Motivating Yourself - It's Not As Difficult As It Seems
Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 3:02PM One of the most common questions I am asked in my professional career is "How do you know so much about this stuff?" The stuff that most ask me about are various technologies, new trends in technology, how businesses are using these new tools to their benefits, how to tackle problems, management and leadership insights, among others. It is pretty easy to explain to most; long professional experience, personal associations, firsthand experience, open-mindedness, etc. Yet the one of the key traits that I mention seems to be one of the most commonly absent for many... motivation.
In my countless discussions ranging from technical topics, leadership, project management, even personal growth the trait of motivation is one of a core few that I find myself talking about the most. Generally speaking everyone is motivated by something. By motivation I mean performing activity solely on your own without being constantly reminded to do, yet not because it is a regimen, but because it is something you enjoy doing. For example some people love playing golf, kayaking, surfing, reading, biking, running, traveling, playing with their pet, building furniture, etc. I do mean that they love doing these things. It is not something forced onto them, not something that they see as a chore such as taking out the garbage. Rather it is something that so innately resonates within them that they are compelled to do something. It is this kind of motivation that I find most professionals are lacking.
There may be many historical reasons for this. However recent events specifically the recession has forced in my opinion a significant opportunity to evaluate one's goals and desires especially when it comes to their career. For instance I have seen a number of professionals who "made due" with positions at a company under significant duress with long hours, poor compensation, high stress, and more just so that their organization could "survive" the recession. This is not a bad strategy for a number of reasons but merely subsisting eventually leads to burnout. On the other hand another group of professionals who have long hours, low compensation compared to a standard position, and high stress are entrepreneurs. Compared to the former group these individuals are excited about what they are doing, and constantly re-invigorate themselves to push ahead. Most do not suffer burnout as their counterparts understand it, rather they thrive and grow on the challenges presented to them. The difference again is based on several key concepts but motivation is chief among them.
No one will pursue what they feel is a "job" or a "task" for any length of time. Chores are done because they have to be, not because you enjoy them. But what changes a chore into a joy is a mixture of passion and belief that what one is doing is worthwhile. Once that is in place, the motivation comes easily enough. Yet for many professionals they are not motivated to do their best. The core reason for this is that they are not passionate about what they are doing. When they love what they do, they find the motivation.
As a result I often ask professionals are they "doing what they love". Not because it is a deep or trick question but simply because if they are unhappy then they are not doing what they love to do and consequently they will not be motivated.
I typically use my own professional experiences as examples. I am extremely curious. I love tinkering, and working on things. Much of the time I like to get hands on. To get a sense of the true challenges, the true nature of the work, and different perspectives on a common topic. I have worked in technology and innovation leadership through auto manufacturing, professional consulting, credit scoring, silicon valley software and hardware companies, financial services, startups, e-commerce, cloud, telecommunications, government, and many others. Naturally working in any of these industries is a challenge yet what many find fascinating is that I do such things on a regular basis. To most this seems tremendously daunting. I find it fun and exhilarating. I love learning new things and making an impact. As a result of this core passion, I am highly motivated to learn things quickly, to observe and move quickly, and to make an impact that benefits everyone. Without the passion, there is no motivation.
Almost all professionals believe they see their passion clearly enough. Which is true at least to some extent. I advise them to go deeper than a mere surface belief because often times unless someone has spent a very long time at introspection, true passion cannot be immediately nor accurately communicated. So when someone replies to my question about their passion with quick statements such as "I love project management!" I ask them "Why?" or "What do you love about?". This takes many twists and turns which is expected but it is a journey that most professionals never undertake because they have been too busy dealing with their "chores" rather than their "joys". Everyone needs to take some quiet time to really look at what they enjoy doing.
I often mention to my friends and colleagues motivating yourself is not as difficult as it seems, it is a natural result of being in tune with your passion. Once the time is taken to look at what one is passionate about, motivation to do something about it is almost instantaneous. They act more deliberately, without hesitation and with more vigor. They take charge which is an empowering action for any person no matter their profession.
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