Finding Your Motivation

The theory for motivation has been best described by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Peak motivation can be achieved when you become self-actualized – internally self motivated, however to get there you need to fulfil your lower level needs first.

At each level of this pyramid you will find factors that might be motivating you.  Working up from the base starts with the physical needs – food, housing etc that we need.  If you don’t have these needs met then you would be strongly motivated to satiate them.  Note however, that they are not good motivators to achieve great things in life.  You will never compose an orchestral masterpiece if you can’t afford food and are living on the street.

The next level is Safety, which includes job safety and personal safety.  When you live in fear of not knowing how long you’ll be employed or if the city you live in is safe enough then you will be motivated to mitigate that risk.

Love and Belonging.  Humans have emotional needs to have friends, and family connections that are strong.  Building and maintaining these personal connections can be a strong motivator.

The need for self-esteem and self-respect is important.  People with low self-esteem may be motivated to impress others in order to gain respect.  However, your perception of how others perceive you is not always accurate, and the drive to impress is not an effective way to fulfill this need.  Self-respect comes from within.

At the top of the pyramid is self-actualization.  This is the need to reach your personal full potential. The more time and focus you have to devote to this need the more you are likely to achieve in life.  Someone who is fully self-actualized has all their lower needs met, and can devote all their efforts at pushing their own potential.

Knowing where your needs are is the key to identifying you motivations.