Inner Motivation and Crafting Goals with Precision
What is the role of motivation? And is it possible to do without it? How can it be generated? And what is goal setting? It seems, what new can I possibly hear… There are plenty of training, motivators… Well, if everything was so great, this question wouldn’t be as relevant now, especially in an era of rapidly changing circumstances and the world in general. Of course, those who say “I already know everything myself” might not need to read this (by the way, when a person says “I know about this,” it’s a freezing point, meaning the graph will go down.) This material is for those who are looking for small hints for themselves, to not give up on their way to their goal, so shall we begin?
Enjoy your journey to self-discovery!
Part one: Inner Motivation
At its core, motivation is the reason behind our actions, whether they’re driven by external rewards or internal desires. The pursuit of a project that genuinely excites us from within is what psychologists refer to as intrinsic motivation while chasing a goal for the sake of a reward or to avoid punishment is extrinsic motivation.
Intrinsic Motivation: The Fire Within
Intrinsic motivation is the kind that makes you want to engage in activities because you find them pleasurable. You work on your goals without necessarily any material gain other than the sense of accomplishment and personal growth. In other words, this can be called a hobby, passion, or interest (for example, fixing cars or programming). Some people have it strongly pronounced, while others, due to various circumstances and reasons, have not paid attention to it. But everyone has it; we just sometimes don’t notice it when we compare ourselves with others.
On the way to Intrinsic Motivation
The challenge lies in fostering this type of motivation. To do so, it’s essential to align your values with your goals. Are your goals an extension of your true passions and talents or are they choices influenced by external factors? Understanding this distinction can fuel a revolution in your approach to progress.
The thing is, we are all the same and different at the same time; there is no completely identical personality like you! Do you understand? Your way of speaking, even your style of frying an omelet, has a unique shade. Society greatly influences disorientation, which consequently leads to people living with others’ goals, and beliefs, and imitating others. Will this give them that inner motivation? Maybe, but not in the long term. The solution? Be honest with yourself and, taking a cup of tea, sit in silence and think about what personally ignites me. Which keys to press within me to get charged? Understanding how these keys ignite will allow you to return to them and reignite yourself when you’re tired.
Extrinsic Motivation: Beyond the Here and Now
Conversely, extrinsic motivation involves seeking satisfaction and rewards that are found outside of oneself. This could include a job promotion, financial gains, or even the avoidance of negative outcomes.
Balancing Extrinsic Motivation
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with external motivators, it’s crucial to find a balance. Over-reliance on external rewards can diminish the joy and satisfaction found in the pursuit of a goal, creating dissatisfaction over time. It’s not about eliminating the need for rewards but about ensuring that they complement rather than overshadow the intrinsic motivations that drive you.
External motivation can often be imposed on you, for example, you need to pay a mortgage for a house and make a certain payment, and you might not be particularly motivated, but you need to. From my point of view, the core is still the internal part of a person who wants to have something, for example, to live near the beach, and have a big family, and from this, external motivation grows.
Part Two: Crafting Goals with Precision
Setting goals is an art as well as a science. The SMART goal framework— Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound — offers a structured approach that turns nebulous dreams into clear, actionable targets.
Specificity: The Power of Clarity
When creating a goal, be specific. This involves clearly defining what you want to achieve, why it’s important, who’s involved, where it will take place, and what the necessary steps are. This clarity helps you build a solid foundation for success.
Clarity, what is it? In simple terms, if you get into a car that’s not designed for off-roading (for example, you want to be a super negotiator, but lack the skill) and you need to travel through swampy territory (the job involves a lot of negotiations) to reach a specific point on the map (to close a certain number of successful deals), then you won’t get anywhere, you’ll run out of gas!
Measurability: Tracking Your Progress
Measurable goals provide tangible evidence that you have accomplished what you set out to do. Here, metrics are your best friend. Whether it’s numbers, percentages, or simply a series of milestones, measurable goals keep you on track and provide a sense of accomplishment as you tick off completed tasks.
In essence, it is essential to outline SPECIFICS regarding tasks, including the what, when, and how, along with clear timelines. It’s also crucial to have contingency plans in place for potential setbacks, and in the event of mistakes, to draw conclusions and adjust strategies rather than persisting with the same approach and expecting different outcomes.
Achievability: Realistic Expectations
The key to using the SMART goal framework is setting realistic objectives. This involves an analysis of the skills, resources, and time you have at your disposal. An unrealistic goal can be demotivating, but an achievable one provides you with daily opportunities to celebrate your progress.
In simple terms – be objective about yourself and what you have before you set off on your journey! Remember about gasoline (motivation) which can run out if not calculated in advance, and it’s important to remember! Each failure makes us weaker, fear will appear, and you will be demotivated, so act wisely.
Relevancy: Meaningful Objectives
Your goals should align with your long-term aspirations and the broader organizational objectives you might be working towards. When your goals have significance, their attainment becomes a means to an end and not just a tick on your to-do list.
What’s important to note? The foundation is the goal itself! and questions to oneself “Am I sure that I want to achieve this? What if it doesn’t happen so quickly? What if it doesn’t happen at all? Will I have enough motivation to see it through to the end? (it’s important to remember that it’s not the strongest who wins, but the one who is willing to go all the way!). We don’t live in a movie, where everything can be smooth, and on the path to achieving our goal, we often face resistance (in the form of situations, and circumstances) and we will have a choice to either do as others say (of course, sometimes it’s necessary to listen to wise advice) or to give up.
Time-Bound: The Power of Deadlines
Every SMART goal is anchored within a timeframe. Time constraints create urgency, spark action, and tell you when you can expect to see your efforts bear fruit — allowing you to schedule the work needed to achieve the objective.
If your task or goal isn’t bound by a specific timeframe, you’re heading into the void. Want an example? Remember when you overslept for an important meeting or event, and how quickly you started to get ready? Do you recall the surge that hits you at that moment, the sudden burst of energy, and how your mind begins to work faster? That’s what it’s like to operate within a limited time. When time is limited, you’ll find the energy and impulse. If there’s a starting point but no specific end point in time, everyday problems will sweep you away, you’ll make excuses, and eventually give up on your goal.
Part three: Terrain of Self-Doubt
The path to achieving our goals is not always smooth. Self-doubt can creep in at any moment, sabotaging our progress and denting confidence. It’s important to recognize these moments and develop strategies to overcome them.
Addressing the Inner Critic
The first step in silencing self-doubt is acknowledging it. Understand that having doubts is a human experience and not a reflection of your abilities. By doing so, you take away some of its power. Have you ever asked yourself who inside me is having a dialogue? You must understand (you may not believe it, but you can check) that conditionally, you consist of two halves, one wants growth, development, progress, adventure, and the second? The second wants nothing! It’s comfortable watching numbing videos and living based on Excuses. Do you recognize yourself? After reading the biographies of hundreds of successful people, I came to a simple conclusion, EVERYONE doubted, EVERYONE experienced downturns and upswings, it’s inherent to life. Doubts are shattered by actions, act towards your goal and you’ll see how doubts disappear.
Small Wins
Big victories often come after a series of small wins. Each step you take toward your goal represents a forward movement and deserves recognition. Celebrating these milestones can renew your energy and keep you on track.
Yes, it may seem trivial, but neglecting it can lead to sad consequences. Every professional, no matter how authoritative, is at heart a child. Yes, you heard right, a child. And what do children love? Holidays and gifts. So think about what suits you personally. Intermediate success? A small gift. A setback? A cup of tea with a cake and reevaluating the actions that led to the mistake, then replacing them with new ones and moving forward!
Oh, what will others think and say?
We live in a wonderful time) Some so many people don’t know how to do it themselves, teaching others how to succeed..Funny, isn’t it? There are so many people advising on investing, while they have either lost everything there or have never invested any money at all! Many advise you on how to be happy while being in chronic depression for years…I think you get what I mean. So, what should you do? – think for yourself, your mistakes and successes are your own. If people who know how to build a business and have achieved success advise you – you should and must listen to them! Learn to understand what you are doing YOURSELF or ask real professionals.
Drawing Inspiration from the Unlikeliest of Places
Inspiration is the catalyst that can set the wheels of motivation in motion. Often, inspiration hides in the unlikeliest of places— a movie, a book, a conversation. The challenge is to remain open and receptive to these moments and to actively seek them out.(But don’t be under the illusion that if there’s inspiration, you’ll move forward, and if not, you’ll meditate and wait for it to appear… no, it won’t appear. Relying on constant inspiration is a big mistake. Read the autobiographies of outstanding athletes; many of them wouldn’t have made history if they had pursued their goals relying solely on inspiration)
Creating Your Inspiration Arsenal
What inspires one person may not necessarily have the same effect on another. The key is to curate a personal collection of inspirations. Keep a journal, take photos, collect quotes, or maintain a playlist of songs that elevate your spirit in times of need.
Do you know how many people come to work just to save up money and buy themselves, for example, a dream car? – Thousands! So what’s the problem, you might ask, that sounds great! The problem is that after some time YOU FORGET ABOUT THE DREAM FOR WHICH YOU STARTED WORKING! Do you understand? You got caught in a whirlwind of events, people, and situations, and YOU FORGOT. And if you forgot what it was for, do you think you will be motivated? No, you will be fulfilling SOMEONE ELSE’S DREAMS through yourself. Sound familiar?
How to fan the spark of your inner fire?
The first thing to avoid is automatic behavior, which is when you do the same thing every day! You are not a robot, and if it’s the same routine daily, not only will you lose motivation, but you’ll also fall into despair. No, I’m not calling for irresponsibility or lack of discipline, not at all! I’m talking about something else, about a creative approach. Don’t repeat yourself, change yourself every day, and learn! Study what interests you, take short trips, attend conferences, and engage in sports, all of which will recharge your batteries. It’s very important to know yourself well, to recognize where you’re lazy and procrastinate, and where you need to push harder and do a bit more than yesterday.
Shining Examples in the Professional World
Look for mentors and peers who have traveled a similar path. Their experiences, challenges, and eventual successes can serve as both a roadmap for you and a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for remarkable achievement.
You’ve probably never thought about this) When a little child is born, basic instincts help to survive, but not to LIVE FULLY! Without a MENTOR(s) in the form of parents, they would never learn to speak, walk upright, express their desires, get what they want… Understand? WITHOUT those to learn from, without a person who knows more, can do more, and has achieved more, we would never learn!!! You must have an example to follow, to have a distance for growth, where you can judge yourself by the results.
Inner Motivation VS Crafting Goals with Precision
And here we come to the essence of our article: what is better? Internal motivation or precise goal setting? The question itself is incorrect, as internal motivation generates goal setting (that is, of course, if you are an active player and not a passive observer for whom goals are set by others). What is important to note for yourself, having figured out what you want to achieve and objectively assessing yourself, you move on to setting a goal. If you want something illusory, that’s what you will end up with; be sober. You combine your heart and mind, one pulls forward while the other helps you work with the surrounding world, learning, and training skills. Very little has been said about discipline, but I think, as an adult, you must understand that without it, you won’t get far.
Either you push yourself forward or the surrounding world (people, situations, circumstances) will do it for you, and in this case, you will often find yourself suffering, gaining negative experiences, becoming weaker, and blaming everyone around you. Tempting? – I don’t think so. In such a case, take your life into your own hands and start moving forward with small steps, not being afraid of mistakes (you shouldn’t be afraid of them; they are an integral part of our life, the important thing is not to repeat the same ones over and over and to soberly assess your abilities to avoid trouble).
A few final words
In conclusion, the pursuit of unstoppable motivation and confident goal-setting is not a one-time event. It is an ongoing process that demands self-awareness, structure, and adaptability. By understanding the roots of motivation, you give your goals a solid footing from which to grow. By setting SMART objectives, you cast your vision into the world with clarity and purpose. And through tenacity, the ability to overcome self-doubt, and by seeking inspiration, you stoke the fires of action that will see your goals realized.
This isn’t the end. It’s only the beginning of an exciting and fulfilling personal and professional life. Through continuous motivation and purposeful goal setting, the adventures that lay ahead are limited only by the horizons of your imagination. Take the first step now, and the next will reveal itself in due course.
