What's Your Motivation?

Key Takeaways

Identifying your personal motivations, such as family, money, pride, outside expectations, credibility, goals, helping others, passion, fear of consequences, and the thrill of a challenge, can help you stay focused and driven, especially during challenging times or slumps in your professional journey.
It’s crucial to have strategies to revive your motivation when it lags, such as expressing gratitude, focusing on a single goal, eliminating negativity, tackling the most daunting task on your list, and using mood-boosting techniques like listening to uplifting music.
Psychological factors like empathy and altruism, societal norms, and personal experiences can greatly influence our motivation to help others, leading to personal growth, improved mental health, and a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Everyone hits a slump in their professional life at some point. And if you frequently work alone, getting out of it can be even harder than you might expect. When this happens, it can be valuable to remind yourself of what you’re working for, what are you trying to accomplish, and what motivates you to keep going. This is a useful exercise, not just for when you’re in a rut, but to help keep you centered when you’re juggling all of the everyday challenges of working on your own. Identifying Your Motivation Use the list below to start your own list of motivations that you can keep handy for when that slump hits or you just need a reminder of why you’re working so hard.

Family – Are you driven by making your family proud of what you’re doing? Does your work allow you to support them financially?
Money – Money can be a motivator in many ways. Is it one of the things that pushes you most in times of stress?
Pride – Pride in yourself and your work can be a powerful motivator for many. Is it for you?
Outside Expectations – Do you worry about fulfilling the needs of others or what others will think about you if you fail?
Credibility – Do you look at each project you take on as a way to solidify your credibility? Are you driven to do more by your integrity?
Goals – Did you set goals when you started out on your own? Do you have dreams that keep you on track?
Helping Others – Are you satisfied when you help others in your work? Does it motivate you to keep going?
Passion – Does love for what you do give you the fight to be able to work through the hard times?
Consequences – Are you afraid of what may happen if you don’t live up to your commitments?
The Challenge – Do you thrive on the challenge? Do you purposefully make your schedule overfull because that’s how you work best?

My biggest motivations are my family, pride in my business and reputation, and passion for what I do. It also helps that I thrive on the challenge that comes with setting far-reaching goals for myself. Reviving Your Motivation

I’ve found that my motivation lags when I’m away from work for an extended period of time, I have a particularly challenging week or if I have an overwhelming number of tasks on my to-do list. There are a lot of ways you can help yourself snap out of it when you hit a bump, but here are a few of my favorite ways to get refocused:

Be thankful for what you have and what you’ve already accomplished
Focus on one goal and work with tunnel vision until you’ve completed it
Eliminate all of the negativity and concentrate on the positive
Force yourself to do the most avoided item on your list (the rest will seem easy)
Psyche yourself up (music works!)

What motivates you, and how do you get back into it when you’re in a slump? Image credit: Alan Rainbow

Frequently Asked Questions about Motivation to Help Others

What are the psychological factors that motivate people to help others?

There are several psychological factors that motivate people to help others. Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is a significant motivator. When we empathize with others, we are more likely to want to help them. Altruism, the selfless concern for the well-being of others, is another motivator. Some people derive personal satisfaction or happiness from helping others. Additionally, social norms and societal expectations can also motivate people to help others.

How does personal experience influence the motivation to help others?

Personal experiences can greatly influence our motivation to help others. For instance, individuals who have overcome challenges or hardships may feel a strong desire to assist others facing similar situations. They may want to provide the support they once needed, creating a cycle of giving back.

Can helping others improve our own mental health?

Yes, helping others can have a positive impact on our own mental health. It can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance self-esteem. The act of giving can create a sense of purpose and fulfillment, leading to increased happiness and satisfaction in life.

What role does empathy play in motivating us to help others?

Empathy plays a crucial role in motivating us to help others. When we empathize, we can understand and share the feelings of others. This understanding can drive us to take action to alleviate their suffering or improve their situation.

How can societal norms influence our motivation to help others?

Societal norms and expectations can greatly influence our motivation to help others. In many cultures, helping others is seen as a moral duty or obligation. This societal pressure can motivate individuals to act altruistically, even when personal gain is not a factor.

How does altruism motivate us to help others?

Altruism, or the selfless concern for the well-being of others, can be a powerful motivator. Altruistic individuals derive personal satisfaction or happiness from helping others, which in turn motivates them to continue doing so.

Can helping others lead to personal growth?

Absolutely. Helping others can lead to personal growth in many ways. It can help us develop empathy, compassion, and understanding. It can also provide us with new perspectives and experiences, enhancing our worldview and personal development.

How can helping others contribute to a sense of purpose?

Helping others can contribute to a sense of purpose by providing a tangible way to make a difference in the world. It can create a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, knowing that our actions have positively impacted someone else’s life.

Can helping others improve our physical health?

Yes, helping others can also have positive effects on our physical health. Research has shown that acts of kindness can trigger the release of hormones that can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and boost overall well-being.

How can we cultivate a motivation to help others?

Cultivating a motivation to help others can start with small acts of kindness. It can also involve developing empathy and compassion, understanding the needs of others, and recognizing the benefits of altruism. Additionally, reflecting on our own experiences and how others have helped us can also inspire us to help others.