What Motivates You?

With the year coming to an end and a new year about to begin, it is a great time to stop and do some reflection and goal settings.  How was this past year for you?  What were your obstacles and triumphs? What would you like to see accomplished in the coming year? Whether it is a big idea, such as a purpose in your life or a career goal, or a smaller, more personal goal involving hobbies and interests, traveling, spending more time with family, or maybe it’s a health and wellness goal.  Now is a great time to take a moment and think about what you would like to work towards this coming year.  

When you reflect on where you have been and where you want to go or do, it is important to take a look at what motivated you this past year.  Recognize what was driving you in your life, work, and your personal objectives.  Now, look at what you would like to work on this coming year.  What is your motivation for working on these goals?  

For many people, it is easy to say that money is what motivates them to achieve their goals.  That may be the initial thought for the drive to succeed, but if you dig deeper, you will realize that there is a bigger motivation behind your goals. Motivation tends to be based on feelings. If you say money, how does having money make you feel?  What does money give you?  That is your motivation. 

Most people’s motivations fall into general categories:

• Power and fame

• Respect and recognition

• Desire to be the best

• Helping others

• Passion

• Credibility

• Family

• Pride

• Self-worth 

So, this year, when you are sitting there, making your list of goals for the new year, think about your motivation for tackling these objectives.  If it is self-care, fitness, diet, job-related, living situation, relationships, or any other slew of goals you may set, think about why you want to work on them.  What is the driving force behind them?  Write it down if you need to in order to remember why you are doing what you are doing throughout the year.  If you are unsure about what goals you may want to set for yourself, think about what motivates you in life and find small goals that you can accomplish to work in support of that particular motivation.  Do not let fear guide or hinder you from your goals and remember, goals are not set in stone.  They may alter and change as you progress.  

There is no right or wrong in terms of your motivation.  Your motivation is not to be judged by yourself or others, so be honest with yourself about what motivates you.  What is your driving force to accomplish your goals?  Maybe you have more than one motivation.  Maybe your motivation is different depending on your different goals. Whatever your motivations are, it is important to know and understand them in order to continue to work on your goals.  If you lose your motivation, you stop working on that particular goal.  What is it that you really want? How do you want to feel?  What keeps you moving forward?  What motivates you?