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“When you do what you fear most, then you can do anything.” – Stephen Richards
When I changed my thought process to understanding what I need and want right now rather than what I hoped would happen in the future, I added a new dimension – self-motivation. This term means taking ownership of one’s destiny now and calls for initiative and drive. Self-motivation is the fire that pushes someone forward helping to get closer to their personal and professional goals. A lack of self-motivation, in my opinion, would sound the death knell on progress and the achievement of anything and relegate the person into nothingness and maybe even abject failure.
Self-motivation is more than just a skill – it is difference between moving forward and hitting a plateau that will interfere with every aspect of the person’s life. It is a life sustaining attribute then. Self-motivation pushes us mentally even if we may feel physically spent and tired. It is proven that people who have strong urges and drive, will be more passionate, organized and have the zest to get more done in a shorter period of time. This leads to higher and sustained levels of self-confidence and enhanced personal esteem. Do you understand your self-motivation?
Why is self-motivation so important?
Self-motivation works as an elixir for life. It helps you accept and take on challenges and struggles head on, safe in the knowledge that you will be able to tide over.
– It keeps you focused and also provides new ‘leads’ and direction to your life. You feel more in control and are able to plan ahead with more ease. Life’s difficulties become a given and yet are unable to deter you from your chosen path.
– Self-motivation lends eagerness and interest in everything you undertake. Be it cooking up a tasty meal or completing an important project – self-motivation will let you go at it with gusto.
– When you are able to complete whatever you undertake with a high degree of excellence, you feel satiated and fulfilled. This feeling is probably incomparable to any other.
– Self-motivation empowers you not just in the face of tough times but also tough people and their barricaded thought processes. It keeps you positive despite negativity that may surround you thereby ensuring that your mind remains balanced and focused only on what you have set out to achieve. Over time, sustained use and understanding of self-motivation becomes your trademark and a robust habit.
Self-motivation is like fuel, the more you use it the faster you will move towards your chosen destination. Each person needs to have some kind of motivation – for some it is achievement or affiliation, others thrive on competing and power and yet others are motivated by reward or fear. The desire to attain a goal and advance in life is achievement motivation, being liked and to build cooperation with like-minded groups is another kind of self-motivation known as motivation through affiliation. For some others being ahead of others while competing, being masters of their chosen field and being known as leaders are motivating factors and is known as competence motivation. Yet others are motivated when they are in positions of power and influence – able to control others and bring about changes while taking calculated risks – this is power motivation. Some people are motivated when the situation answers the question “what’s in it for me”? Awards and rewards drive such people and this is motivation by incentive. Fear is another great motivator – it pushes people to doing things instantly and speedily. However, this kind of motivation is not long-term, since people eventually learn how to deal with their fears.
Self-motivation as an attribute may seem like common sense but the reality is that motivation changes depending on the situation and a person’s needs and wants. A clear understanding of what will drive and motivate you is the key to moving ahead and overcoming your own biases and the prejudices of others.