Get clarity of what you want, and you will find the energy you need to move toward it.
Photo courtesy of Matthew Fassnacht – Unsplash
To be motivated, you need motive… a reason to get up, push through, overcome.
Does the bride choose not to eat the cake because she doesn’t want it… no…she has her eyes on that beautiful dress she wants to wear…
Does the student enjoy the hours upon hours of study or the pressure of exams… no… they have their career in mind
Does the triathlete feel excited to be getting up at silly o’clock on a cold and dark winters morning to train, no… it’s their desire to bring their best on race day
Three very different examples with one thing in common… they each have their eyes on the prize… their prize.
Everyone’s prize looks different and we each have our own set of challenges and obstacles that we must overcome to reach it, however the power is in knowing what you want and why.
What is your ‘prize’?
When you “want” something, it fans your inner flame. You are inspired by the reward it drives the determination that will help you overcome challenges and press on when you are feeling tired or overwhelmed.
An excuse we hear (and occasionally say) is “yes but I am just not motivated.”
If this is you, I would first encourage you to shift your language to “yes but I am just not motivated, YET”. This simple step enables your mindset to begin to shift into a more positive state. Remember “Your mind doesn’t know what to think, so it believes whatever you tell it.” (Thanks Nicholas King!)
Being motivated is a choice.
Find your motive, find your motivation.
Sometimes that is easy… we have our career/life/fitness plan and have goals and milestones we are progressively working towards. Other times we stumble across a thing or opportunity and it inspires us… we see what others are doing and want to try it too.
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivators
Whatever our motive we can set ourselves up for the journey with the awareness of intrinsic and extrinsic motivators. Intrinsic comes from within yourself and extrinsic is externally generated from things or people around you.
Internally you may feel joy, accomplishment, satisfaction and even pride for completing something. These are things you would do because you find them enjoyable and interesting. The reward is the activity itself.
Externally you might have an outside incentive or pressure to do it, such as a deadline or rewards like trophies, money, recognition, and praise. The reward is getting something in return or avoiding something unpleasant.
While both types of motivators will keep us moving, it is personal motive and intrinsic motivators that will contribute to us not giving up too soon. This is why it is important to feel a sense of purpose in our work.
Self Determination Theory researchers Deci and Cascio found that when our environments promote our self-competence, then our level of inner motivation goes up.
So, nurture your best self by creating an environment where you get to do things that bring you joy and light your inner flame.
What do you want to do, and why?
Get clear on what you want and keep your eyes on the prize.
I’ll be posting every weekday in August. Follow me to benefit from my Adapt in August series and build your capability for adapting to change.
Keep well,
Vicki
My business is helping you with yours…
If you would like further information or to arrange some support in building this skill please don’t hesitate to contact me. I look forward to helping you build your success your way.
Yours in success,
Vicki
