Motivation is generally seen as the driving force behind one’s actions, the reason that we choose to act in certain ways. The scientific definition of motivation is the psychological processes that influence the energy, direction, and persistence of human behavior. Naturally, motivation requires motives, which are the needs, emotions, and cognitions that influence or cause a person’s behavior. There are two types of motives: internal and external. The motives that originate within the person are known as internal motives. The need motive is the drive to acquire what one’s physical and mental body require to function optimally, such as water, food, and shelter. Cognitions are internal motives of thought and thought processes that produce the purpose of one’s energy. Goals, values, standards, desires, one’s “hopes and dreams” are all cognitions that serve as motives. A highly influential internal motive is emotion, which is defined as responses to stimuli within one’s environment that are usually associated with non-verbal expression and physiological changes, causing the manifestation of a behavior. Emotions are innumerable and dynamic, with their expression and influential ability very dependent upon each person’s personality. Anything that happens or exists in one’s surrounding environment can influence each of these internal motives, and these environmental influences are known as external motives. Societal beliefs, religion, family, friends, school, social media, sports, and work are just a handful of what can constitute as external motives.
We have all experienced times in our lives where it seems we have lost all of our motivation, especially our internal motivation. At their worst, these periods of time can lead us to feel as though we have lost all sense of direction, purpose, and ultimately self identity. In a perfect world, we would be constantly motivated by inspiring thoughts, fueled by positive emotions, and driven by our needs. However, we don't live in a perfect world (not even close), and if we were missing internal motivation, we might seek it by external means, such as searching the internet for motivational pictures of your goal body when you feel too tired to go to the gym. For some, motivation could be driven by a subconscious need to be in constant pursuance of a goal, because they fear the emptiness that they believe would consume them should they simply let themselves be still. But being still or giving yourself a break from the constant forward movement toward a goal doesn't mean your motivation will disappear forever or that your inaction renders you worthless. Being still can be a necessary process in the development or rediscovery of your authentic desires and the internal motivations you have within to pursue those goals. Internal motivation, in its highest sense, is the drive to constantly create and improve the best version of yourself, no matter how many times you have to start over.
Simply put, the energy, direction, and endurance of motivation are easily manipulated through both internal and external motives. One can consciously create motivation whenever it is needed, and recreate it should it be lost. I have learned that motivation requires strength, purpose, and endurance and those were all things I had felt were out of my reach during those low points in life. By understanding the psychology underlying motivation, I recognize that I have the ability to motivate myself by learning to control my thoughts, manage my emotions, and take care of my physical body. I know that in order to continue rebuilding and strengthening my sense of self and purpose I must continuously find motivation through internal and, if necessary, external means. To control my thoughts – and in turn, my emotions – the practice of meditation has been profoundly useful. Meditation has improved my mental health and my physical health immensely, and the self-awareness that accompanies its practice has healed and continues to heal my past traumas and emotional wounds. The acceptance of being still is made easier by meditation, and I have found that in allowing myself to be still and in the present moment, I eventually do rediscover my purpose, and, in turn, find that my motivation to continue to grow is as strong as it has ever been.
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