Ever wondered how to better motivate your teams or what triggers your own motivation?

Executive Summary

Research shows that motivation can be significantly enhanced by providing individuals with the opportunity to make their own choices, thereby fostering a sense of autonomy and self-determination. When tasks are framed as choices rather than directives, individuals feel more in control, which in turn, motivates them to tackle challenges more eagerly.

Self-motivation, on the other hand, is closely linked to personal values and goals. A compelling way to enhance self-motivation is by constantly reminding ourselves of the 'why' behind our actions.

To trigger and sustain motivation, it is essential to take deliberate actions that reinforce our sense of control and purpose. Simple acts, such as making a proactive choice in how we approach a task or consciously linking a task to a larger personal goal, can ignite motivation. The act of choosing not only asserts control but also connects us with our deeper motivations, making even mundane tasks feel significant.

• As leaders, we should empower our teams by providing them with opportunities to make choices, thus fostering a sense of autonomy and self-determination. For example, when your sales team is outlining their strategic account plan for the year, encourage them to define their own OKRs, while you offer guidance to ensure these are relevant and aligned with the organization's objectives.

• As individuals, by asserting control over our choices and environment, we can cultivate self-motivation. For instance, if you're struggling to find the motivation for a certain task, remind yourself of the 'why' behind it. If you're procrastinating over scheduling a challenging meeting, decide in advance where it will take place. The greater your sense of control over these tasks or decisions, the more you'll foster self-motivation.

In summary, motivation is deeply intertwined with a sense of autonomy, purpose, and support. By creating environments that nurture these elements and adopting practices that remind us of our larger goals, we can enhance both our own motivation and that of those around us.

Dig Deeper

Motivation is a complex and dynamic process, influenced by various psychological factors and external conditions. It's not merely an innate characteristic that some people possess and others lack; rather, it can be cultivated and triggered through specific strategies and environmental cues.

The first step in creating drive is giving people opportunities to make choices that provide them with a sense of autonomy and self-determination. In experiments, people are more motivated to complete difficult tasks when those chores are presented as decisions rather than commands. Motivation is triggered by making choices that demonstrate to ourselves that we are in control. The specific choice we make matters less than the assertion of control. It’s this feeling of self-determination that gets us going.

Employees work smarter and better when they believe they have more decision- making authority and when they believe their colleagues are committed to their success. A sense of control can fuel motivation, but for that drive to produce insights and innovations, people need to know their suggestions won’t be ignored, that their mistakes won’t be held against them. And they need to know that everyone else has their back.

Lessons from the Marine Corps

“Self-motivation becomes easier when we see our choices as affirmations of our deeper values and goals”, says Charles Duhigg in his enlighten book “Smarter Faster Better.[1]”

He further explains “That’s why Marine Corps recruits ask each other “why”: “Why are you climbing this mountain?”, “Why are you missing the birth of your daughter?”, “Why are you cleaning a mess hall, or doing push-ups, or running onto a battlefield when there are safer, easier ways to live?” Forcing ourselves to explain why we are doing something helps us remember that this chore is a step along a longer path, and that by choosing to take that journey, we are getting closer to more meaningful objectives.”

Actional Insights

Charles Duhigg recommends these practical exercises to generate motivation:

• "Make a choice that puts you in control. If you’re replying to emails, write an initial sentence that expresses an opinion or decision. If you need to have a hard conversation, decide where it will occur ahead of time. The specific choice itself matters less in sparking motivation than the assertion of control."

• "Figure out how this task is connected to something you care about. Explain to yourself why this chore will help you get closer to a meaningful goal. Explain why this matters—and then, you’ll find it easier to start."

Here's a deeper dive into how motivation is triggered and ways to generate it:

Understanding the Mechanisms Behind Motivation

1. Autonomy and Control: One of the primary drivers of motivation is the feeling of autonomy—the sense that you are in control of your actions and decisions. When individuals feel they have a choice in how they do their work or tackle a problem, they're more likely to be engaged and motivated. This sense of autonomy activates the reward centers in the brain, releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and satisfaction.

2. Competence and Mastery: The desire to improve, master new skills, and overcome challenges can also trigger motivation. As people recognize their own competence and growth in a particular area, their intrinsic motivation tends to increase. This is often referred to as the 'mastery orientation' and is a powerful motivator because it taps into the innate human drive to improve and excel.

3. Relatedness and Purpose: Feeling connected to others and believing that one's actions have a broader purpose or contribute to a larger cause can significantly boost motivation. When individuals see their work as meaningful and know that it impacts others positively, they're more likely to be motivated to continue and excel in their efforts.

Generating Motivation

1. Setting Clear, Achievable Goals: Goals provide direction and a sense of purpose. Setting clear, achievable goals can help in creating a roadmap towards what you want to achieve, thereby generating motivation. However, it's crucial to balance these with 'stretch goals'—ambitious goals that push you beyond your comfort zone, to inspire and motivate.

2. Providing Choice and Encouraging Autonomy: Allowing individuals the freedom to choose how they approach a task or solve a problem can significantly enhance motivation. This could be as simple as allowing employees to set their own schedules within reason or letting students choose the topic of a project within certain guidelines.

3. Building Competence through Feedback and Challenges: Providing constructive feedback and setting up incremental challenges can help individuals build competence and mastery over time. This, in turn, boosts their confidence and motivation to take on more significant challenges. It's important that these challenges are matched to the individual's current skill level to avoid overwhelming them and causing demotivation.

4. Creating Connections and Highlighting Purpose: Helping individuals see the bigger picture and how their work contributes to broader goals or impacts others can be a strong motivator. This could involve regularly sharing success stories within an organization, highlighting the impact of work on clients or the community, or connecting individual achievements to team or organizational goals.

5. Encouraging Small Wins: Breaking down larger tasks or goals into smaller, manageable components and celebrating these "small wins" can provide a continuous stream of motivation. These achievements, though small, can create a positive feedback loop that keeps individuals motivated over the long term.

6. Cultivating a Growth Mindset: Encouraging a growth mindset—the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work—can significantly enhance motivation. When individuals believe that effort leads to growth, they're more likely to embrace challenges and persist in the face of setbacks.

By understanding and leveraging these mechanisms and strategies, individuals and organizations can effectively trigger and sustain motivation, leading to improved performance, satisfaction, and overall well-being.

If you need help improving team performance and coaching, schedule a call or Contact me at lvanhuffel@croforscale.com

[1] Smarter Faster Better” Charles Duhigg – Random House.