intrinsic motivation — Blog

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." – Zig Ziglar

It’s hard to find an open treadmill at the health club this month. By February, the crowds will dissipate as motivation wanes and resolutions get replaced with busyness and daily distractions. It’s easy to start new things. The challenge is staying the course with discipline, focus and rigor required to get habits to stick for the long haul.

The science of motivation is complex, multidisciplinary and expansive. Psychological Factors that Guide Behavior outlines the three major components of motivation: activation, persistence and intensity. Activation is the decision to initiate a behavior. Persistence is the continued effort toward a goal. Intensity is the concentration and vigor that goes into pursuing a goal. Persistence and intensity are necessary to still be on the treadmill regularly in February, March, April and beyond.

Increasing work demands, family commitments and now the onset of the holiday season are all valid excuses why we don’t pay attention to our own development and passions. In our relentless efforts to keep others happy, pay the bills and do “more with less,” our days quickly become a series of transactions and checklists with little room for transformational living.

If we pursued our purpose with the rigor that we do our “to do” lists, we would be fulfilling our dreams and enjoying each day in the process of our own becoming. When we are personally fulfilled, we are increase our capacity to serve others and our ongoing commitments with sustained joy and vibrancy.

As the flight attendant says during the safety demonstration before taking off, “put on your own mask first before assisting others.” Good advice.