Books, blogs, websites, DVDs, trainings and speeches. There are enough sources for motivational words out there to keep you pumped a lifetime. But, do you need that? Is using them constantly a good idea?
I remember something Zig Ziglar said about motivation: “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing - that’s why we recommend it daily.” If the idea here is simply that of daily motivation, I think he’s right. But if the subtext is that of looking daily for words of wisdom from others to get yourself motivated in a certain area (and it probably is), Zig may be the man is some aspects, but I disagree with him on this one.
I believe seeking motivational words daily, in the same area, over and over again, actually reflects there is something wrong with your personal development process. Here’s why. What is the role of motivational words? It is:
- To make you more aware of the benefits certain actions offer;
- To get you exited and motivated to act in that certain way.
However, there is only so far motivational words which come from other people can sustain you in the process of acting. Eventually, you will need to be able to remind yourself of the benefits certain actions have, you will need to get yourself motivated and excited to act. In changing yourself or your life a certain way, motivational words can help to get the wheels moving, but they are not an effective way to keep them going. This has to come for the most part, from within.
I have met a lot of people who constantly seek motivational words on the same couple of fundamental themes: be yourself, live with passion, stop approval seeking. Oddly enough, these are usually the people who make the least progress in being themselves, living with passion or stopping approval seeking.
Why? Because they don’t know how to keep the wheels moving themselves long enough for the change process to take place. They rely on external motivation, which keeps them advancing in a very slow pace. They get pumped up for 30 minutes, and then it’s back to the drawing board.
Real change
If you wanna see real change happen, complement using motivational words from others with some other strategies for keeping yourself on your path. Strategies like:
- Visualizing your goals and imagining how it will be, how it will feel when they are real;
- Setting intermediary goals, breaking the change process in small, doable steps;
- Acknowledging the progress, rewarding it and looking at the positive things;
- Anticipating obstacles, relapses, and finding effective ways to deal with them.
Changing yourself, changing your life in a certain area is usually a process based on a lot of action and a lot of repetition. Yes, you need daily motivation, just like bathing, but not from some website, some self-improvement book or guy doing a speech. From a certain point forward, motivational words have mostly done their task in that area. You need to pick the ball and play it from there.
Not doing this and going back to seeking more words of wisdom from others to get yourself motivated is a sign that you are mis-balancing the use of external motivators and the use of internal ones. This is not the solution for effective change.
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I personally find motivational words very useful, but I always remind myself that the long-term motivation should come from within me. Sometimes, communicating with yourself in thoughts helps in bringing out that self-motivation when you need it.
.-= Julius´s last blog ..A Day in the Life of a Person with a Cognitive Disability =-.
That’s the idea Julius. Combining the external with the internal. Otherwise, I think the external can become a motivational crutch.
There are different types of motivation, though, and not all motivation has is connected to a particular reward. In fact, the most motivating activities one can do are intrinsically motivating. These are things that we do just for the sake of doing it, without thought of any reward.
The problem with goal based motivation is that we focus on the outcomes, and not the process of doing something. When the outcomes are not what we expect, our motivation takes a serious dip. It takes a lot of visualization, positive thinking etc to regain it.
Kenji,
I believe very much in intrinsic motivation. From my perspective, ultimately, this is the way to go.
Eduard,
I think I see your point, but Im not certain I agree with it entirely. I agree that internal motivation is fundamental to growth. However, healthy support networks that provide encouragement, and perhaps motivational words, are also vital to personal well-being. My experience as a coach and therapist is that having well developed social networks is directly correlated to mental well-being, and even personal success. Nobody accomplishes major goals alone.
I think as well it is important to understand that there are different types of motivation, beyond simple external and internal motivation. For instance, some people are motivated toward goals, and some are motivated away from negative consequences. Individuals are also motivated by different things. So one person may have an intense internal motivation to do something, while another may need a push from their external networks to achieve something that may be important, but maybe not very pleasant for them.
I guess my take on the topic is that seeking external support is usually a positive thing. In doing so, we recognize and acknowledge that we need it. Being able to recognize a weakness is in itself a sign of personal development.
Chris
.-= Chris Akins´s last blog ..Is your success killing you? =-.
Hey Chris,
Funny you should mention support networks, because I teach people how to build them and use them. I don’t think external motivation is all bad. I just think a lot of people rely too much on it and this sabotages their growth. In this case, motivation is not organic and it only produces short lived results.
I do think that self help/self improvement resources do have their place, especially if they give strategies for success instead of just pump up/get hyped type of stuff. I definitely agree that daily motivation is important – but it is incomplete without the visualizing you mentioned – it is incomplete without a vision, adapting, anticipating, etc…
.-= Jeremy Johnson´s last blog ..The Ant Philosophy =-.
Good point Jeremy. And vision is something which comes from the inside, even if it may be influenced by the outside.
Thank you for this post Eduard. There’s tons of motivation out there and it’s good to use them, but you can’t always rely on them to feel motivated all the time. Real motivation comes from within; that’s how you get action done to reach your goals. Everything else should be complimentary.
.-= Hulbert´s last blog ..Mark Cuban and Grit =-.
Hulbert, that’s my point exactly. Some people rely way too much on books, blogs, to get them pumped. It’s not effective and it’s an unnecessary burden.
Nice, nice, nice. I have found that the environmental stuff (quotes, blogs, books, etc.) can sometimes inspire deep, lasting change, but the really powerful change truly comes from working inside out. Actually, I subsribe to the belief that the point is not to change at all, but rather to become more ourselves. The good stuff is already inside – we just have to peel off all the exterior crap. With that perspective, it makes total sense that working at the deeper levels is what really matters and getting hung up on someone else’s words can actually be counter-productive!
Thanks Joy. I think you are spot on with that last sentence. When you’re hung up on someone else’s words, it can actually backfire.
Well you certainly have a hot discussion going on here. I love motivation and motivating. I also know it’s only part of the picture and that’s what you’re saying here. I can’t tell you how many people tell me they feel uplifted when they are with me and after they leave. So I also think we can be motivational without even trying…it’s all to do with energy. And then action, action and more action weather we’re adding to or releasing from our personalities.
Right Tess. Motivating yourself externally is only part of the picture. But when you make it te whole picture, it becomes ineffective.
I agree that an over-reliance on motivation “from the outside in” is not a sound strategy. I also personally find that reading too much motivational material too often leads to a sort of familiarity-blindness where the words just lose all meaning and have no effect on me…
However, I’m a fairly regular reader of motivational and inspirational material and one of spaect of it which is important to me is the “social proof” side of things. That is to say I like to be around stuff that reassures me that what I am doing is right, that there are greater possibilities for me and that all this effort is worthwhile!
Thanks for the article – it made me think.
Gareth
Gareth, I know that blindness feeling. It’s like you can read very powerful stuff, to which you no longer react, because your mind has gotten used to it, and so you no longer put it into practice either. This sounds very common.
Thanks for the great article. Motivation is great but there is no substitute for effective action. It’s great to fill your mind with quotes and words that leave you in the highest expression of yourself while daily taking steps to make it real. Like you said, real change comes with “action and a lot of repetition.”
I’m glad you like it Rob.
Eduard,
Thanks for the post.
While I definitely love motivational words, I have found that what really makes me motivated is to simply do work that I love.
However, there are obviously times when things are difficult and this is when motivational words can really help. But they complement my core motivation and are not my primary motivation.
.-= Greg Blencoe´s last blog ..10 must-read posts from some of my favorite bloggers =-.
Greg, I really like the idea of doing what you love. It makes a lot of sense in relation with personal development, which I think is more about practice than theory.
Nice, I remember my mentor ever said to me like this, “No matter how many books you read, no matter how many seminars you attend, no matter how good you are in the college, it’s useless if you never apply what you learn”
.-= Ben Tien´s last blog ..5 Rules to Increase Your Optimism via NLP Reframe =-.
Hi Ben. Smart mentor. Very practical
Hi Eduard
Interesting observation. What you are saying is there needs to be a balance between ‘Theory’ and ‘Practice’. Too much of theorizing is not useful beyond a point. The actual benefits will accrue from practice alone.
Still, my personal experience says that we should not discount the power of repeated reinforcement. It has a definite role to play in keeping you on track, till your new avatar become secondary nature.
On the flip side of course, you constant hunger for new material can often lead you to information that can actually halt you in your tracks, or worse, set you back somewhat. That’s something to lookout for in this journey.
Rakesh
Hi Rakesh. I believe repetition is very important. Also keep in mind though that there is a second important variable here: assimilating the external and making it internal. For me. effectiveness comes when you combine these two.
Feeling De-motivated can be a motivation in itself to get motivated!
Not many people understand that very simple concept in that they want to feel motivated all the time but they don’t understand that the true growth occurs when you’re being tested or going through challenges. I can atest to that from the experiences I’ve been through in the last few years.
And you’re right Eduard, there is so much more to it than just mere words.
.-= Amit Sodha – The Power Of Choice´s last blog ..500th Post Celebration – A Big Free Unique iPod Giveaway =-.
Brilliant Amit! Using the state of de-motivation to generate motivation. I think it takes some understanding of human emotions to do this, but you’re right: it can be done.
Agree with you. To a certain extent, looking for motivational words in a way to face what is.
While taking action you’ll find your own motivational words or patterns that will best work for you.
Cheers
I think self-motivation is one of the strongest forces. If you need the words of someone else constantly, then really what are you working for? Don’t get me wrong, I love getting pumped up, but getting pumped from within is the BEST! Awesome post man.
.-= Alex Monroe´s last blog ..Keep On Hustling! =-.
Well said. IT’s often easy to get into the trap of information/motivation junkie. These are the people who go to seminars, read books, do everything, but like you said never make any progress with their efforts. That’s because they’re often too busy reading and not implementing. It’s only when you start implementing the ideas that you come across that you really make changes,
Motivation junkies: I wrote about those people somewhere on my blog. Cause I know so many of them.
Hi Eduard,
How paradoxical to find an article re motivational words that could be considered lacking alone on a website that actively encourages change! This I find confusing but certainly do not mean to criticize, its just that I observed a little irony here. I believe that everything positive must indeed come from the individual, but when that individual is all grown up and resistant to change, sometimes wisdom is a great factor in moving forwards, and wisdom is imparted through language and therefore words. I am struggling but battling my own motivational demons and feel I would have given up for now if it weren’t for those people before me who have learned from experience. Whilst I agree wholeheartedly that actions speak louder than words, sometimes, anyone feeling lost can be truly inspired towards action through words! Thank you for thought provoking post that serves to remind me that as a mere human, sometimes I thrive simply on the moral support proffered through words!
Kind Regards,
Annette
Hey Annette,
That’s very clever to see the paradox. You could say I’m using motivational words to get people to stop seeking other motivational words. Sort of fighting fire with fire. I know words can have a lot of power, but from a certain point, you can leverage it better if those words come from the inside.
Haha. Fantastic post! I defend a very similar position in an article I wrote some time ago.
Sorry for “advertising”, but I link to it because I think it can complement this article with some other ideas!
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Ultimate-Motivation-For-Peak-Performance&id=4043078
I think it boils down to belonging. If we feel external motivation belongs to us, we feel that fire inside to succeed. If we feel external motivation doesn’t belong to us, we consider it fake, even if subconsciously, and we need to do something ourselves to create motivation that belongs to us.
Great post
.-= Vasco Patrício´s last blog ..Students’ 5 Steps to Perfect Grades: Step 1 (Patricio Peak Performance Exclusive) =-.
Eduard, thanks for your post. I think you make a point that has a lot of depth to it.
For a long time, success for me was finding inner peace, finding truth shall I say. I used to need a LOT of external support and example and assistance to help me stay on this path.
But then a change occurred. Somewhere along the way I suddenly realized I didn’t need to search for “something” to fill my void any longer. I realized that what was capable of truly filling that void — the only thing ultimately — was already present within myself.
Somewhere along the way it can become very draining to have to rely on the brilliant words of others to help keep us going. Doesn’t mean we can’t still appreciate what others offer that is a help and blessing to us.
But we ultimately must find our essential wisdom and fire — and success — from within. Thanks agasin. All the very best in all your endeavors.
Hey Christopher,
That’s a great personal story. I went trough something similar and it is this experience mostly which made me realize that real change comes from within.
That was awesome advice Eduard. I vote for visualization. Everything else you sugessted works wonders too. Words of motivation are great but we need something else to keep us going.
.-= Lana – {Daring Clarity}´s last blog ..Selling Sucks: the truth behind selling Your Thing. Your Art. Your Love. =-.
Good to see we’re on the same page Lana
Nice post. I like the line from Zig Ziglar – we really should update motivation daily. Acknowledging my progress is probably the hardest step – I always want more. -.-
.-= Craig Thomas´s last blog ..How To Effectively Change Someone’s Mind =-.
Zig Ziglar is memorable.
I like it, The post in its self was a motivational one!
This is such a vital point Eduard. All we have to do is think about the definition of motivation. What is motivation for? Motivation means giving of reason to act: “the act of giving somebody a reason or incentive to do something.” Some antonyms are: incentive, inspiration, drive, enthusiasm, impetus, stimulus. All of these point to action. Feeling motivated without taking action is like feeling awake and energetic but refusing to get out of bed. It’s basically meaningless.
.-= Jonathan – Advanced Life Skills´s last blog ..67 Personal Development Pitfalls to Avoid =-.
I like your logic Jonathan. And, to continue it, only taking action on external motivations (like the words of others) means you are depended on them in order to do something with your life. Which can make them a crutch.
Excellent point Eduard. Thanks for bringing it up.
.-= Jonathan – Advanced Life Skills´s last blog ..67 Personal Development Pitfalls to Avoid =-.
Great article, I will keep follow your posts , check out my blog – Bluexe
.-= bluexe´s last blog ..Meatless Friday at Cibo =-.
I think there is too much gravitas given to finding and using motivational words sometimes called buzz words. People are now artificially trying to coin words and phrases so they become associated with them. Stay away from negative and deflating words and thoughts then the rest become more motivational as a result. Old phrases and easy thinking is still as worthy today as its ever been.
.-= John Sherry´s last blog ..3 Special Words that Change Your Life =-.