What Causes a Lack of Motivation?
Whether in relationships, school, work, or even our leisure activities, there are times individuals simply lack the motivation or energy to go that extra mile or even do the bare minimum. Lack of motivation may be caused by life changes or underlying mental health conditions like adjustment disorder or depression.
An unmotivated state of mind can be caused by seemingly innocuous, but impactful actions. The most common ones to look out for are:
- Stress
- Poor sleep hygiene
- Unclear goals and priorities
- Sedentary activities like watching TV or scrolling through social media (especially in the morning)
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of exercise
- Procrastination
Sometimes, we’re feeling unmotivated because we have never learned our motivational style, intrinsic versus extrinsic, or what types of stimuli are typically necessary for us to spring into action.
Each of your clients has different motivational strategies. We all interpret the world differently and we all get excited, inspired, and focused for different reasons.
What Makes a Person Motivated?
At the most basic level, there are two basic types of motivation: Extrinsic and Intrinsic.
Extrinsic motivation is the external form of motivation. As an example, if your boss sets a deadline on a particular project and your year-end bonus is tied to the deadline, that is a very specific form of extrinsic motivation. This example includes two extrinsic motivators: your boss’ expectations and the bonus itself. So, extrinsic motivation doesn’t always have to be another person per se. However, it is some specific outside demand, obligation, or reward that requires the achievement of a particular goal.
Intrinsic motivation, however, is an internal form of motivation. You strive towards a specific goal for personal satisfaction or accomplishment. You may even work towards a long-term reward such as building your business or participating in a sports competition, but the primary motivator is internal. As people age, they pursue intrinsic goals and disengage from external-oriented goals. They choose goals that reflect their deeper interests, rather than external pressures,
What is it that you think will make you feel accomplished? Is it respect? Is it fame?
You shouldn’t judge yourself for what motivates you to succeed. In the same way with other people, cannot judge you for your motivation. Some more specific ways that people are motivated include:
You are Motivated to Win and Avoid Losing
We like to win, but we hate to lose. We feel the pain of loss more deeply than we feel the pleasure of gain. For example, consumers are more responsive to a price increase than to a decrease. Loss aversion produces inertia or status quo bias, meaning a strong desire to stick with your current status.
Self-validation and Maintaining a Positive Self-image
People are motivated to be perceived favorably by themselves. Our actions offer a window into our personality and preferences. For example, giving money to a panhandler, or changing Facebook profile photos to honor the victims of some new tragedy.
People are also motivated to verify or confirm their existing self-views. That is why we prefer to associate with those who see us the way we see ourselves and avoid those who do not. For example, being with a partner who confirms your self-view as a spouse makes you feel better about yourself.
Your Natural Curiosity = MOTIVATION
We are hardwired with the desire to learn and explore the world. Curiosity is viewed as arising when attention becomes focused on a gap in one’s knowledge. A curious person is motivated to obtain information in an effort to reduce or eliminate the feeling of deprivation. Once we are told what we do not know something, we want to know it.
Honoring Our Autonomy
People like to feel in control. We are biologically wired to seek control. It makes us happier and healthier across a number of dimensions. So giving people a sense of control and having options is a powerful force of motivation for many people.
Can Our Mood Be Motivating?
When people feel threatened, they are much more responsive to negative information. Being in a bad mood primes a person to think about negative things. In contrast, people are much more likely to engage in boring tasks when they are in a good mood.
Why are We Motivated By Other People?
Approval is a prerequisite for forming and maintaining social bonds. We are social creatures, and we care about other people’s opinions. We are driven by the desire to earn the respect of our friends, family and peers. Many people prefer achievements that are validated, recognized, and valued by other people, especially the important people in their life. When people are asked what pleasures contribute most to happiness, the overwhelming majority rate love, intimacy, and social affiliation above wealth or fame, even above physical health.
Using Motivation in Your Coaching Career
Until you inquire about your clients and LISTEN to them, you will never know how they interpret the world. You won’t understand their own cognitive style when it comes to motivation. Just knowing these simple motivational strategies and listening to what your clients tell you about how they make decisions and set goals will give you great insight into their world.
Knowing these skills and integrating them into any training/coaching business will make you more qualified to motivate, inspire and keep your clients excited to stay committed to their goals and dreams.
Want to Learn More About Motivation?
Spencer Institute certification programs are open to anyone with a desire to learn and help others. There are no prerequisites.
If you are passionate about helping people and living a fulfilling life, we can help you achieve your dreams right now. The Life Strategies Coaching Certification Course combines the latest advancements in human potential and neuroscience with proven methods of success used by the world’s most productive people.
Every one of your coaching clients wants results. That’s exactly why becoming a Certified Results Coach is a great choice. You will learn very high-level, yet easy-to-follow, strategies and methods for helping your clients achieve the exact results they desire.
That’s it for now.
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