Motivation is the impulse that moves people to do some actions that direct you to achieve a specific goal. It is essential to achieve medium and long-term goals and not to decline in efforts. There is a lot of talk about motivation and its need, especially when the going gets tough. Motivation to play sports, to learn a language, to meditate daily or for any of the purposes that we usually consider year after year.
But the motivation it is not uniform neither in form nor in substance. There are many differences in what motivates each person and in the strength of those motives in the same way that it is in continuous growth and decline which causes that there are days in which people feel highly motivated and with strength and others in which you don’t have just the energy to pursue your goals.
motivational cycle
When it is understood that motivation varies and that it is a process a series of stages can be observed. This is what is called the motivational cycle in which the person starts from a moment of equilibrium, called homeostasis. Then a stimulus appears that generates need and this unsatisfied need causes a state of tension in the subject.
The state of tension produces an impulse that leads to action, that is, produces behavior that is intended to achieve the objective. After this behavior, the objective is obtained and satisfaction is achieved, returning to the initial state of homeostasis until the appearance of the next stimulus.
However, when satisfaction is not achieved in a certain period of time that unmet need causes frustration and it can lead to disorganized behaviors. Then apathy and disappointment begin and in some cases aggressive behaviors may even appear. This frustration can also be a source of anxiety, nervousness or other pathologies. Hence the tremendous importance of setting possible goals and real deadlines.
Types of motivation
- Intrinsic: Centered on the individual itself is one that does not depend on external pressures or rewards.
- Extrinsic: The objective is to obtain an external benefit which makes it transitory.
- Positive: It is what is done waiting for a reward.
- Negative: On the contrary, this provokes a behavior to avoid something unpleasant.
- Amotivation: Lack of motivation.
- Primary: Its purpose is to cover biological needs.
- Social: Related to the interaction between individuals, it can be aimed at acceptance in a group.
Improve your motivation
Knowing that motivation fluctuates is the first step to improve it because accepting that there are days when we have less strength prepares us to make the most of the days when we have a better predisposition and for those days to exist.
In addition, it is advisable to prepare an action plan and try to carry it out without losing sight of the objectives and staying away from the complaint. Take advantage of the days when you are more cheerful and surround yourself with positive people. If you divide your goal into milestones you will have small rewards along the way and your motivation will improve while you enjoy the journey.