Motivation theory is based on what gets people to take action and do the things they are doing. Motivation theory is also widely misunderstood and needs to be understood for motivation to be effective. I have invested numerous hours in understanding motivation theory and applications, to now say what is real and what is not. I am now able to soar higher in life based on these actions.
First, let’s understand the definition of motivation as per motivation theory. Motivation is defined as a motive to act. What gets you out of bed in the morning? Why do you go to work?
Most people would answer: “I get up to go to work and I go to work to make money.” This is the answer you hear from audiences all over the world. This kind of an answer can lead people to believe that motivation theory is all about money, and it is not!
Money is not a significant part of motivation theory, although it does play a role.
When I ask people why do you go to work, I almost always get the answer “to make money.” I rarely accept the first answer I get from anyone, as it is usually not the pure, deep down truth. So I always ask again to get the truth.
To get to the truth, I apply what I call the rule of three plus – I question the answer, question the answer and question the answer until I feel I have gone deep enough.
Whenever I questioned, and questioned the answers, I would learn more about motivation theory. I would get to a deeper level of understanding.
In this case where I would question why one goes to work, I would almost always get the answer “to make money.” When I question that answer “money to do what?”, I get an answer like “to live a certain lifestyle.” When I question that answer and keep questioning the answers, I finally get that inner sole to speak out.
People go to work because they have a dream. Let’s understand the types of motivation in motivation theory. There is external motivation which is never lasting like money, and then there is internal motivation which is everlasting such as dreams. Which of the two do you think motivation theory is based upon verses what society thinks? How much time do we spend on external motivation, verses internal motivation?
The bottom line is that the proper application of motivation theory is from one’s internal source, one’s dreams. In order for motivation theory to be effective and everlasting, it has to be internal and not externally driven. Work can sometimes be simply a stepping stone to getting where you want to go. Once you know where you want to go, and know how work helps to get you there, you become more motivated about going to work. Basically anything that helps you get where you want to go, based on your internal desires, will be exciting and motivating. If it is externally driven, it will be temporary. Why not invest in everlasting results?
