Find out what makes you tick

Image by Leo Reynolds via Flickr

What makes you tick?

This question sounds like one of those philosophical why am I here type questions. Believe it or not, what makes you tick can be reduced to four key elements, and they all have to do with how you think about the task you want to accomplish.

ability: I can do this task!

effort: I will put effort into doing this task!

value: I think this task is meaningful!

payoff: I will get something out of this task when I'm done!


So, it's true, someone can't motivate (read: force) you to do you don't want to do. Your drive comes from within you.

Here's how it works. Let's take exercise.

Most of us have the ability to move more and eat less. We value a healthy lifestyle and truly look forward to that payoff of a flat belly. BUT, the effort it takes to make a salad when everyone else is eating pizza...not so much. Motivation has left the building!

Just knowing these four elements of motivation is empowering. Recognition of the problem is the first step towards a solution.

Where is your motivational breakdown?

Maybe you are telling yourself that you lack the ability to create a web page--then learn! Maybe you can't find the payoff down the road from returning to school--what about the sense of accomplishment? Maybe you're sitting in a mandatory meaning and can't find the value in doing what your boss is proposing--find one component of your boss' message that you agree with and start there, don't force yourself to accept the whole thing! Maybe the example about exercise was talking to you, and you lack the effort to work out alone--then find a workout buddy!

Find whatever is holding you back and STOMP on it! Today is a new day and the world is waiting for your next breakthrough!