Understanding Motivation as a Driving Force

My dream has always been to start my own restaurant, but it always remains that: a dream. My parents say I haven’t yet achieved it because of my lack of motivation, but I honestly don’t know how to deal with that. Even when I do feel extremely hyped about finally opening the doors to a restaurant, I end up losing focus and end up back at square one. There have honestly been times when I have everything I need to kick my dream into gear and, for no reason whatsoever, I end up achieving nothing. Is motivation really what I’ve been missing? How can something I don’t even recognize help me take things to the next level?

The word motivation gets thrown around regularly. We’re often told it’s what will “keep you going”, what will “drive you to success” and what will inevitably help us “achieve everything you want.” However, we’re never really taught how to fully understand motivation or how to properly and successfully find the motivation we require.

Motivation is hard to sustain over time and no two individuals are motivated alike. Click To Tweet

Motivation is hard to sustain over time and no two individuals are motivated alike or by the same things. At Rice Psychology Group, we fully understand this, which is why we’re prepared to offer some insight into motivation and its ability to keep us moving forward.

Finding the motivation to achieve your goals can be difficult, but with a bit of hard work, you can discover the drive you need.

The Difference

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to find it extremely easy to pursue their goals while others tend to quit? The difference is the motivation that drives each person. To better understand this, let’s take a look at the two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation occurs when a person engages in an activity because it’s personally rewarding and not for the need of an external reward; much like playing a sport simply because you enjoy the activity. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, occurs when a person is motivated to perform to earn a reward, much like an individual playing a sport to win trophies.

In many studies, such as Motivation and Productivity in the Workplace conducted by Carla Valencia, intrinsic motivation has been shown to be more sustainable than extrinsic motivation. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean rewards don’t work. In fact, external rewards can:

• Induce interest and participation
• Motivate individuals to acquire new skills and knowledge, which can then lead to becoming more intrinsically motivated
• Allow individuals to recognize when their performance has achieved a deserving standard

It’s important to remember that motivation is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. Click To Tweet

Staying Motivated

It’s important to remember that motivation is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. That is to say, the drive that keeps some of your friends or family going can be greatly different than the one you connect with. One thing you may find very helpful is establishing your motivation based on clear goals and priorities. Once you’ve done this, you can use the following tips to help sustain your motivation:

• Write It Down – When you set a goal for yourself, put it in writing. This will ensure that you’ll be reminded and held accountable for it.
• No Distractions – A cluttered mind can be extremely distracting and demotivating. When you find yourself running in circles, take a moment to breathe, think and remember your priorities.
• Know the Obstacles – Recognize the obstacles that can arise as you make your way towards your goals. This will help you decide how to deal with them without losing your motivation.
• Be Positive – Positive self-talk and doing things that make you happy will help you feel more energized and motivated. This will also help you bounce back towards motivation if you ever find yourself in a rough patch.
• Reward Yourself – A small reward every now and then will help you feel happy, valued and motivated.

Positive self-talk and doing things that make you happy will help you feel more motivated. Click To Tweet

Rice Psychology Group Can Help

At Rice Psychology Group, we understand how difficult it can be for you or your loved ones to find the drive that can help you achieve your goals. However, remember that this issue can be minimized with hard work and the help of our psychologists.

Our Tampa-based team is ready to listen to your concerns and help you find the solution that will finally give way to the motivation you need. You are our biggest priority, so don’t hesitate to contact us in Tampa if you have any questions about our services or if you’re ready to schedule an appointment.