Take the next step
What drives you to take the next step in a tough situation?
What fuels your desire and motivation to succeed in work or life?
What provides the stimulus for you to accept new authority or responsibilities, overcome challenges or reach goals?
In many situations, this drive, fuel or stimulus often stems from extrinsic motivation from external sources. Examples could include the desire, expectation or experience of receiving praise, rewards, recognition, promotion or financial gain, to name a few. But what happens if these diminish over time, are promised but never received, offered but never achieved, or were non-existent in the first place?
Relying solely on extrinsic motivation can sometimes leave a person deflated or floundering in ambivalence or stagnation if the motivational benefits are perceived as, or found to be, unrealized, unachievable or insufficient or are, in fact, non-existent.
So where do we find the motivation to take the next step, move forward or change when somewhere down deep, we have a pretty good idea that it would be in our best interests or the best interests of those we serve?
Or how can we stop straddling opposing positions that leave us in a do-nothing state?
The answer most likely can be found by connecting to intrinsic motivation - that which is personally important, aligns with personal values, interests, and giftedness and is personally satisfying. It can provide the internal stimulus to move forward or embrace change, leading to growth, improved performance, and goal attainment.
We can uncover our intrinsic motivation by identifying the "why" or purpose behind our efforts that make them meaningful and by gaining an understanding of the significance of our roles or actions, however great or small. And when our roles or activities align with essential values/interests and, hopefully, our natural giftedness, we are more likely to derive personal satisfaction from our efforts, leading to more purposeful, productive, and fulfilling work experiences, careers, and lives.
However, even when we understand, acknowledge and accept the existence of our intrinsic motivation and its importance, there remains a pivotal decision to be made. According to J.P. Morgan, financier, investment banker and founder of J.P. Morgan and Co.,
"The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you're not going to stay where you are."
Here are some questions to ponder to help you make this decision.
- When considering your best interests or the best interests of those you serve, what arguments can you make for moving forward or embracing change?
- What arguments can you make for the status quo not being in your best interests or the best interests of those you serve?
- What is the upside of moving forward or embracing change?
- What is the downside of maintaining the status quo?
- How strong is your belief in yourself and your ability to move forward or embrace change?
- How willing (ready) are you to move forward or embrace change?
While you can probably identify the extrinsic benefits of moving forward or changing, I believe that it will be the intrinsic motivational factors that will most likely tip the scales in the right direction. And by connecting with your intrinsic motivation, there is a greater likelihood of your belief in yourself, your abilities, and your readiness to move ahead.
And if you find it challenging to identify your intrinsic motivation or difficult to answer these questions, or if your belief in yourself and your abilities is lacking, please consider coaching. You might be pleasantly surprised at what you can learn from yourself, about yourself and what you can accomplish with a bit of help.