Cognitive Motivation Part 1

By guest writer, coach Barry Lee.

You can contact Barry by email at communitymotivators@googlemail.com.

What is ‘motivation’? What do we mean when we say ‘we can’t get motivated’? Although there are many different definitions of the word ‘motivation’, it can simply be defined as that something which propels us to take continued action towards a specific goal. 

Goals will be discussed, more in depth, in a later section but, for now, goals can be considered as things/needs that we want to fulfil.  A simple goal is to get food because we are hungry. 

Have you ever attended a motivational workshop, been fired up but lose your enthusiasm soon after? 

Motivation can be compared to a fire that burns within.  It may be a small fire or a blazing inferno. 

I don’t want students to attend a ‘Motivation Course’ and try to feel my fire – only to have it cool when they leave my presence.  I want them to feel their own fire – whether it is large or small – and to feel it continually.  I want them to leave my workshops knowing how to start their fire, how to fan the flames and know how to re-start it when they feel their fire going out. 

Did you know that there is no such thing as ‘Negative Motivation’?  Every time that you are motivated, you are feeling positive emotions.  These feelings will help you to achieve your goals and/or meet your needs.  Your goals can be positive or negative, good or bad, but your motivation is always positive. 

Only a lack of motivation – or apathy – will prevent you from achieving your goals.  Your apathy could be said to be either a cause of, or result of, negative feelings.  Feelings are further discussed in the section ‘Factors affecting out Motivation’. 

Have you considered that motivation can be divided into Internal or External Motivation? 

INTERNAL / EXTERNAL MOTIVATION 

‘Internal Motivation’ is used to describe the motivation that comes from within – self motivation.  This is the more powerful of the two – it means that you are truly determined to achieve something.  Another term is ‘attitude’ or ‘achievement’ motivation. 

 Motivation                      --------------------->               Something

‘External Motivation’ is the motivation that comes from outside sources.  It could be that your boss has told you to do something – and you are totally swamped with other duties.   

External Motivation can be further divided into Fear and Reward Motivation. 

Fear Motivation - represents ‘avoidance’ as in being motivated to do something to avoid a negative reaction.  [If you don’t do the report, you could lose your job, pay or privileges.] 

Fear/Negativity                --------------------->               Motivation

Reward Motivation – if you achieve these targets you will receive an extra amount in pay. 

What is the main difference between internal and external motivation? 

Choice – you decide what is more important to you. 

How can we represent Motivation? 

Motivation can be represented in different ways:
 

1.     Straight line graph – never deviating.
You stay at the same level of motivation over a long period of time.  Your motivation may be either high or low. 

2.     Bell Curve.
Your motivation can start low and then build quickly over a period of time.  You may have chosen to do something.  The low motivation levels could be because of external motivation – someone has told you to do something – and the highs could be because of internal motivation – you have made the choice to do it. 

Motivation can be affected by YOUR 

·         Feelings 

·         Needs 

·         Beliefs 

·         Values
 

These items are all discussed separately.  Feelings and Needs form the basis of Non-Violent Language and Beliefs/Values are discussed using Neuro-Linguistic Programming.  These items are covered in the MEA programme – which is the first stage in the “HOW TO MAKE A FRESH START” course. 

Now read Factors Affecting Motivation - the next part of the series (available from Fri 4 Dec)