Self motivation…
The force that drives you to get stuff done… The definition sounds easy enough however to get the drive and the force to keep going is hard.
We have all had to self motivate, we don’t even have the discipline of a commute the deadline of travel.
Self motivation is the driver but you need the passenger of self discipline sitting alongside and encouraging you with a rigour and a structure.
Motivation is intrinsic and extrinsic and we need both working together to push us forward. Intrinsic comes from within us as to what we want to achieve and is the most fulfilling as we have set our own targets. Extrinsic is the external rewards, such as money and status.
A key component of emotional intelligence is self motivation, knowing what gets you out of bed in the morning. Daniel Goleman the author of numerous books on the subject says it has four components:-
- Achievement
- Commitment to your goals
- Initiative to seek out new opportunities
- Optimism that you will achieve
We are more likely to be motivated if we have set our own personal standards, we can follow other peoples standards however the motivation level will be low.
Scott Geller, psychologist says ask yourself three questions:-
- Can you do it?
- Will it work?
- Is it worth it?
The first question asks for self efficacy ( your belief in capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments).
The second question is your ability to way up the consequences, positive and negative and still not be deterred.
The final question weighs up everything, achievement, effort, consequences and result.
Geller also says you can evaluate against the 4 C’s:-
- Consequences
- Competence
- Choice (level of autonomy)
- Commuity (support from others)
So in order to be self motivated we need to set our own personal standards and be able to evaluate ourselves. To gain deep fulfilment we need to evoke passion find the drive within ourselves and not wait for others to give it to us.
The skills needed to self motivate:-
- Set personal goals and targets
- Introduce an element of risk – put the goals at stretch so you grow
- Seek feedback so that you improve
- Be committed to them – be disciplined
- Seek out new opportunities
- Manage setbacks and obstacles – do not get demotivated for long
The next step is to maintain your self motivation which can be the hardest part of the change you wish to make. Ironically today I watch the TED Talk on “Master Procrastinator” before writing a blog on self motivation.
Maintaining self motivation:-
- Continuous learning
- Surround yourself with motivated and supportive people
- Positive mindset and a growth mindset
- Harness your strengths
- Beat the procrastination
- Ask for help when you need it
Working from home has pushed us into self motivation at a deeper level and employers have trusted us far more than ever before. To continue to have the flexibility of working from home we will now have to share our personal standards on self motivation and self discipline.
There is no time like the present to talk with your line manager about the structuring of your day and the future goals you wish to attain.
Please do get in touch for a workshop on self motivation bev@nuggetsoflearning.co.uk
