The primary reason why we procrastinate is that we are not motivated enough. And there isn’t one single factor that determines motivation. In this article, we discuss the three factors that influence self-motivation.
I know that I am supposed to do a particular activity like an assignment, study a book, or write letters. But I tend to postpone these indefinitely, citing various excuses.
The primary reason why we procrastinate is that we are not motivated enough. Being a mentor for a bunch of young talented students in a leading MBA college allows me in a position where I can see a lack of self-motivation as one of the most giant stumbling blocks in student and professional life.
And there isn’t one single factor that determines motivation.
Charles Handy talks about 3 things that are required in motivational calculus.
- I should know my needs. These can be the need for security, money, food, clothing, shelter, or need for companionship, approval, or a need to fulfill my debt to various people.
- I should know which activity would satisfy all or some of these needs.
- I should have the energy or the resources (money, time, etc.) to spend on those activities.
The above are multiplicative. If any of the three is not there, I would not be motivated.
If I do not know my needs, no activity will motivate me.
If I do not have the energy or the resources, I cannot finish the activity satisfactorily.
If I do not know how to satisfy my needs, then I will not be motivated.
Therefore, I have to link the activity (that I dislike) to a need. For example, if I fear that I will fail a course and therefore need to pass it and get rid of my fear, I can link an assignment to that need. On the other hand, suppose I need the approval of my colleagues, and the distasteful activity will satisfy that need. In that case, I will try to do the exercise.
Whether I finish, the activity is based on the resources at hand. Suppose I do not have the time or delay it so much that I cannot possibly finish. In that case, I am not motivated to do the activity, even if I know that the movement will satisfy a need.
The same principle holds good for motivating others. For example, suppose I do not know the needs of another person. In that case, I cannot offer him an activity that would satisfy the requirements.
If I know his needs and link it to an activity that I want him to do and provide him with the means and resources (including training) to do that activity, the person will be motivated.
Remove any three (needs, activity, or resources), and there will be no motivation.
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