Motivation = R + E + D
Motivation is a product of resilience, energy and desirability of the outcome, hence motivation = R + E + D. If you seek to motivate yourself or others it can be helpful to use these three factors to evaluate and increase motivation levels.
RESILIENCE
The ability to deal with unexpected problems and maintain focus on necessary tasks is a sign of resilience. People with high levels of resilience have coping mechanisms and techniques they engage when they encounter obstacles. Furthermore, they have the ability to retain focus, be calm and creative when dealing with problems. A useful aid to building resilience is default optimism, a simple technique to understand but a difficult technique to master. Default optimism is an automatic response to a negative event or events. The automatic response is, “what positive can result from the negative event?” Initially this may seem counter intuitive but with practice it becomes natural and liberating. For a short video explanation of default optimism click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6dgipnNAgw
ENERGY
Key to motivation is energy. High levels of energy significantly add to motivation levels, therefore those seeking to be highly motivated should endeavour to avoid activities that reduce energy. Energy is reduced by such things as consumption of alcohol, insufficient sleep, poor diet. Energy is increased by regular exercise, proper diet, good rest patterns. Dr Robert E Thayer, Professor of Psychology at California State University conducted studies that identified activities people engage in, to raise energy levels such as:
68% - Rest, take a nap, close eyes, or sleep
55% - Take a shower or bath or splash water on face
45% - Go outside and get some fresh air
43% - Do something to keep busy
41% - Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverage
41% - Listen to music
37% - Eat something
28% - Exercise (this may include taking a walk)
28% - Call, talk to, or be with someone
27% - Control thoughts (e.g. give oneself a “pep talk”)
25% - Change location (e.g. go for a drive or go outside)
DESIRABILITY
In the work place the average staff member is exposed to a variety of required performance outcomes, some performance outcomes require the execution of tasks that are more appealing or desirable than others. Oftentimes tasks that are desirable are the tasks that play to the strengths of the individual. According to Gallup, the consultancy that deals with analytics and advice to organisations, “people who focus on their strengths every day are six times more likely to be engaged in their jobs.” Highly engaged staff are much more motivated. If the task is necessary and not desirable, it can help to embrace the concept of “circle of influence” i.e. there are certain areas of work life we have no influence over them. This means we must accept certain tasks need to be executed and we should deal with them first, to get it out of the way and not allow it to demotivate us by procrastinating and dreading the task.
CONCLUSION
To ascertain your motivation level when faced with a particular task you could attribute a rating to each factor on a scale of 1 to 10, one being low, ten being high. For each factor you rated low, you can take specific actions to increase the rating. When each factor is at its highest level you will exhibit high levels of motivation.
