Key Points
- At one time or another, we have all felt like we were being pushed into something against our will. We pushed back or rebelled every step of the way. A lot of energy was used up and we probably felt miserable because everything was “have-to.” Why we go after those things we want falls into two categories of motivation: constructive and restrictive (coercive and inhibitive).
- We recognize restrictive motivation by two specific phrases. Coercive motivation is known by “I have to, or else.” The “or else” part means that there is some type of consequence if we don’t behave in a certain way. Inhibitive motivation is known by “I can’t, or else.” Again, there is some sort of consequence if we ignore the “can’t” and we will break all the rules to avoid the consequences. Coercive motivation forces us in a specific direction, and Inhibitive holds us back from growing.
- When we feel like we are being pushed, anyone with any level of self-esteem will push back. This push-back can come in the form of procrastination where we put off what we need to do until the last minute; creative avoidance where we find anything else to do except what needs to be done; or we do only enough work to get the boss off of our back, settling for mediocre and not our best performance. All three spend energy we could be using elsewhere.
- A classic example of restrictive motivation is the person, so set in their ways, and so certain that their way is the ONLY way, that life is extremely regimented. Anything that gets in the way, or deviates, from this normal, drives them bonkers. They appoint themselves Captain of the World, and make it their life’s work to fix everything according to their idea of how things should get done. In the meantime, they are making themselves – and everybody else – miserable, because human perfection is just not possible.
- Constructive motivation means switching from a “have-to” mentality to a “want-to.” Finding the WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) means that we find the value in achievement. We choose to go after our goals because we see the benefits, and we are the ones in control of the decisions we make. We want it and there is no pushing back against something we want.
- So, we do what we want to do, but there is a catch. We need to be be willing to accept responsibility for our decisions. They are our decisions and we want to be accountable for them.
Key Concepts
Constructive Motivation – a positive, free-flowing drive; a “want to” where value is found in the experience.
Fear – an emotional state, in the presence or anticipation of a dangerous or poisonous stimulus; and internal, subjective experience that is often played out physically.
Push / Push-back – when human beings are pushed, they often push back in the form of procrastination, creative avoidance and/or poor work.
Restrictive Motivation – can manifest as coercive (“I have to, or else…”) or inhibitive (“I can’t, or else…”); motivation by threat or fear of some awful consequence.
WIIFM – What’s In It For Me; finding value, the benefit to oneself; constructive motivation.
Application & Review Questions
Download the interactive PDF and save to your hard drive. Then, take time to reflect on the Application & Review Questions and answer them in relation to the concepts presented apply to your own life.
A Deeper Dive into Motivation
Self-Determination Theory, from the 1970s, provides us with an opportunity to look at the subject of motivation as it applies to our goals. Motivation significantly impacts why we set the goals we do and our ability to achieve them. Goal-setting motivation may be divided into four types, two that enhance and two detract goal achievement.
Enhancers
- Intrinsic motivation is the highest level of motivation, as it comes from within. It is the internal drive to achieve what we want. We undertake our goals because they bring us a rewarding experience.
- Identified motivation is likely the type we are most exposed to. The goal is not chosen by ourselves, it is given to us. However, we identify with the goal because it aligns with our purpose or values. We often see this type of motivation with work or sports team goals.
Detractors
- External (extrinsic) motivation is applied by someone else and there is always a consequence (or else…) associated with this type of motivation, applied by an outside force and not by ourselves.
- Introjected motivation is about forcing negative emotions on ourselves, in order to achieve the goal. It is the “guilt trip” we impose, that sense of obligation to someone outside of us. We rarely feel positive and confident about our actions, and the goal achievement brings with it very little in the way of satisfaction. It’s the ultimate “have to.”
Further breaking down our motivation toward goal achievement, we have:
Avoidance motivation indicates that people attempt goals to avoid a particular outcome. For example, we may pursue a line of study not for the knowledge or degree, but to avoid being seen as under-educated or not good enough or respected enough. Avoidance motivation has proven to have low performance outcomes in the face of obstacles or challenges, typically because of the accompanying creative avoidance.
Approach motivation is where we would pursue the line of study because it aligns with our interests, benefits us and the learning contributes to our mastery of a subject or skill. Approach performs well against challenges and encourages the growth of self-efficacy, creativity and persistence. Even if we do not fully succeed at the goal, we benefit from the knowledge and experience gathered along the way.
Understanding and encouraging healthy motivation frameworks is vital toward goal achievement and is of far greater benefit than setting and getting the perfect goal.
EXTENDED LEARNING – TBC