Motivation | A Load of Nonsense

At least in the way we’re conditioned to conceptualise it

Sorry, mate. Doesn’t quite work like that.

From a young age, I would hear variations of the following statements or questions:

1. I’m feeling so motivated right now! Let’s … [ insert ridiculous action here ]!

2. Yana, you don’t seem very motivated to … [ insert ridiculous action here ].

3. You should listen to/read/speak with … [ insert ‘motivational’ inspiration here ] for some motivation!

4. What motivates you, Yana?

5. When or where do you feel most motivated, Yana? How can we motivate you?

Oh God. Is it any wonder I (and others) are allergic to the concept?

Let me translate these for you, as I cringe inside.

• I’m feeling so motivated right now! Let’s … conquer the world. → I have the energy of a puppy in mud, let’s achieve everything right now!
• Yana, you don’t seem very motivated to … conquer the world. → Hey, there seems to be a decline in your puppy-like enthusiasm and energy for conquering the world.
• You should listen to/read/speak with … anyone who has successfully conquered the world. → Your motivation should come from external sources, clearly you’ve depleted your internal store.
• What motivates you, Yana? → What excites, enthuses and inspires you? And how can I manipulate this knowledge in order to elicit what I need from you?
• When or where do you feel most motivated, Yana? How can we motivate you? → What can we do in order to squeeze the last remaining embers of passion from your soul as a human?

Motivation is not something that lives in a day of the week or inspirational quote

I think it prudent for me to note a few points of clarification.

First, I support people with grand ambitions and consider myself to have wildly ambitious goals — there is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to “conquer” the world to make it better (done so ethically and with benevelont kindness, of course). Doing so, however, will involve a bit more than feeling motivated.

Second, I absolutely adore inspirational leaders, speakers, and writers. But this adoration is vested in more than harnessing a feeling of motivation; these are teachers from whom I learn and apply challenging lessons to propel myself forward (often, stumbling through pain and discomfort). If anything, these hard lessons would seemingly demotivate most.

Third, despite the look of sheer incredulity seizing my husband as I write this sentence, I enjoy positivity. Fine. I tolerate positivity. As a recovering skeptic and Daria addict (she’s my soul sister), I’ve learned the importance of embracing a positive mentality and outlook (mostly).

In other words, “motivation” is not synonymous with “ambition” or “inspiration”. Yet, many cannot and do not discern the difference, which is quite problematic. Please don’t misunderstand me, there is certainly a fascinating relationship between these three concepts, but they are certainly not one and the same.

What You May Think Motivation Is

I am very wary of broad, sweeping statements and generalisations. Let me preface this, then, by stating that the following characterisation of “motivation” is from a lifetime experience of others’ describing it or commenting on it; and also my previously held notions of what “motivation” means.

Motivation means will power → One powers through obstacles and challenges with perseverance and commitment; that it is a battle to be won.

Motivation means energy → One is motivated when there is sufficient energy, enthusiasm and positivity.

Motivation means positivity → Once cannot be or remain motivated without an infusion of positivity.

Motivation is a feeling → One feels motivated and, therefore, motivation (like any feeling) can rush and wane like a tidal force.

Motivation is internal → One becomes motivated from an internal desire or need.

Motivation is external → One becomes motivated through or by an external force (carrot and stick to reward desired behaviour).

These characterisations aren’t necessarily inaccurate, per se! Rather, if one thinks of motivation in such a manner, then the concept becomes a hindrance.

The Truth About Motivation

For someone attempting to achieve a goal, objective or to actualise a vision, then the aforementioned characterisation of motivation is problematic. If motivation relies on one’s feelings or will power or the stars aligning in orbit, then it’s bloody useless. To successfully achieve an objective, it’s paramount to have emotional stability and to separate one’s actions from one’s feelings; in other words, “I’m feeling really tired today, so I’ll just do it tomorrow” or “I don’t feel like it” does not propel one towards success. And no amount of motivation, internal or external, would change that if one cannot separate emotions from actions. More to the point, that our actions must precede our feelings. To wait for our feelings to catch up with our desires is a futile waste of time; do the thing, regardless of how you feel at the moment, and watch your feelings catch up instead. Don’t feel like going for a run? Fine. Do it anyway. Don’t feel like writing today? Fine. Do it anyway. Don’t feel like calling back your client? Fine. Do it anyway. Before you know it, you’ll be quite pleased with yourself and energised with a sense of satisfaction.

As every successful person understands, you do the thing that needs to be done regardless of how you feel or whether you’re motivated; you do the right thing.

Psychologically speaking, motivation is simply the desire to do things. James Clear states, “It is the set of psychological forces that compel you to take action.” Based on this definition, then, we have a choice: do we link our motivation to things that invariably change (i.e. emotions, schedules, other people etc) or do we link motivation to that which is unwavering — like a vision or desire that is so overwhelmingly powerful, that it would be unconscionable or irresponsible to not act on behalf of it; one so powerful that motivation has nothing to do with it or that renders it unnecessary.

Clear, reflecting on the work of Steven Pressfield in his book The War of Art, writes, “This, I think, is the essence of motivation. Every choice has a price, but when we are motivated, it is easier to bear the inconvenience of action than the pain of remaining the same. Somehow we cross a mental threshold — usually after weeks of procrastination and in the face of an impending deadline — and it becomes more painful to not do the work than to actually do it.”

For me, that mental threshold isn’t so much about the pain of not doing something versus the pain of doing it. It’s about identifying a vision or dream so outrageously wonderful that you can’t un-see it — so extraordinary that motivation whimpers in its shadow and obstacles are immaterial.

I suppose this entire article has one message: if your objectives/goals are dependent on your motivation, then … as the British say, “it’s a load of codswallop.”

If any of this resonated with you, give a girl a slamming high five. It’s always comforting to know when one person’s crazy matches another. Or join me in the Twitterverse!