Here’s something most people don’t realize about motivation… all motivations are not created equal.
One thing may get you started or cause you to raise your hand to get involved in an activity. But it’s usually something altogether different that keeps you going in the middle of that activity — particularly when things get tough. And finally, when you’ve finished an activity — something you feel great about accomplishing — there’s something completely different that describes what made it all worthwhile.
Certain motivations get you started. Different motivations keep you going. And still others kick in at the end when you have that deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment from doing something meaningful.
Take running, for example. As someone with an on-again-off-again relationship with running, this example hits close to home. And yes, that’s me in the photo, running in the middle of a proper Texas downpour.
There’s a certain motivation that gets you out of bed and lacing up your shoes before sunrise. Maybe it’s about improving your health or proving something to yourself.
But midway through — when your legs feel dead? That’s a completely different motivation kicking in. Maybe it’s your need to push through challenges or systematically work toward a goal.
And finally, when you’re back home, kicking off those shoes, enjoying that well-deserved runner’s high? That sense of personal satisfaction and accomplishment is another thing altogether. Maybe it’s the satisfaction of doing something hard, or the feeling that you’ve made progress and learned something new about yourself.
We call that Motivational Flow, and it describes the unique way you approach things in your life. It’s made up of the motivations that get you started, keep you engaged, and make it all worthwhile in the end.
Your Motivational Flow describes what “flow state” looks like for you — those moments when you’re so immersed in an activity that time just seems to fly by. You feel extremely focused, but also fully engaged and so caught up in the activity that it feels effortless. Like you could do it all day. That’s what we mean when we talk about Motivational Flow.
My Motivational Flow Statement looks like this: “I’m motivated to meet needs by deeply understanding and then sharing insights, because what I want most is to positively impact people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.”
Someone else’s might be, “I’m motivated to push beyond what’s known as I give creative form to ideas, because what I want most is to turn visions into reality.”
When you understand your unique Motivational Flow, you’ll instantly recognize why some activities energize you from start to finish. And why others feel like a constant struggle.
Oh, and you can also use it as a litmus test for whether or not to take on a projects. Does it align with your Motivational Flow? If not, it’s a hard pass.
It’s not just about knowing what motivates you. It’s about understanding how your motivations work together in sequence — unlike anyone else on the planet.
Want some help understanding your own Motivational Flow? Let’s have a conversation about the things that get you started, keep you going, and what makes it all worth it.
Okay, your turn… what would it take for you to go for a run during a rainstorm like this crazy guy?
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