Motivation
"Ability is what you're capable of doing.
Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it."
by Lou Holtz
I often talk about core values and beliefs. These are the basis on which we live our lives. They can be out-dated and not necessarily in service to your current circumstances.
Our values and beliefs are core to the motivations of behaviour change and habit formation. Understanding and living these authentically in live with cultivate long, lasting and positively framed changes.
Key to this understanding is to determine whether you are intrinsically or extrinsically motivated. Why we do the things we do? What is it that drives our behaviours?
Intrinsic motivation is to do something for the simple joy of it or to bring personally fulfillment through the behaviour itself.
Extrinsic motivation refers to those who are motivated to engage in activity or behaviour for reward or to avoid punishment. This isn’t for the pure enjoyment but to gain or avoid something.
Both types are important, and each has a different effect on behaviours and how people pursue goals. Intrinsically motivated people are more likely to have more joy and enjoyment in the behaviours and activities with an internal focus on fulfillment.
Used as a tool, extrinsic motivators could be used to have people complete a task that they have no internal interest in completing,
Rewards, when properly directed, can motivate high performance, creativity and behaviour change. An example, financial bonus or reward for reaching targets at work. Treats for effort or success.
Researchers have suggested that individuals primarily motivated by extrinsic factors don't develop an inherent motivation for tasks, meaning they are driven for reward not because of the positive's of the task itself.
So whilst extrinsic motivating factors can be enticing for activities we would rather not do, it is believed better to find ourselves intrinsically motivated as we experience more joy, fulfillment and reinforce the positive behaviour changes.
To foster intrinsic motivation ;
Create more opportunity for enjoyment within the behaviour we want to change.
Foster feelings of accomplishment and even journal these.
Ensure changes are small, continual and improvement focus
Structure/ Map out when and where you can practice changes
Repetition, repetition, repetition- create a sense of mastery
When we experience obstacles in our lives, there are times when an objective person can pose the questions that shine a light on the dark aspects of self. Exploring these, identifying, mapping out a plan can assist you in moving forward.
Coaching workshops to be rolled out in 2019!
Watch this space!
Hearing something, Understanding something and doing something are all different.
Amanda x
ivity and behaviour change.