Motivation ABC

Finding your Personal Motivation Strategy

Whatever it is you hope to achieve in your life you will be need to identify some kind of motivation to get you started and keep your momentum going until you achieve your goal. Once youve identified this, you will be able to create your personal motivation strategy.

Anyone starting off on a project that they are excited about will have no problem finding energy and enthusiasm for it. At this point the motivation strategy needs to concentrate mainly on keeping this enthusiasm under control so that you dont start to burn out too early in the timeline of your project!

Think about your project in terms of a timeline. What are the notable midway points along the timeline between the start and end of the project? These are your short-term goals, and identifying these on your timeline will help you to make a motivation strategy. Dont rush ahead along the timeline, no matter how tempted you are to do so. Instead use the timeline to pace yourself at a steady work rate.

Once you get towards the end of the project and you are so close to achieving your goal that you can almost taste it, then the enthusiasm and energy for the project increases and motivation isnt a problem. The sheer adrenalin of being so close to completion is a motivator in itself.

Unfortunately before you get to that near-finish situation, you must get through the middle section of the project, and this is the hardest to find motivation for. Its here that many non-essential projects go awry as the initial enthusiasm is now depleted, and although the project/goal is still desired, theres less energy for it now, and the end is a long way off.

In many people, one of the main problems affecting motivation is in the length of time it takes to get a project completed. One good way of counteracting this is to use these short-term goals as an integral part of your motivation strategy. Rather than just list the short-term goals on the timeline, use each short-term goal as a step along the timeline so that you then divide each short-term goal into identifiable sections. This means that you can quantify your progress. Charting your progress visually assures you that although you havent yet reached your main goal, you are working in the right direction and you are accomplishing things along the way.

If visual assurance isnt a big enough motivator, use rewards within your motivation strategy. Again using the short-term goals on your project timeline identify some treats that you can use as a reward to accomplishing each of these. The rewards dont need to be expensive, but something as simple as having a favorite cup of coffee at your local coffee shop, walk in the country, buying a new CD or any other reward that makes the completion of each goal. You could even have a list of rewards or increase the value of the rewards as the project progresses. You could have small (coffee shop) type rewards for the little goals that make up a small goal, and then have a larger reward (perhaps a meal at a restaurant, go see a movie or a small retail therapy session) for accomplishing each of the small goals along your timeline.

The important thing in creating a motivation strategy is that you tailor it to what will work for you. You know what motivates you, you also know what stops your motivation and so you need to factor into your motivation strategy a plan for what you will do to kick-start your motivation if you find that you feel you no longer have much or any enthusiasm for the project.

To accomplish any project/dream/goal is a big achievement and thats because its not something that can be done with no effort. However, by putting some motivation strategies in place before you start your project, you will have a greater chance of succeeding and achieving your goal.

Motivation Psychology Theories of Motivation

In the school of motivation psychology, there are five major distinct theories of motivation instinct theory, drive reduction theory, arousal theory, psychoanalytic theory, and humanistic theory. These theories explain where the drive of motivation comes from in raw, psychological terms. Another useful tool in motivation psychology is the Hierarchy of Needs. This is a list of basic needs that every human strives for. Each need must be obtained in sequential order for the human to be successful.

Instinct Theory

The first motivation psychology theory is instinct. This theory describes the biological innate knowledge of how to do something, and the drive to perform the act in order to survive. An example of instinct theory is a spider having the knowledge and instinct to create a web to catch prey, a bird using twigs and stray materials to build a nest, and reproduction. This motivation is in the person or animals genes and are not learned behavior. We simply know we need to do something to survive, and the motivation to do it follows.

Drive Reduction Theory

This theory of motivation psychology involves quieting a rising drive within. When the drive, or need, to do something is great enough, you want to perform an activity to reduce the drive and return to normalcy. An example of this theory is hunger. When hunger grows great enough, you are motivated to eat to calm the drive.

Arousal Theory

Arousal theory is the theory of motivation psychology that refers to physical, intellectual, and emotional activity. While the drive reduction theory urges you to calm a rising drive, the arousal theory urges you to maintain a balanced amount of comfort. Examples of this theory are the urges to learn, watch emotional movies, or go for a walk.

Psychoanalytic Theory

This theory of motivation psychology describes motivation in terms of survival and well-being. Individuals are driven by the need to survive and stay safe. Examples of this theory are motivation to save money, drive a safe car, and secure your home.

Humanistic Theory

This theory is usually the most well-known theory of motivation psychology. Individuals are motivated to achieve maximum potential, and will do so unless obstacles keep them from doing so. Obstacles may include safety issues, money, or hunger. This theory of motivation psychology is sometimes referred to as the Hierarchy of Needs (see below).

Hierarchy of Needs

The Hierarchy of Needs is perhaps the most simplistic explanation of human motivation psychology. This theory outlines the five basic human needs, and states that each level must be obtained in order from simple to complex. The most basic need is physiological needs. This includes items needed for physical human survival, such as food, water, shelter, and oxygen. The second need is safety and security. The need to feel secure and be secure is an important part of motivation psychology. The third need is love, acceptance, and belonging. The need to feel love and be part of a group is a basic human need. The fourth need is esteem. This includes the need to achieve, learn, and gain the respect of others. The fifth, and last, need is the need to realize your fullest potential, or self actualization. This model was developed by Abraham Maslow in the 1943. According to Maslows rules, the first level, physiological needs, must be obtained before the individual can achieve the second need, safety and security. This standard continues throughout the five needs. The Hierarchy of Needs is often illustrated as a pyramid, with the first basic need at the bottom, and the fifth need at the top. This pyramid is a well-recognized and widely used tool in motivation psychology.