In our last blog post we took a look at various types of motivation, and how effective they can be. In particular we looked at internal vs. external motivators to understand why incentives such as bonuses don’t always have the intended effect. This week we’re going to look at three steps you can take to cultivate self-motivation.
3 Steps to AWEsome Self-Motivation
The solution to finding self-motivation, energy, and drive lies in tapping into three concepts represented by the acronym AWE:
- A = Autonomy: Establish control and self-determination.
- W = Why: Link tasks to meaningful values.
- E = Establish choice: Make a small decision, then act on it.
1. Autonomy
A prerequisite to motivation is the belief that one has some degree of control over their actions, choices, and environment. When people believe they are in control, they work harder and push themselves more.
“Autonomy is our human need to perceive we have choices. It is our need to feel that what we are doing is of our own volition. It is our perception that we are the source of our actions.” ~ Susan Fowler, Why Motivating People Doesn’t Work…and What Does: The New Science of Leading, Energizing, and Engaging
As adults, we never lose the need for autonomy. Productivity significantly increases for blue-collar workers in manufacturing plants who are given the ability to stop the line. So does the productivity of white-collar workers in major investment banks who report a high sense of autonomy.
A sense of autonomy is so crucial to human needs that people who believe they have control over themselves often live longer than their peers.
2. “Why?” Link Purpose and Value to Tasks
If you want to stir up motivation and energy, ask yourself why a task is important. Why should you do this? Then ask the “So what?” question five times, drilling down to core values about why even the smallest of chores will lead to important results.
Unless you know the big picture reasons for doing something, you won’t be self-motivated. Knowing the “why” behind a task can turn any chore into a meaningful challenge because you associate it with a purpose, passion, or desire to be of service to others. It is often easier to make efforts for friends or family, or for a cause greater than ourselves.
3. Establish Choice, Then Act
One way we prove to ourselves that we have control is by choosing and making decisions. To create self-motivation, take advantage of opportunities to make choices which provide a sense of self-determination.
This suggests an easy method to trigger the energy: find a choice; make almost any choice that allows you to exert control. For example, if you need to write an article, make a list of possible subtopics you want to cover. Or start by writing the conclusion. Whatever small choice you make will start the project and generate self-motivation and energy.
It’s the feeling of self-determination that gets us going. When we can link it to why it matters, to our noble values and sense of meaning, it is even more powerful.
There’s a lot of truth and wisdom in the 1930s Serenity Prayer that can be applied to almost any situation:
“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
– Reinhold Niebuhr
These three simple steps are a great way to generate self-motivation in yourself, as well as the people on your team. If you’re on a quest to generate more self-motivation, and going to give these suggestions a try, I would love to hear from you! I can be reached here or on LinkedIn.
