Motivation is a complex psychological concept that refers to the driving force or energy that compels individuals to take action, set and achieve goals, and pursue desired outcomes. It is the internal or external stimulus that prompts individuals to engage in specific behaviours, make choices, and persist in their efforts to accomplish tasks or overcome challenges.
Motivation involves a combination of factors, including personal desires, needs, values, and external influences. It plays a crucial role in determining the direction, intensity, and persistence of an individual's behaviour and how they act, react and think. Motivation can be intrinsic, arising from within a person's own desires and interests, or extrinsic, driven by external rewards or consequences.
"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." — E.E. Cummings
In motivational coaching I use the coaching process to help tap into unrealised potential and energy and optimise motivation to move the client through meaningful change. During the coaching process we can also look at what intrinsic or extrinsic factors might lessen motivation for the individual and try to overcome any obstacles to creating a strong flow of motivational energy.
Various theories of motivation exist, each offering insights into the factors that influence human behaviour. Some of the prominent motivational theories include Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which suggests that individuals are motivated by a hierarchy of needs ranging from basic physiological needs to higher-level psychological needs; and the Expectancy-Value Theory, which posits that motivation is influenced by the expectation of success and the perceived value or importance of a task or goal.
"Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time." — Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Experience in coaching thousands of people across a couple of decades has shown me that motivation is complex and people come from diverse cultural backgrounds, experiences and context which influence motivational dynamics. Motivation looks different for everyone but there are some common approaches in coaching that can help to increase ones motivation explore them to find what techniques work best for you.
"To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try." — Rosa Parks
Here's 12 motivational coaching approaches for increasing your drive:
The Power of Setting Goals: Explore the importance of setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Having clear objectives can provide direction and motivation. Try starting with a one year vision of where you want to be and work back to a plan of how you will get there, finally drilling down to SMART goals.
Understanding Your Why: Knowing why you do what you do can go a long way in keeping your motivation levels up. Your why is what you do and why you do it. Ask yourself what gives me the energy to get out of bed each day and what is most satisfying about my work?
Inspiring Success Stories: Explore real-life success stories of individuals who overcame challenges and achieved their goals. Mine the lessons learned and the motivational aspects of their journeys.
Mindset Matters: Mindset plays an important role in motivation. Explore the concepts of a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset and try to cultivate a positive and resilient outlook.
Building Habits for Success: Examine the role of habits in achieving long-term success. Discover personal insights into habit formation, breaking bad habits, and cultivating positive routines that connect with your goals and higher purpose.
The Role of Passion in Motivation: Explore how pursuing passions and aligning activities with personal interests can significantly increase motivation. Discover your passions by understanding your values and the things that bring you the most pleasure.
Embracing Failure as a Stepping Stone: Understand the relationship between failure and success. Explore stories of well-known personalities who faced setbacks but used them as stepping stones toward achieving greatness.
The Impact of Positive Affirmations: Explore the power of positive affirmations in boosting motivation and self-confidence. Develop your own affirmation and incorporate it into daily routines. "You've got this!"
Mindfulness and Motivation: Begin a mindfulness practice to enhancing motivation. Explore techniques such as meditation and mindful breathing to help stay focused and motivated.
Balancing Work and Life: Understand the importance of work-life balance in maintaining motivation. Optimise time management, setting boundaries, and finding ways to recharge outside of work.
Motivation in the Face of Adversity: Explore how to stay motivated during challenging times. Highlight strategies for resilience, coping mechanisms, and maintaining a positive outlook in the face of adversity can help you navigate unexpected difficulty.
The Impact of a Supportive Community: Find a supportive social network to help with maintaining motivation. Surround yourself with positive and like-minded individuals.
Ultimately, motivation is a dynamic and individualised aspect of human psychology, influencing how people approach challenges, make decisions, and strive for personal and professional fulfilment. To find out more about motivational coaching book in a free introductory call with Marion via the online booking system.
"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage." — Anaïs Nin
