A Deeper Motivation

You may have heard of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations.  As a personal trainer, we learned that people who are motivated from within, or intrinsically motivated, are the one's that are more likely to succeed than those externally motivated.

What I've learned since is that there is a chapter in the book on motivation that they left out.
 
Intrinsically motivated goals means something within me is fueling me to energize me to attain my goal.  Ex:  If I lose 4 pounds this week, I will feel better and feel satisfied. 

Extrinsically motivated goals, on the other hand, mean I am motivated by something outside of myself to energize my goal so that I can attain it.  Ex:  If I lose 4 pounds this week, then I will buy myself a new workout shirt.
 
Yet, Terry Warner introduces a new layer of depth to human motivate, and I believe, it is a game changer. 

"For the only change that matters is a change of heart. 
Every other change alters us cosmetically but not fundamentally; 
modifies how we appear, what we do or what we say, but not who we are." 
- C. Terry Warner author of Bonds that Make Us Free
 
So, let's set aside relating to objects as rewards.  Objects don't love us back.  This is most likely why they were proven to provide short term motivation only. 

Next, look at your "why".  What would the goal bring to your heart?  Good.  Now, one more layer.
 
What happens when your inner "why," your heart, adds other people into your goals?  You now have a purpose and meaning bigger than yourself.
 
Answer this. Take one goal you have for yourself right now. What positive impact does attaining your goal have on others?  In what ways does the positive impact matter? 
 
Ex:  If I lose 4 pounds this week, I will feel better and add to my health. Then I would be able to play with my grandkids longer and light up each others’ lives. 

Now I am deeply motivated and rooted in my motivations.
 
Your turn.  Why do your goals matter to others?  How will their life and your life improve? 

Perhaps it goes without saying.  The deeply rooted our motivations, the more natural our commitment grows.  The deeper the roots, the taller the tree.
 
Let’s change what deeply matters.  As this year comes to a close and we face the year to come, I invite you to keep Terry's words in mind as you set your goals and deepen your motivations by asking, "Whose life will I positively impact by reaching this goal and what makes this positive impact on them so truly important to me?"

​By Laurel Elders
Edited by Nancy Smyth and Sharon Eaks

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