Thryvelabs

Daily Drop

What if you’re not de-motivated… You’re just not motivated by what motivated you before? or maybe you’re not motivated by societal ideals.

What happens when someone lacks motivation? What is causing them to feel that way? And have you ever experienced periods of time of extreme motivation, and other times where its felt nonexistent?

Usually we are motivated based on the outcome, the results, what we get out of it. We work towards things to complete them and be rewarded, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But what if there’s a better way?…

Imagine being motivated by the process, not the results, or the fruit of the labour, but engaged in the process to the point where we aren’t focused on the end, we’re simply engaged in the process.

If we can adopt this way of being, our work will become immensely more satisfying for us. We will also paradoxically probably earn more by not focusing as much on the financial side of it, by putting all our energy and focus into our craft, we increase the likelihood of success.

So when you don’t feel motivated… Maybe you're focusing on the outcome, what you’ll get out of it, instead of on the input, the process, the grind the journey.

Another possibility is if you're not engaged, maybe you don’t enjoy what you do, or feel any purpose from it. If its just something you do to get by, it’s likely not a very motivating mission.

Our work should call us, drive us like a purpose we must complete, a destiny to fulfill, we have people to serve and problems to solve. There should be something in the work, more rewarding than the material rewards we get for the work.

If the work feels mind numbing and pointless, it probably is. And it’s difficult for anyone to be motivated in that environment.

So when you’re struggling for motivation, ask yourself… Am I focused on the process right now or am I dreaming about the end result.

Another reason for lack of motivation can be lack of meaning. If you feel no motivation, that likely means you feel no purpose so no desire to get after it. The solution for this is to find fulfilling work. Something that keeps you engaged, interested, curious, maybe even a little obsessed.

So my question for you today is… What will you try next time you feel like you’re low on motivation?