What motivates you – inspiration or desperation?

We have been thinking about motivation and we wonder what motivates you? There’s a song about the “lazy, hazy days of summer” and maybe it’s a time when you “kick back”, slow down and enjoy life. But when there’s something you have to do, what motivates you? Is it inspiration, desperation or something else?

Some interesting information is revealed in studies on what motivates people. Motivation can be divided into two categories – external motivation and internal motivation. External motivation comes from rewards such as money. Internal motivation is about peoples’ beliefs that they are part of something bigger than themselves. It is the story they tell themselves of what kind of person they are and the importance of what they do. It’s also about the vision they have for the greater purpose of their actions. For example, you might have heard the story of two bricklayers. When asked what they were doing, one of them said he was laying bricks and the other said he was building a cathedral. In other words, look at what they believe about the meaning of what they are doing. One has a job and the other has a calling, a vision of his work as meaningful.

When people reach a secure enough financial position, often the biggest motivator is not money. This holds true even in poorer cultures. People are more motivated when they are emotionally invested in the outcome of their actions and when they can see that what they do is making a difference. It is reported that John F. Kennedy was visiting NASA and saw a janitor mopping the floor. He asked him what his job was at NASA and the janitor replied, “I’m helping send a man to the moon”. The janitor saw his part in the big picture.

We started off asking what motivates you. Jim Rohn said, ‘We generally change ourselves for one of two reasons: inspiration or desperation.” We’ve experienced both and inspiration is definitely preferred. Desperation is usually a much more stressful motivator. Studies show that inspiration is a motivator that produces positive feelings. When people feel inspired by something greater than themselves, they get motivated.

Maybe it is your love of family, church, or country that motivates you. In your life, have you realized there are things you are motivated to do because you know you are making a difference? Also, what is the story that you tell yourself about who you are? Positive beliefs such as, “I am a good person who helps other people,” will motivate you to do more helping.

We decided to talk to someone about motivation. We met Chanhassen resident, Craig Winter, who was walking his dog, Lola, at Lake Susan Park. We asked Craig, was he motivated by inspiration, desperation or something else. He answered, ”I guess it’s a little bit of both and my family motivates me. I have a wonderful wife, Chris. I’ve been married for 34 years. We’ve got two wonderful children, Melissa who’s 30 and Alex who’s 26. We just live life to the fullest. I’m getting to the age where I’m starting to see the other side of the tunnel but it’s fun. I’ve been very fortunate in life and it’s been a great time for me.”

About his work, Craig told us, “I’m a regional market manager for Cigna. I’ve been with Cigna for 14 years. It’s been a great company and an enjoyable job. I have seven people who report to me – really good people, and it just makes my job so much easier. I enjoy what I do and when you enjoy what you do, it makes life so much easier.” When asked how he stays motivated he shared, “Every day I get up and just look at it and say, ‘What are we going to do today?’ and we just go from there.”

Craig said that his family motivates him and he is also motivated by living life to the fullest. How about you? What motivates you?

Here’s a challenge: Maybe there are things that you need or want to do. Identify what motivates you and decide if your motivational style is a good fit for you. To avoid desperation and stress when a firm deadline appears, plan ahead and set reminder alerts so you can be prepared. If you need inspiration, take time to see your efforts as a calling, not as a job, and your actions as meaningful and purposeful. Each of us, by our positive actions, can contribute to making this a better and more caring world.

Chanhassen residents Doug and Lynn Nodland are Success Coaches and owners of The Balance Center. They can be contacted at WeCare@SharingLifesLessons.com

© Doug and Lynn Nodland 2018 Articles and videos may be shared in their entirety with attribution.