Word Of The Day? Motivation!
The word of the day is motivation. Everyone is motivated in some way to do something. If the motivation is not yielding an action that has a positive, healthy impact on your life it is time to shift some thoughts and actions. It sounds simple enough. If you read this blog regularly, it probably sounds a little familiar too. That is because goals need motivation. Here are a couple basic things to think about when evaluating motivation.
Motivation goes by two names. The first, and the one most people have, is called extrinsic. It represents all external motivations. Money, status, physical beauty, etc. are all examples of external motivators. The second, and most effective in the long term, is intrinsic. This includes all things internal. Thoughts, feelings, health, safety, etc. are all intrinsic. Sometimes, the same result can be achieved through either type of motivation. It is also possible to start off in one mindset and shift to the other during and still attain the same outcome.
For example, Sally wants to lose 50 lbs. She believes that weight loss will make her more attractive to the world. So, her initial motivation is extrinsic because she is anticipating her “reward” to be outside the actual completion of the task itself. Sally begins a regular exercise routine and adjusts her diet. Over the next couple of weeks Sally loses 5 lbs. She also begins to have more confidence in herself because she has learned that she is capable of doing more than she anticipated.
Now, Sally exercises because she wants to challenge herself. This is a shift in motivation. The intrinsic motivation here is Sally’s increased desire to complete a specific task. Therefore, her “reward” can only come from the task itself. Either way, she will reap the reward of the exercise. One reward of exercise and healthy diet can be weight loss. Since her motivation is now intrinsic she will, most likely, continue on with diet and exercise long after she reaches her initial 50 lb goal.
Take some time to look at what gets you going. What and how are you motivated? Compare your set goals with what motivated or motivates you to achieve them. Then get out there and make it happen!!
