It's no coincidence, that when you're able to define motivation, you can discover the key to it!
This section of the site is devoted to helping you do just that, and among these pages you'll :
You can probably imagine, that what seems like motivation
to someone else, might be meaningless to you,
or even a negative influence.
Motivation is subjective.
If it's not motivating to you, then it's irrelevant.
Real self-improvement and motivation go hand-in-hand to give you the tools you need to grow!
So let's begin to define motivation, taking the first step to getting
that tool into your "hands"!...
You Don't Need to Be Able To Recite A Dictionary Definition,
but we're going to start with some...
What matters is being able to define it for yourself.
This is like the proverbial difference between receiving a fish, and learning how to fish.
Okay, bear with me, please, while we use a dictionary to prime the pump!...Wiktionary.org, offers 4 definitions for motivation. I'll list and comment on them to get us started:
1) Willingness of action especially in behavior: This sounds more like motivated;
it suggests a feeling of already being willing..of already having the motivation necessary.
This is the objective, right...to feel that willingness so that you can move forward?
2) The action of motivating: This one has me a little confused because motivation is a noun, and an action is a verb.
It seems to me, like it should read something like, the stimulus offered or accessed, when motivating.
This could be what you offer to someone else; what someone else offers to you; or what you tap into for yourself.
3) Something which motivates: This is very straightforward--a reason for doing something or not doing something.
It can be as simple as a tangible (like an ice cream cone, for ex.) or experiential (like an outing to the beach, for ex.) reward;
or it can be a threat (i.e., this thing that you don't want to have happen, will happen, if you don't do this);
or it can be the belief that it will be worth it...a kind of faith.
and 4) An incentive or reason for doing something: This brings to mind things like a free gas card if you open a new checking account,
or my offering you a free report about a particular topic, if you sign up for my newsletter (which I don't yet have).
Otherwise, this sounds to me, like 3), above--something which motivates.
If you found this page using the keyword, "define motivation," then I'd be willing to bet, that you didn't find a definition among these.
Technically, they're definitions, but unless you really understand what motivated means, they aren't a lot of help!
It's All Relative!
An Important Part
of How You Define Motivation,
is by the value you assign to an idea.
Huh??
Here's an example to illustrate: In many places, people are so motivated to have a lush, green lawn, that they're willing to spend
a lot of time and money to make that happen,
while here in Vermont, where I live, grass is a native plant, often taken for granted, and in my yard, by the water, it grows so rapidly and densely,
it could be considered a nuisance!
It's all relative. For some people a lawn is a prize (motivation) to be fought for and won; for others it's taken for granted;
and for others still, it's practically a nuisance (perhaps a much loved nusiance).
The value of anything, is derived from the value assigned to it--it's perceived value.
And that's definitely the case for what any one of us considers to be motivation or not.
The Truest Education You Can Have!
So far, in helping you to define motivation, we've examined basic concpets about it.
I have not presented you with one absolute definition.
I'm reluctant to do that, because by being fed a defintion, you'll have your view colored,
and you may miss out on the luxury of your own, meaningful definition forming in your mind.
And it's your own "educated" definition, that will be the most significant for you.
What will make your definition an "educated" one?
Simply the process of exploring what motivation is, the way we are here,
applying it to your own life, and letting the experiences you have, further shape it.
The truest education you can have!
Content That's Relevant For You!
As this site continues to grow with pages for you to explore and use in
your self-improvement journey,
each of the page descriptions that follow on the right, will become "clickable".
In the meantime, you can learn a little more about motivation, and see what's coming.
By reading the pages that are relevant for you, in the Motivation section of this site,
you'll be in the best position to define motivation your way!
This is a great approach because it layers and weaves together information and helps you extract what matters to you, to
refine your understanding.
What you'll end up with,
is the Ultimate Key to Motivation!
Let's review the topics you'll soon find in the Motivation section of this site...
Why is Motivation Important?
Motivation is like your lungs...it breathes life into what your spirit and brain have dreamed up and planned for you!
Learn how your vision of success and the motivation you need and feel, can work together when you read this page
about Success Motivation!
For Some, success is reflected in the quality of the journey they're making.
For others, it's reflected in the achievement of a goal or a set of goals.
In either case, you can get help determining what kind of motivation you need for making specific achievements,
on the Achievement Motivation page.
Theories of motivation are fairly numerous, but to get the most out of the Motivation section,
you'll benefit from reading this page on Motivation Theory, to learn my particular take on it!
Make extrinsic motivation work for you! With it, you have two different things going on, and this eye-opening page
on Extrinsic Motivation, will show you how to make that work with you, not against you!
Intrinsic motivation is powerful because "what you do, is what you get!"
Enhance your personal power: visit the Intrinsic Motivation page to learn how to make it part of your self-improvement journey!
Would you like more help understanding intrinsic motivation?
Go to this page where you'll find simple, yet inspiring Examples of Intrinsic Motivation.
You are the source of your own most powerful motivation. Learn here, about developing your supply of Self Motivation!
And then take advantage of some Self Motivation Tips!
Wouldn't it be great to be both in control of yourself, and kind to yourself? Well, you can be both!
Let the Emotion and Motivation page, give you some insight into the role your emotions play in motivation,
and how to turn this to your advantage!
Having Introduced The Basics,
Let's Look at What To Do
When Things Grow
Cloudy or Complicated...
Lack of motivation and procrastination are related, especially in the way they're perceived and therefore affect you,
but they are not the same thing!...
Read this page about effectively handling a Lack of Motivation,
...and this page to get my "inside scoop" on Procrastination,
to learn about each, how they're different, and how to manage them.
Bonus: the way you think about procrastination, may change in a very beneficial way!
Are you looking for some techniques to add to your motivation repertoire?
Let this page help you create Motivation Techniques that work for you!
A Category of Its Own...
Explore the Work Motivation page to become clearer about how being motivated to work is in a category of its own,
how to
experience the motivation you need, and
what to do if you just can't seem to!
Whether you're an employee, the employer, or self-employed, the Employee Motivation page offers you insight into this challenging topic.
And, whether you'd like to work with your employees to understand what motivates them and help them to feel as motivated as possible,
or you're interested in increasing your enjoyment and value as an employee, read about the Employee Motivation Questionnaire
and how to download it for Free!
I hope you'll enjoy making your own discovery among these pages,
of the Ultimate Key to Motivation!
And when you feel you've got it figured out, if you'd still like to "check and see;"
...fill out the Making Contact Form
and ask for my feedback!
