You Are Motivated By…

Could you answer that question?  You are motivated by…?

Money?  Not likely money alone, could definitely be an image of something you want badly that money could buy.

To get a promotion?  Really…isn’t it more about the way those you work with will look at you — OR — the control you will have to call your own shots? 

You can learn a great deal about yourself, where you are in life and why you haven’t been able to reach the next level by asking (and answering) the question…what motivates you? 

Don’t just stop at the first answer, instead dig deep for the emotional attachment linked to that desire that motivates you.  Know exactly what IT is that motivates you and WHY. 

As far back as I can remember I have always been internally motivated…getting a “good job” from my boss was nice, but I always knew that as long as my income, career, creativity and energy was in someone else’s hands, there’s nothing motivating about that. 

Seth Godin’s recent blog post Dependency on External Motivation makes the argument that extrinsic motivation is becoming less and less common in today’s society and workforce. 

Point taken, when we mainly become agents for ourselves rather than agents for one particular company, external motivation is less likely to occur. Although, one could argue that IF you have your objectives clear (for example that helping people, answering questions, spurring dialog and creativity), then you can still use some external factors as reason for motivation.

If you help someone on Twitter with an answer to a pressing challenge, then you have not only progressed your cause online, but you most likely will get a thank you from the person you helped. 

But, as has always been the case, intrinsic motivation stemming from your own purpose, passion and focus is far more important as a motivator than any external feedback. 

What do you think?