Do you often feel that your motivation level varies from one day to another? Do you wonder how to sustain your motivation?
A coffee conversation with a friend after a long time and we were talking about work and life in general. She had been working and advancing well in her organization in the past two decades. I had switched different roles and careers based on lifestyle needs and geographical relocations. We always had lots to share as we saw life from different lenses.
Talking about Motivation
Her: “So, what’s your source of motivation? How do you get the energy to keep at it?”
Me: Tell me about you! You are always so full of life!
Her: “Let me be honest, many days are intense activity, and some are not. I love my job; I am lucky that way. And when I feel low, I check my investments and balance sheets and that gives me a sense of satisfaction too. And then I plan the next luxury vacation I can afford.” 😊
Her: “What about you? What are your key motivators? What makes you feel like getting up and engaging with life?“
Her question got me thinking about what motivates people to get up and engage in their life and work? Different things motivate different people.
I couldn’t work in her job, and she clearly wouldn’t enjoy mine. This thought led me to recall an old anecdote that follows next.
Anecdotal Interview
About three decades ago, I was in an interview with a doctorate in History, Harappan Culture to be precise. I was being interviewed for a writing role. To be honest, he did most of the talking. I have always been a good listener. And I got through the interview for being a good listener and scoring very well in the written test as a fresher!! One thing he stated was, “If a person was dying or suffering deeply, I would move very fast to save him.” To me that was a statement that reflected his deeper values and motivation. It answered my question of what makes you feel like getting up and engaging with life.
In the early years, I heard and believed motivation in work was a lot was about money and the designation.
Over years, I have learned that money is a good motivator for many in the initial phase of committing to a role, assignment or career. However, with time this lure of only money can fade, and other motivators surface strongly. Sometimes the very money that lures initially can enslave later.
To be balanced, money is essential for a comfortable living. But there are other motivators too that we often need to balance life and work.
What are the key motivators of your life? Are you aware of these? Have you thought through them?
What do you do on days when you feel low in energy and motivation?
Some tips that helped me sustain motivation follow.
The trick is to use them in a balanced way.
Tip 1: Accept the low motivation days too. Don’t kick yourself. Maybe what you need is to simply rest. This is helpful and needed.
Tip 2: Have you observed your high motivation days? What exactly fuels your energy? Observe yourself, note it down. Pin it up and get yourself back when you are demotivated.
Tips 3: Try adding novelty and creativity to your life often. Being in a rut, can make even the liveliest person exceptionally dull and demotivated.
Tip 4: Nurture the child within. You can do this by playing with your pet, young children, or engaging in any sport in a non-competitive way, just to learn and have fun.
Tip 5: Measure and celebrate small steps and knock off comparisons that don’t have perspective. Most comparisons are misplaced as we each have a unique biography that makes us who we are.
Tip 6: Preserve and conserve your energy. Meet people who fuel your ideas, encourage and share inputs to help you grow. Commit to doing the same for others. Notice the energy exchange with friends and family. Distance the ones who leave you feeling dissipated or try to create a psychological armor that protects your spirit.
I use a combination of the above and more in my work.
Did you find some useful tips in this blog?
Try another blog which we curated while taking a walk through a biodiversity park. Are You Hiding Your Strengths?
If you oscillate between high and low motivation days, you may also enjoy our tips on Staying consistent. 3-Steps for Success Through Consistency
Let us know what you think of the blog. We would love to hear from you. You can connect with us http://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-srividya
