What Motivates YOU?

What gets you going?

Have you really thought about what motivates you? What makes you tick? What really trips your trigger?

Of course, it depends on what we’re talking about here. What motivates you to go to your job each day is probably not the same as what motivates you to mow the lawn for your elderly neighbor. So, pick a particular task or activity and ask yourself the following questions:

Why am I doing this?

Ostensibly, the answer to this question will indicate what motivates you, but as we have seen previously, this alone won’t give you a complete picture. This only scratches the surface, so you are going to have to delve deeper if you want to get beyond the superficial.

What would happen as a result?

Think about cause and effect.

Would doing this allow me to perform or engage in some other task or activity?
Is it a necessary step in a longer, more complex process?

Conversely, you might ask yourself:

What would happen if I don’t do this?

Sins of omission can cause just as much trouble as sins of commission.

Have I given my word? Have I made a promise to someone?
Is there anyone depending on me?
Are there penalties or negative consequences if I fail to do this?

What good things could I expect?

How does it benefit me?

The benefits may be tangible or intangible.

What good things could I expect out of this?
How would it help me, make things easier, improve my quality of life?

How does it benefit others?

What you do will affect others as well – it’s a question of how, not if.

How does it help my family, friends, acquaintances, neighbors, co-workers, strangers?
How does it improve their lives, or ameliorate their pain?
Would they appreciate what I do?
Would others suffer in some way if I fail to do this?
Would they miss out on something?

Would I have the satisfaction of completing a challenge?

How will I feel as a result?

Understanding emotions can provide powerful insight into motives.

Would I have the satisfaction of a job well done, of completing a challenge, of brightening someone’s day?
Would I have a feeling of accomplishment? A sense of relief?
Would I be able to look back and say, “It was tough, but worth it”?
Would I feel legitimately proud of myself?
Would I feel arrogant? Superior? Inferior? Cocky, smug, self-assured?

Conversely:

How would I feel if I didn’t do this?

The yang to the above question.

Would I feel like I had let myself or someone else down?
Would I feel ashamed?

Determining motivation is a complex, highly individual process which deserves careful thought. Contemplating the above questions and answering them honestly and sincerely will go a long way towards helping you to ferret out what your motive is.