Motivation. (Smile)
Where would we be without motivation? Motivation helps you create, it helps you achieve, it provides. Motivation is the next gear, the difference between winning the Championship and not. Motivation comes from something you read or hear or see or don't read or don't hear or don't see. Motivation comes from your boss, your peers, your mentors, your family, your priest, your Facebook friends.
We all need motivation. We all need a driving force, something that challenges us to be amazing, to deliver something beautiful. Motivation is a critical component to the success of people. Motivation works wonders, it keeps us focused, determined, and involved. Motivation is essential to the performance of the TEAM you lead, how you participate in their success. Motivation to study for a test. Motivation to climb Mt Everest. Motivation is strong, sturdy, and powerful. Motivation is essential.
Motivation is a great thing... for the most part.
The problem with motivation? It has an expiration date.
I argue that motivation, the act or instance of motivating, the state or condition of being motivated, something that motivates (dictionary.com), has a beginning and an end. It's a short, yet precise burst of energy. Not unlike a match that is struck, it ignites a flame, burns bright and emits heat, but eventually burns out. Motivation is a defined time frame in which greatness will occur. Motivation to sell more stuff, motivation to achieve goals, or motivation to deliver a project. Motivation is a sprint; OK maybe a 400 meter sprint, but a sprint nonetheless. You are motivated to read the rest of this blog because I just shook your definition of motivation and you want to know what I have to say next. Motivation is something you do, (shameless plug for last weeks post) dare I say a destination. It's how you start or how you finish, that is motivation. One must realize the impact of motivation, the need of motivation, the understanding of motivation.
What's beyond motivation?
Inspiration! (Bigger SMILE!)
Different story. Different level.
Where would we be without inspiration? Inspiration helps you to navigate, it helps you engage, it consumes. Inspiration is the internal fire within, it's your soul, an obligation. Inspiration is enhanced by something you read or hear or see or don't read or don't hear or don't see. Inspiration comes from people, books, things, music, art, history, rainbows.
We all need inspiration. We all need a purpose, an internal gauge that steers us forward. Something that engages others around you, that leaves places better than how you found them, or saves an entire species. Inspiration is a gift that keeps giving, a pay-it-forward way of life. Inspiration to change thinking. Inspiration to change humanity. Inspiration to eliminate racism. Inspiration is essential.
The distinct difference between motivation and inspiration is the timing. I would argue that one cannot be inspired without being motivated, however it is possible to be motivated yet not inspired. We may be motivated by money (often a common denominator) but is it what gets you up in the morning? Motivation to pay the bills, buy cool stuff, or create opportunity is certainly a part of our lives, but is it what inspires us daily? Inspiration has no expiration date, no beginning or end, no lifespan. Inspiration has a continuous flow, a trajectory of limitless potential. Motivation is the weekend sale, inspiration is the days in-between. Constant progression is inspiration. Completing training is motivation. Inspiration is the journey, its something you are. Your inspiration is the action that happens after something occurs, how you read, act, talk, or think differently (perhaps as a result of reading this blog) as a result of. Inspiration is the feeling, the belief, the duty. One must realize the impact of inspiration, the need of inspiration, the understanding of inspiration.
My ask... challenge the way you think about motivation and inspiration. Think of these words and the power they have the next time you hear or use them. Study the difference and what drives each, there are lessons to be learned. Share your thinking (with me perhaps), who knows what's next.
Inspiration is in all of us but it is wasted without the actions of motivation. I can be inspired to be a better person but unless I act and motivate myself it is a worthless feeling.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess my wife is signed into google. Whats up Craig this is Keith its been a long time. Looks like things are going good and your using that motivation to work for you.
Funny, this is the very thing I'm concentrating on right now. Defying the expiration date of my motivation. I'm also working on finding inspiration everywhere, a beautiful sunrise on the mountain, the gratification after a great run, leaders like you, etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great article!