Motivation is a driving force that propels us to take action and pursue our goals. But what exactly is motivation, and how can we tap into its power to achieve our aspirations?
In this blog post, we'll take a deep dive into the concept of motivation, exploring the importance of self-concordance and its impact on our overall well-being and success.
Defining Motivation
Motivation can be defined as the drive or reason that prompts a person to act in a certain way or to pursue particular goals. It's the fuel that ignites our ambitions and keeps us moving forward, even in the face of challenges and obstacles.
The Role of Self-Concordance
At the heart of motivation lies the concept of self-concordance, which refers to the alignment between a person's goals and their authentic interests, values, and identity. Self-concordance plays a crucial role in determining the level and quality of our motivation.
Low vs. High Levels of Self-Concordance:
Low Level of Self-Concordance:
External Motivation: You pursue goals solely to obtain rewards, praise, or approval, or to avoid negative consequences. These goals do not align with your true desires.
Introjected Motivation: You strive for goals because you feel you "ought" to, driven by a sense of shame, guilt, or anxiety if you don't. These goals are not genuinely your own.
Goals pursued with low self-concordance often fail to contribute to your overall well-being and may even undermine it.
High Level of Self-Concordance:
Identified Motivation (Value-Based): Your goals are driven by personal values that resonate with your authentic self.
Intrinsic Motivation: You pursue goals simply because you find the experience itself interesting and enjoyable, aligning with your innate desires and passions.
Goals pursued with high self-concordance lead to the highest levels of well-being, fulfillment, and sustained motivation.
Aligning Motivation and Goals
When setting goals, it's essential to ask yourself: What's the main reason for pursuing this goal?Â
Is it external, introjected, identified, or intrinsic?Â
By identifying the underlying motivation behind your goals, you can gauge the strength and sustainability of your motivation to achieve them.
Goals aligned with your authentic interests, values, and identity (identified and intrinsic motivation) are more likely to provide a robust and enduring source of motivation, propelling you forward with enthusiasm and commitment.
Conversely, goals driven by external or introjected motivations may initially provide a sense of motivation, but this motivation is often short-lived and can lead to burnout, disengagement, and a lack of fulfillment.
Unlocking Your True Potential
Recognizing the power of self-concordance and aligning your goals with your authentic self is the key to unlocking your true potential and achieving sustainable success.
By pursuing goals that resonate with your values and passions, you'll tap into an inexhaustible well of motivation, fueling your journey towards personal growth and fulfillment.
Want to Learn More?
If you're interested in delving deeper into the topic of motivation and learning how to align your goals with your authentic self, consider exploring my new course, "Chaos to Clarity: How to Get Your Sh*t Together." This comprehensive self-paced course will provide you with insights, strategies, and tools to harness the power of motivation and achieve lasting success on your terms.