The question at hand is whether our motivation stems from external sources, like the encouraging words of family and friends about our work or studies, or if it arises from internal forces, such as personal satisfaction or the desire to contribute to a good cause.
A common misconception about motivation is that it serves as the spark for action. However, it can be an unreliable source; it may be present today but absent tomorrow. True progress is often achieved through sustained effort over the long term rather than fleeting bursts of motivation. If motivation is indeed short-lived and unreliable, we must seek alternative sources or reconsider our reliance on it.
Action, rather than motivation, is what fuels motivation. For instance, if you want to start blogging but find yourself lacking motivation, the question becomes: where do you find that motivation? Instead of searching for it, consider this: motivation may not be necessary. Focus on making the process of writing a blog as smooth as possible. Prepare your materials in advance and establish a simple, well-structured note-taking system to reduce the friction of starting.
In his book, The Motivation Myth, Jeff Haden states, "...Motivation is really a result." Begin with the first step, even if it’s not perfect. If you aim to adopt a healthier lifestyle, don’t get bogged down by the idea of achieving the perfect diet after watching countless videos or hitting the gym. Start with something simple, like eliminating one unhealthy habit, and then build from there. No one begins at perfection; if you did, where would you go from there?
Haden emphasizes that motivation isn’t something you possess; it’s something you cultivate through achieving small successes on the path to greater accomplishments. The road to significant success is often challenging. Earning money easily can be the hardest route, and achieving good health without effort is equally difficult. The easiest paths often lead to the toughest challenges, while the hardest paths are simply hard work.
To better understand motivation, we can explore Weiner's Achievement Motivation Model from 1974. This model explains how the way people attribute their successes or failures affects their motivation to achieve. Here’s a simplified summary:
Attribution → Emotion → Motivation
- Internal Attribution: "I succeeded because I'm smart" → Pride → Increased motivation
- External Attribution: "I succeeded because I was lucky" → Relief → Decreased motivation
- Stable Attribution: "I succeeded because I'm always good at this" → Confidence → Increased motivation
- Unstable Attribution: "I succeeded because I tried really hard this time" → Hope → Increased motivation
- Controllable Attribution: "I succeeded because I used a good strategy" → Sense of control → Increased motivation
- Uncontrollable Attribution: "I succeeded because I was lucky" → Sense of powerlessness → Decreased motivation
Weiner's Achievement Motivation Model is useful in various fields, such as education, psychology, and business, as it helps us understand how our beliefs about success and failure can influence our motivation and achievements.
References
J. Haden, The Motivation Myth. Portfolio, 2018.
Weiner, B. (1974). Achievement motivation and attribution theory. Morristown, NJ: General Learning Press.