Motivation Fuels the Journey to Success
The word “motivation” is derived from the Latin term motivus (a moving cause).
“Motivation is an internal state that propels individuals to engage in goal-directed behavior. It is often understood as a force that explains why people or animals initiate, continue, or terminate a certain behavior at a particular time. It is a complex phenomenon, and its precise definition is disputed. Wikipedia”
Have you considered what motivates you and what is your driving force?
Examples of motivation
- Incentive: Motivated to perform a task because of the potential reward, i.e. a promotion or bonus, having the recognition of being staff member of the year.
- Achievement: Motivated by achieving a specific outcome or objective, i.e., impressing your co-workers, receiving positive feedback and/or finishing assignments with flying colors.
- Sport is a great example of achievement motivation as athletes strive to win. Many participate in the Olympics so that their names are written in history.
- Entrepreneurs are also great examples, because they possess goal-oriented mindsets, striving to achieve high-level goals.
- Power: Motivated by the tendency to derive pleasure from having influence over others and displeasure at potential external influence on oneself. Individuals that are especially concerned with their social status, reputation and prestige such as political power (the ability to make laws or enforce them); economic power (the ability to control resources or access to markets); military power (the ability to use force to achieve goals); and social power (the ability to influence others or shape cultural norms).
The tools I use to fuel my journey to success
- Setting personal, family, financial, career, educational, physical and leisure goals, which helps me to lead a balanced life.
To set goals you need to choose where you want to go in life, because by knowing what you want to achieve you will know where to apply and concentrate your efforts. It is a powerful process for thinking and motivating yourself to turn your vision into reality.
- Reading and/or listening to motivational materials.
In our lives we go through stages of highs, lows, challenges and victories. Reading motivational books, listening to motivational speeches and watching motivational videos helps us realize that we are not the only one going through these highs, lows, challenges and victories. We learn valuable lessons from other people’s lives and what they have experienced, overcome and learnt through the mistakes they have made in their own journeys.
- Associating myself with like-minded people.
Reflect on where you are in life and where you want to be in life. Reflect on who are your friends and who you spend your time with. What have they accomplished in life? Are they going somewhere? Are they reaching their goals? Who are your idols and what about them are you attracted to? What qualities are you striving for? Where do you want to be in 5 to 10 years from now. Will your group of friends/associates take you to where you want to be? These are hard questions that need to be asked and reflected upon.
- Having a mentor who has already achieved success.
A mentor is a person who has achieved success in their own lives, who can support, advise and guide you. They typically take the time to get to know you and the challenges you are facing and then use their understanding and personal experience to help you improve.
My Personal Values
- Respect: Having due regard, consideration, thoughtfulness and attentiveness towards others, treating them with esteem and regard.
- Integrity: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
- Empathy and compassion: Empathy refers more generally to our ability to take the perspective of and feel the emotions of another person; compassion is when those feelings and thoughts include the desire to help.
- Responsibility: The state or fact of being answerable and accountable for something within one’s power, control or management.
- Justice and Fairness: In the way people are dealt with.
- Freedom: Having the right to express oneself without fearing for one’s safety.
- Co-operation: Working alongside, encouraging mutual assistance and viewing others as potential collaborators.
We are created one of a kind (unique) and should not compare ourselves to others. We may look too others to inspire us and to show us the way, however, we need to be ourselves to be truly happy and reach our full potential.
“We are the authors of our life story, let’s make it a great one.”