjoyment of the activity itself. One of many examples might be learning a new skill (a language, computer coding, etc.), simply for the challenge of learning something new. Another example could include playing a musical instrument simply for the love of music.
2.Extrinsic Motivation: Extrinsic motivation is externally driven. This might be toward a reward or recognition, or to avoid negative consequences. An example might be working hard in a job to gain promotion, or exercising to lose weight, or studying to achieve good grades.
The Science of Motivation.
Motivation is deeply implanted in psychological, and some physiological, processes. Many theories have been offered to explain how motivation works or motivates behavior. Two of the better notions include the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs terms, and the Vallerand framework of Motivation.
According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs theory: We are based on 5 categorized needs in our motivation; physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Once we have met lower level needs, we are motivated to go on meeting higher-level goals such as personal growth, achievement, and fulfillments.
Self-determination theory (SDT): According to the SDT, individuals are motivated when their basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness are fulfilled. When these needs are satisfied, the intrinsic motivation of the individual is heightened, which leads to an increase in engagement and satisfaction.
Expectation Theory: Expectation factor indicates that one’s motivation is influenced by expectation on the implications of the result. We are more motivated when we believe that our steps forward will likely lead to the desired outcome we want, and that outcome will be valuable to us.
Why is motivation important?
Motivation is the driving force of success in every facet of life. Personal goals, academic success, or career advancement, we would not take that step forward unless there was motivation behind it. Here are a few particular reasons motivation is so important.
Motivation moves us forward: Motivation gets us focused and committed even when things get difficult. Motivation keeps moving us forward, regardless of what obstacles are in our way.
Motivation increases productivity: Motivated individuals tend to be more productive than unmotivated individuals. Motivated individuals are willing to put in the effort to complete tasks, meet deadlines, and meet or exceed expectations.
Motivation builds resilience: Individuals who are motivated tend to be able to endure stress and hardship more readily, as well as act on their motivation in spite of adversity. Motivation gives us the mental capacity to keep working toward the thing we want when we don’t conquer it at the first obstacle or the first time we try.
Motivation put to full use fosters personal growth: When motivated, we are willing to take risk, inconvenience ourselves, and step out of our comfort zones in order to grow. Motivation is an essential factor in learning new skills, embracing change, and taking on task for the purpose of improving yourself.
Motivation adds value to your well-being: Motivation aligns with our core values and desires so achieving a goal brings a sense of value to the process. There is distinct degree of satisfaction from accomplishing something that we wanted and worked hard on.
How to Stay Motivated Motivation is a powerful tool. However, it often comes and goes, so learning how to stay motivated for a longer period of time is a challenge. Particularly when you encounter difficult times or distractions. Here are some things you can do to stay motivated Part two Personal Goals How to Stay Motivated
1. Set Clear, Attainable Goals:
When goals are clear, and specific and are broken into smaller, attainable steps, they are easier to follow than large ones that leave you feeling overwhelmed. Make sure to celebrate those small victories along the way, as doing so will also help you build momentum.
2. Find Your “Why”
Whether it’s health, financial freedom, or affecting positive change, your “why” can get you back on track when you lose your motivation for achieving your goals. The reason behind your goal can ignite that desire to continue pushing forward. Motivation Part Two Personal Goals: How to Stay Motivated.
3. Visualize Success:
Seeing is believing. When we visualize something, it becomes clear, and it’s almost as if we can reach out and touch it. Visualizing yourself having achieved your goal can help you stay motivated. Consider how your life will change, free from whatever was holding you back.
4. Create a Routine:
Motivation is fleeting, but discipline will catapult you to the finish line. Discipline and consistency over motivation alone means repeating a task enough times that it becomes a pattern. Eventually, it becomes a habit. If your routine aligns with your goals, you won’t need to rely on motivation alone to complete a task each day.
5. Surround Yourself with Positivity:
Practice positive thinking and self-encouragement. It’s easy to succumb to feeling sick of your job, or your Boss, or that exercise routine. Positive self-talk is a powerful method for combating feelings of frustration or for when the going gets too tough. If you focus on the one small thing you have control over, you will inevitably feel your motivation rebuild and you can refocus with a solution-oriented mind. Motivation Part Two Personal Goals: How to Stay Motivated.
6. Reward Yourself:
Positive reinforcement can keep motivation high. Every time you break a small goal or accomplish that one thing that you never thought you could, it’s important to reward yourself. Rewards don’t have to be tangible items. Sometimes it may just be a break.
Stay Accountable: Share your goals with someone else, or maybe even find an accountability partner to keep you accountable. When another person is encouraging you to keep accountable, you will more likely stay committed and motivated to accomplish your goals.
Track Your Progress: Tracking your progress will help you stay motivated. When you look back on what you’ve accomplished, it will boost your motivation. Whether through a journal, app, or a visual tracker, realizing how far along you are can help you stay motivated.
Surround Yourself with Supportive People: Who you spend time with impacts your motivation immensely. Look for supporting, like-minded people who support your goals and push you to be the best version of you.
Take Breaks: Burnout leads to a lack of motivation. Sometimes you will need to check in and see if you are exhausted and in need of a break. Resting, reflecting, and recharging can help you come back motivated and ready to take on new goals.
When it comes to overcoming your lack of motivation, know all of us experience being less-than-motivated regardless of drive. When this happens, don’t be too hard on yourself. Use this opportunity to unwind and observe what could be causing the lack of motivation. Decide if you are worn down from fatigue, from stress, low clarity, or just boredom? Even if you don’t identify the answer, we can all take proactive steps to overcome those lack of motivation situations. Here are practical ways to revive your motivation when you’re losing it:
Reassess Your Goals: A lack of motivation may come from wanting to reach goals that are not your goals anymore. Ask yourself: How went my passion for this goal? When you stop caring for a goal, it may be time to revisit your approach and make changes.
Change Your Environment: Just a simple change in routine or scenery could shock your outlook. Sometimes when you’re stuck you just need an early morning or traveling to a park, simply changing where you do something could change everything.
Allow Yourself to Get Inspired: Motivation can provide the fuel to encourage you to take action. Think about what has inspired you in the past and read success stories, listen to podcasts, or watch YouTube videos to gain further inspiration. Learning vicariously from others who have been successful in accomplishing similar goals can help you re-ignite your motivation.
Conclusion
Remember, motivation is what transforms ideas into action, aspirations into accomplishments, and dreams into reality. Motivation is what energizes you to persevere in your endeavors. Understanding your motivation and having some strategies to sustain your motivation prospectively will keep you going to reach your goals and experience pleasure in your life. Whether it is about personal development, career development, or healthy development, mastering your motivation is an early step toward realizing your potential.
