Motivation Versus Purpose: the Real Way to Success
Posted: Monday, June 16, 2008
by Mitch Williams
Mitch Williams Magic Productions
A surprisingly large body of popular information and products have grown up in recent years around "motivational" techniques, strategies, and philosophies. In studying many of them over the years, I've come to believe that a huge percentage of this amounts to little more than pumped up emotional hype, very similar to the emotional manipulation used in the advertising industry.
Positive emotions can be valuable if used properly, and emotional discipline is certainly something which we should all work towards, putting our focus whenever possible on positive experience, and withdrawing our energy from negative, self defeating ones. However, it's simply not enough. The emotions are fleeting, abstract, and undependable. And while most of us are centered largely in our emotions, few of us have a true ability to consistently and effectively harness, channel, and direct our emotions productively, on their own, in any sort of dependable way. Placing the majority of our attention on this emotional arena more often than not just intensifies the problem. If your main strategy for accomplishment is based on staying in a pumped up emotional state, you're practically guaranteed to be disappointed.
And in my view, relying exclusively on the emotions is not only counterproductive, but also unnecessary. There is a better way.
We so often tend to think of "using our will" in purely emotional terms. But true willingness goes deeper and encompasses much more than just the emotions. It touches mental, physical, and often even spiritual dimensions as well. The key is having a true sense of purpose; one that can give you direction and carry you through difficulties, regardless of your emotional state at any given moment. Having a purpose or a sense of a "mission", especially one that is "bigger than we are" gives our lives meaning, direction, and provides the energy and conviction to push on even when our emotions may be letting us down.
An inspiring sense of purpose will provide determination, stamina, and persistence when simple emotionally based "motivation" will not. Motivation moves in inconsistent fits and starts, whereas a sense of purpose has consistency and endurance far beyond what can be gained through any fleeting emotional state. Purpose can keep us on track and moving forward even when we are experiencing sadness, grief, disappointment, or other painful emotional states.
What is it that you value? What holds true meaning and inspiration in your life? What is it that you would do even if you didn't get paid to do it? Usually something like just "making more money" or getting a promotion won't be enough. Unless, of course, you're making money for some greater purpose, such as supporting your family or contributing to a worthy cause of some sort.
And the more people that your "mission" or purpose touches and benefits, the more inspiring it is likely to be. In a world that seems more and more to be dedicated to largely selfish, materialistic indulgences, I believe that our souls are crying out for meaning and purpose. And if we're willing to listen, our souls will tell us what to do.
Listen to your intuition and allow it to guide you to that which inspires you to greater action and commitment. It will usually involve some form of service to others in one way or another, because purely personal gain is generally not enough on its own to fill our deeper need for purpose and meaning.
In the business world, inspiring employees with a greater sense of mission and purpose is the one sure way to build consistent teamwork, effectiveness, and true success. How does your company serve and benefit its customers, community, and society? Sorry, but building more stockholder profit is simply not enough. You need a bigger, more inspiring picture; one that your employees and staff can get behind with heart and soul, and one to which they can be proud to commit and dedicate themselves. Service is the keyword here. Service to others is the most direct source of purpose.
Of course, finding purpose is not as easy as simply stirring up emotional motivation. It takes real thought, attention, honesty, and sincerity. But it has far more depth, more meaning, and will provide a true and lasting drive for accomplishment and carry us through the tough times in a way that mere emotional motivation cannot begin to approach.
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