The Rationale Behind Motivation

How do you define motivation--or how does it work? If you try to search or find it in the dictionary or any thesaurus, it may give definitions that describe the ‘stir to action’, or the ‘inner drive’ in taking the first step to do something. For instance, “I need the needed motivation to start eating correctly,” or “I am not motivated to start dieting.” Nevertheless, there’s another point of view about it that could be considered. Well, how about making a choice rather than waiting for that motivation to start eating healthily or start exercising in the gym or whatever the action is? “I choose to start eating correctly”—means I am merely making a choice. nnIt also means that I am not waiting and waiting for motivation to just hit me and make me start a diet plan. This is what will make me move from just waiting inactively to actively pursing and eventually reaching for a goal. Anybody that’s just waiting for the motivation to do something is stuck in passiveness. Although waiting is synonymous to the phrases, ‘to be ready’ and ‘be prepared for’, it is also similar to the words ‘delay’ and ‘postpone’. And the problem with being in a state of passive inactivity is that there is no change in position or moving forward. nnAnd in this case, one could just be literally delaying or postponing something to happen. Life is there to be actively involved in and not just seeing it passes you by. Watching people live their own lives and only waiting for the fire to ignite would only postpone your dreams. However, this is precisely what some individuals are doing when waiting for motivation to stir things up. If on the other hand you make a choice in dieting and eating properly, there is forward and progressive motion. This does not mean that motivation is already uselessly dismissed. Actually, after making that choice and the decision is a final, it steps in and marches forward. nnOnce the choice is done to eat properly, now, do you realize what is it that keeps you sticking to your diet plan? Yes, exactly. It’s motivation. Don’t think of it as the propulsion that would transport you from a halt to motion. It doesn’t grow on inactivity and passivism. Whenever there is movement, it would keep the momentum going. It is like a driving force mechanism. Think of it as the strength that impels your desired motion in a given direction. So think of an aspect in your life where you are just simply waiting for it. If you find that particular aspect, then it all depends on your attitude. nnJust change your attitude and make a decision and stand by it. These are areas in your life where you need to finally arrive at a decision. Anything or something you’ve been desiring to achieve and you’re not taking any action towards it, doesn’t need motivation. Once you are in motion, motivation will perform and play its part well. Let this be the stirring force that not only gets you moving, but instead keeps you moving—ahead.