Understanding Motivation
There are two types of motivation: internal and external.
(Not scientific proof, just my observations)
External motivation is energy coming from outside of you to create movement.
This can be a variety of things – podcasts, motivational speeches, music, deadlines, expectations, pressure.
Internal motivation is energy coming from inside of you to create movement.
This consists of the Six Higher Faculties presented by Bob Proctor – imagination, will, intuition, perception, memory, reason, as well as whatever internal pull you may feel through purpose.
The difference between the two is that one is finite while the other is infinite.
Why External Motivation Fails
Think of external motivation like a battery.
You have no energy or motivation, you want to take action, but you need something outside of you to get started. So you listen to an inspirational podcast, one of those motivational videos where speakers yell at you (I do love me some Eric Thomas), or put on a bangin’ or rockin’ song like “Super Bass” by Nicki Minaj, “Put Some Sugar On Me” by Def Leopard, or, I don’t know, maybe you rock out to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.
No matter the song or container, after a while, the battery starts to drain. The strings in Symphony No. 5 really used to get you going, but now, it has no affect on you. What are you going to do?!
Sure, you could find another song, but Beethoven only has so many bangers and the same thing happens.
Not motivated. Gets external motivation. Doesn’t last. Stops taking action.
What Internal Motivation Actually Is
Now, with internal motivation, the battery is much more powerful because it doesn’t ever run out. And the reason for that is the almighty powerful source of your battery is God, The Universe, Spirit, Infinite Energy – and you are the conductor through which the energy flows through.
Even though I say the battery power is infinite does not mean I’m not saying that you can work forever, nonstop, or that you’ll never be tired and need to take rest. I also do not mean that you can’t ever listen to a hot song or have someone yell at you to get you going.
The difference is intention.
Person 1: Uses external motivation such as Super Bass to workout. Eventually that song runs out of its power.
Person 2: Uses internal motivation to take action and workout, and listens to Super Bass because it’s a great song and reminds them to hit their glutes.
Person 1 uses the external motivation as a crutch. Person 2 uses it as a tool – and entertainment.
Internal Motivation in Action
Internal motivation is exactly why it’s 8:33pm on a Friday night and I’m sitting at my desk writing this blog.
I mean, how is it that after a full day at a co-working space – 10am-6pm – I came back, made dinner, watched an hour long show, and easily turned it off the TV (and comfort) to grab my computer and start typing?
I didn’t listen to music. I didn’t read a motivational quote. And I certainly didn’t have anyone yelling at me. Yes, luckily no one on the streets of NYC was in the mood today.
I did it because of my internal motivation, using the Six Higher Faculties.
Imagination: I imagined myself writing this blog and it being ready to go out on Monday.
Will: I willed it into existence by simply taking action toward it. And let’s applaud the past Shay’s who have created and continually built this blog for current Shay to bring these words to existence.
Intuition: The exact topic of internal vs. external motivation has been in my head for days, maybe weeks, and this was all through my intuition – knowing someone needs to hear this.
Memory: I used my memory to recall how last week I waited until the last minute and I felt that I wanted to do it differently this week. I also used my memory to remember how much I love to write, share ideas, grow this blog, and be consistent for myself and my audience.
Reason: The reason I use is because of the work that I do as an Alignment Coach and that I want to get these ideas out into the world.
Perception: And I used perception because I perceive myself as someone who writes her ideas in her blog and puts them out every Monday – not because of pressure, force, external motivation, or someone telling me that “I can do anything!” – but because I want and choose to.
Did I do all of this consciously?
No.
I did it because I’ve practiced it.
The Shift
To be honest, when I first had the idea of external vs. internal motivation, I didn’t realize I would be forming it around Bob Proctor’s six higher faculties – but it fits so perfectly!
Bob Proctor emphasized using these Intellectual and Inner World faculties so you could rise above your physical circumstances and get results in your life.
External motivation isn’t bad, but understand it is a tool, not a crutch.
Practice deeply connecting with your Inner World, what you truly desire, and allow that to pull you to take action on what matters most.
Have you been using external motivation to create movement in your life? How could you connect with your inner world this week? What would that look like?
Til next time,
Shay
If this shifted something for you, and you want support applying this to your own life or creative work…
I offer 1:1 coaching where we unpack the stories that are keeping you stuck and help you move from clarity instead of pressure.
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