What Motivates You?

Posted on Updated on

When was the last time you searched within yourself to answer the question – ‘What motivates me?’ What did you discover?  Was it a zest to master the next challenge? The pleasure of meeting people? Or the desire to have an influence and impact that will put your stamp on the world? Many of us strive daily to accomplish the tasks at hand. However, have you stopped lately to think of what really drives you to keep going? Are you aware of what matters most to you in your daily efforts to achieve? Do you know your WHY factor?

There are three fundamental motivators of our behavior: the need for autonomy, mastery and purpose. These are the great – largely unconscious – drivers which shape the course of our personal and working lives. Knowing what motivates you provides insightful guidance with choosing career and personal endeavors; which will help lead to a satisfying successful lifestyle. Depending on your goals, age, and at what stage you are at in your life, the factors that motivate you will be different.

Take time for you – find time to ponder what, how, or if each of the following motivators are important to you.

Autonomy – The desire to direct your own life.  
  • Being the decision maker and in control on how you spend your time.  
  • Seeking opportunities to be creative and innovative.  
  • Working in an environment that allows you to work at your agreed hours (giving you plenty of time for your personal life).
Mastery – The urge to get better and better something that matters.
  • The chance to learn more and gain new skills.
  • Striving to be your best with a skill.
  • Having opportunities to compete with your own performance or with others.
Purpose – The yearning to do what you do in the service of something larger than yourself
  • Doing something that requires you to make a contribution.
  • The opportunity to work with others closely and receive and give help as well as feedback.
  • Making an impact on something.Motivation

Knowing what excites you to act is the key to staying inspired.  No one can truly drive you but you. Others can inspire, encourage and support you. 

Take time for you, discover what truly motivates you. 

Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. ~ Lou Holtz

Advertisement

This entry was posted in Mindful Moments and tagged , , .