The Fundamentals Of Motivation Theory

Author:

Jul 11

Most personal development teachers will agree that motivation plays a big role in your ability to achieve anything. Today I’m here to offer a different opinion. I believe motivation as significant as it is insignificant if you are willing to accept such a cryptic statement. This article will look at the essence of motivation and outline some of the ways it can help or hinder the progress towards your goals.

If you think motivation is the key to success you are wrong. Firstly what exactly is this thing called motivation? Different people define motivation in different ways but for the purposes of this article here’s what I think.

Most people define motivation as an ability to take action. To these people motivation is a state of mind, it’s a feeling. In other words it’s a mental construct, it comes from your brain.

My problem with this is that as a state of mind, it is subject to continual change. You know what I mean right? For most people motivation comes and goes. Some days you are motivated and some times you feel lazy. In other words, motivation never lasts! If as many success experts teach, your level of achievement rests on your ability to ‘motivate yourself’ we are all in a lot of trouble!

Most people in this frame of mind talk about motivation as coming from a desire to achieve a certain goal. As psychologists would tell us, motivation can be intrinsic, arising from a desire we hold within, or external, when we are motivated by some external influence like a coach or a deadline. Again whether it be internal or external, these factors are subject to change: our desires fluctuate like the changing tide and external factors are in also in perpetual motion, increasing and decreasing in their effect on us.

In my mind I believe the motivation that we need is something very different.

I believe that to be ultimately successful we have to be driven forward by things that are eternal. We have to have as our motivation, underlying principles, thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values and goals that will never change. By being motivated this way, we can retain the sense that we must continually take action regardless of how internal or external circumstances change.

So what factors of our lives have this level of consistency?

While there are many, the main one is your purpose. Your life purpose, whatever it is you’re here on this earth to do, and your innate need to fulfill that is the most powerfully motivating force you can experience. When your action each day is inspired by a desire to fulfill that which is the essence of your existence on this planet will push you farther than any emotional or physical external influence. What else?

Your values!

The things you value as a person are far more concrete than fluctuating impulses of desire that you experience daily. Your values contribute to who you are and once developed and clarified, create a code of conduct for your life that you will be very reluctant to violate. The urge to live these values and be congruent with that you value and believe also represents a powerful source of motivation.

While there is more, I intended this article to be merely a sample of some of the sources of motivation that are truly compelling. With a deeper level of introspection and a greater clarity of who you are you can experience a profound sense of motivation that can guarantee continual action and progress through all the seasons of your life’s journey.

Andrew Hansen is an entrepreneur, author and personal development trainer. He runs a website dedicated to personal growth that provides tips, information and advice on attaining the level of success that you’re worthy of in all areas of your life. For more information on motivation theory please see motivation theory.
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Goal Setting

Author: Robbie

Apr 3

We have all read the articles and books about Success or Wealth building strategies, and each one includes the importance of setting goals.

I believe how you make these goals is just as important, as the actual goals themselves.

I have studied the greats in the area of personal achievement and what each of them has to say in the area of successful goal setting and goal achieving. I have taken the best pieces from each one, and I developed the most successful goal setting process that I have ever used.

With this plan I went from being financially broke, renting an apartment, and having credit card debt. To buying a new apartment, traveling to California, Malta, Athens, London and Thailand, buying a new car, having no credit card debt, and almost doubling my salary.

A vital part of this process is that you are in a positive frame of mind when completing it. You cannot be tired or feeling anything less than 100% enthusiastic and positive. Go somewhere that you will be undisturbed for at least 40 minutes. If you want to play your favourite music quietly in the background go ahead. You should be in a positive mood, full of energy and ready to create your exciting future.

When I had my Goal setting plan designed, I went to the local book store and I purchased a small Moleskine notebook and I used my favourite Mont Blanc pen.

I figured if I was going to have a good plan, I was going to use a good notebook and a good pen.

1. Success Inventory of the past.

Think back over the past 5 years and think of your 5 biggest accomplishments.

You will be pleasantly surprised at what you find, the wonderful places that you have visited, the great threats you have purchased, the books that you have read and your career accomplishments. So, go ahead and write down your top five accomplishments.

I think this is a great exercise to write down what you have already achieved in the past, we have all heard the sayings “If I did it before, I can do it again,” or “If I can do it, you can do it”. The power of taking a success inventory of the past is a powerful uplifting exercise, as it gives you real tangible evidence of what is possible.

2. If you could achieve anything.

If you could achieve anything that you wanted over the next 10 years what top 50 things would you pick?

Let your mind wander here, use what is called ” the magic of thinking big”. What kind of car would you drive? Would you like to own an apartment in the sun? What countries would you like to visit? What people would you like to meet? Maybe you would have no credit card debts, or what bank balance would you like to have? What position would you have in a company, or maybe it is your company? What salary would you have? What kind of relationship would you have with your family, or with your partner? What plays, concerts or galleries would you go to? What books would you read? Just keep writing down everything you want as if you could not fail, as if you were granted 50 wishes.

Try to write as fast as you can but do not stop until you have 50.

3. Time frame.

Beside each item write the time frame you would like to achieve it in 1,3,5, or 10 years.

4. Top Ten 1 year goals.

Next, write your top ten 1 year goals on a piece of paper. If you have not got at least ten 1 year goals, spend some more time until you do, truly believe that you are designing your best year ever.

Then pick your top four 1 year life changing goals that you want to achieve.

5. Why are the goals important to you?

Jim Rohn said “When the whys get stronger the hows get easier”.

Visualise each goal and get passionate about each one. Write a paragraph about each of your four 1 year goals and explain why you are totally committed to achieving each one.

6. You need to change.

“If you keep do the same things the same way, you will keep getting the same results”.

On a new page write down what kind of person you must become so that you will achieve all of your goals.

What new skills will you need, what books will you need to read? What friends will you have? What old habits will you stop, and what new habits will you start? In short, what person do you need to become to achieve everything that you want. The main reason for making goals is to invite you to become the person it takes to achieve them.

7. Take action.

Starting from today, not tomorrow! Take one action step towards achieving each of your goals.

You might want to check out a personal development course online, or buy a book, maybe you need to get the new BMW catalogue, or get a holiday brochure for Egypt, or maybe you will open up a new savings account. Whatever action step you can think of, just do it! Go for it. Take that first step today. Once you do, you will never forget it.

8. Remind yourself.

So many times people write down a set of goals only for them to be lost at the back of a drawer or in an old notebook a few days or weeks later.

I recommend that you:

•Write down your four 1 year goals and keep them with you in your wallet or purse.

•Read them first thing in the morning, and at the end of every week to see if you are taking enough active steps towards their successful completion. •Tell your closest friends about your goals.
•Use your journal to keep track of your progress and for any new ideas that you get.
•Have your four 1 year goals saved on your computer screen at home, and save them in your phone as a memo.
•You should celebrate the successful achievement of any of your goals.
• Once a goal is achieved you should go back to your original list and add a new 1 year goal to your list.

“Goals. There’s no telling what you can do when you get inspired by them. There’s no telling what you can do when you believe in them. And there’s no telling what will happen when you act upon them”. Jim Rohn

Get passionate, believe in yourself and enjoy

Damien

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About the Author:
My name is Damien Thomas. I live in Dublin, Ireland.
In the past I have worked in the Health and Fitness industry for 8 years, and in Retail for 9 years.
I have always had a passion for goal making, inspiring and motivating others and general personal improvement.
My goal was to put together a simple website so that visitors could browse through inspirational articles from authors from around the world.
I achieved this goal in March 2010.
The website is called: www.wealthandsuccess.ie
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