Motivation matters, but it’s often misunderstood. We talk about it like it’s all-or-nothing – you either have it or you don’t. But most of us are motivated to do something. Some are motivated to do nothing. And nobody is motivated to do everything.
Motivation, like beauty, really is in the eye of the beholder. What inspires one person can leave another person cold. What seems like “laziness” from the outside might actually be motivation to conserve energy, avoid discomfort, or resist something that doesn’t feel meaningful.
Here’s a thought: the next time you hear someone described as “not very motivated” – or you catch yourself thinking that way about yourself, add one little word: “at” or “about.”
- “She isn’t very motivated about exercising.”
- “He isn’t very motivated at studying for exams.”
- “I’m not very motivated about cleaning the house.”
Or, add a qualifier. Framing it as a temporary or a particular situation will relate your ‘unmotivated’ state relative to the here and now, rather than a more general, personal quality in yourself (and therefore something judgmental, and over which you lack control)
- “I don’t feel very motivated to take a walk in the rain.”
- “I find it hard to be motivated to go to the gym after a hard day’s work.”
- “I’m not very motivated about cleaning the house until our guests have left.”
Suddenly, it’s more specific, less judgmental, and more useful. Nobody is totally without motivation. We all care about something – it just might not be obvious to others.
When you see motivation as specific and situational rather than fixed, it opens space for curiosity instead of criticism. It’s not about whether someone is motivated—it’s about what they’re motivated toward.
So , do you have a comment? Here’s a question for you:
👉 What’s something you find yourself highly motivated about—and what’s something you really struggle to feel motivated at?
👉 What’s something you find yourself highly motivated about—and what’s something you really struggle to feel motivated at?
Discover more from Barry Winbolt
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