Imagine waking up full of energy and enthusiasm for the day ahead. Imagine feeling truly driven to take massive action and get stuff done. Well guess what, many people do feel that way! But my guess is that you don't. Why? Because you're reading this article! The answer for you may well lie in understanding "if then" motivation, why everyone uses it, and why it doesn't really work.
"If then" rewards and punishments are simple to understand. If something happens, then something else happens as a result. For example, if you don't go to school, then your parents will ground you. If you help clean the backyard, then your parents will end the grounding. Makes sense doesn't it? There are punishments for "bad" behavior and "rewards" for good behavior. It's motivation 101!
"If then" establishes clear rewards or punishments for action or inaction. However, it also has a tendency to create less than desirable outcomes. How so you may ask? Well, if you only do things because you know you will be either rewarded or punished, what happens where there is no reward or punishment? Aren't you simply responding to external danger or pleasure rather than to your internal calling?
"If then" also has a tendency to promote harmful behavior. Behavior such as seeking only to achieve the objectives set out without worrying about how it will be achieved or how that may impact others (for example, you may need to cheat or lie to achieve the outcome), or taking action only based on being rewarded or punished with bigger and bigger items each time (which creates a loop of rewards or punishments that can't be sustained).
Motivation is not about manipulating behavior. Motivation is something that comes from within and dictates your entire way of being. If you feel compelled to act and then you do act - you are motivated. If you think you "should" act, you are not motivated. Something is missing.
Behavioural scientists Harry Harlow and Edward Deci identified the true formula for motivation. They found that the motivation formula is = Autonomy + Mastery + Purpose.
If you want to feel motivated and achieve great things each day you need to create an environment for yourself where motivation can exist. You need to create a life of autonomy, mastery and purpose. You do this by taking charge of your life, by making life happen, by not allowing others to tell you how to spend your life. This is autonomy. Do you do it? You need to pursue knowledge, to expand your abilities, to become better and better at something you love. This is mastery. Do you do that? You need to spend your time in pursuit of something greater than your basic needs, you need to follow your heart. This is purpose. Do you do this?
If you honestly and objectively look at the three elements that create motivation and assess how closely they align with your life, it may become quite clear why you don't feel motivated. If you aren't in control, if you're not taking charge, if you're spending your time doing things that don't inspire you, if you're not learning and expanding your capabilities and improving yourself each day - you simply won't feel motivated. It's not possible. It breaks every rule of motivation. So honestly assess where your life is and you will find your answer. Good luck!
"If then" rewards and punishments are simple to understand. If something happens, then something else happens as a result. For example, if you don't go to school, then your parents will ground you. If you help clean the backyard, then your parents will end the grounding. Makes sense doesn't it? There are punishments for "bad" behavior and "rewards" for good behavior. It's motivation 101!
"If then" establishes clear rewards or punishments for action or inaction. However, it also has a tendency to create less than desirable outcomes. How so you may ask? Well, if you only do things because you know you will be either rewarded or punished, what happens where there is no reward or punishment? Aren't you simply responding to external danger or pleasure rather than to your internal calling?
"If then" also has a tendency to promote harmful behavior. Behavior such as seeking only to achieve the objectives set out without worrying about how it will be achieved or how that may impact others (for example, you may need to cheat or lie to achieve the outcome), or taking action only based on being rewarded or punished with bigger and bigger items each time (which creates a loop of rewards or punishments that can't be sustained).
Motivation is not about manipulating behavior. Motivation is something that comes from within and dictates your entire way of being. If you feel compelled to act and then you do act - you are motivated. If you think you "should" act, you are not motivated. Something is missing.
Behavioural scientists Harry Harlow and Edward Deci identified the true formula for motivation. They found that the motivation formula is = Autonomy + Mastery + Purpose.
If you want to feel motivated and achieve great things each day you need to create an environment for yourself where motivation can exist. You need to create a life of autonomy, mastery and purpose. You do this by taking charge of your life, by making life happen, by not allowing others to tell you how to spend your life. This is autonomy. Do you do it? You need to pursue knowledge, to expand your abilities, to become better and better at something you love. This is mastery. Do you do that? You need to spend your time in pursuit of something greater than your basic needs, you need to follow your heart. This is purpose. Do you do this?
If you honestly and objectively look at the three elements that create motivation and assess how closely they align with your life, it may become quite clear why you don't feel motivated. If you aren't in control, if you're not taking charge, if you're spending your time doing things that don't inspire you, if you're not learning and expanding your capabilities and improving yourself each day - you simply won't feel motivated. It's not possible. It breaks every rule of motivation. So honestly assess where your life is and you will find your answer. Good luck!
About the Author:
HelpMeToStudy.org is the number one resource for learning new study skills, changing your study habits and discovering the best studying tips available. We will help you change the way you think about study - and even better - we will show you how to study effectively: How To Study Effectively | Motivate Me To Study
No comments:
Post a Comment