The Motivation Myth: Why Relying Solely on Motivation Won't Guarantee Goal Achievement
In a world where motivational quotes flood our social media feeds and self-help gurus preach the power of inspiration, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing that motivation alone can drive us to achieve our goals. However, this notion often leaves individuals disillusioned and struggling to make meaningful progress. Let's explore why putting all your eggs in the motivation basket might not be the foolproof strategy it's often touted to be.
What is motivation?
Definition: According to ChatGPT, Motivation is the driving force or internal desire that prompts individuals to take action, set goals, and persist in achieving them. It is the energy that propels people toward accomplishing tasks, overcoming challenges, and fulfilling aspirations.
Simply put, motivation is what makes you FEEL like doing something. It’s an emotion! And like many emotions it is fed by chemicals in the brain, in this case, dopamine.
What is dopamine and what does it do?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger in the brain that plays a crucial role in motivation and reward-related behavior. Often referred to as the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, dopamine is released when the brain anticipates or experiences pleasurable sensations.
When we do something we enjoy or that gives us pleasure, we get a dose of dopamine. which makes us feel good.
A great example is when you eat your favorite food, that little high you get when it hits your taste buts and elicits the YUMMM. Even the anticipation of eating your favorite food releases the squirt of dopamine. Your mouth waters, you lick your lips, here it comes, deliciousness!
This leads to us wanting to do the enjoyable thing more so we can continue to feel good.
The problem is that many of the tasks involved with achieving our goals are not always pleasurable at the moment.
Or worse, they conflict with pleasure. Weight loss is a great example. By choosing to eat less of the foods we love, we are not getting our dopamine fix.
When you deprive yourself by NOT eating the cake, NOT skipping the workout, NOT sleeping in, NOT playing a video game, watching YouTube, or being on social media, your brain objects!
Our brain would rather convince us to go for the instant gratification and receive pleasure. And so begins the excuses and procrastination.
Motivation is never there when you really need it.
It’s like a rainy weather friend, abandoning you when the going gets tough.
Goals are rarely achieved without facing challenges and setbacks. When the initial motivation wanes, you may struggle to persevere through tough times. Without some solid tools, the first obstacle can become a roadblock, hindering progress.
So what do we do when striving for our goals starts to get tough and no longer brings us any pleasure?
Motivation hacks: What to do when you don’t “feel like it”
Remember your WHY
If you haven’t done so already, make a list of WHY your goal is important to you. What is the end game and why is is worth it? Keep this in the forefront of your mind. You can write one WHY a day and put it somewhere you will see it regularly.
Develop a mantra
Come up with a simple phrase like the Nike slogan “Just do it”. Mine is “you don’t have to want to, you just have to do it” There is research that supports this as a powerful tool for overcoming procrastination. When you’re having that argument with yourself, saying all the reasons you don’t feel like it, you will do it later, etc, saying your mantra actually shuts off the argument and propels you forward.
Don’t wait to feel “MOTIVATED”
You may NEVER feel motivated! Instead, tap into your other feelings such as “determined, strong, resilient, confident, committed.
When you hear yourself say, “I don’t feel “motivated”, counter that with one of the other feelings.
It will sound like:
I don’t feel motivated, but I DO feel committed
I don’t feel motivated, but I DO feel determined
I don’t feel like it, but I’m UNSTOPPABLE
Look at that! You just tricked yourself into feeling motivated.
While motivation has its time and place, it should be viewed as a catalyst rather than the sole driver of goal achievement.
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f you need help with achieving your goals contact Carrie Raap at R+ Therapy in Tucson, AZ. Carrie is an online therapist with more than 20 years experience. She is an expert in behavior change. Her therapeutic specialties include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy addressing relationships, stress management, coping, making positive changes and anxiety. She has numerous credentials, including a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) and a license in clinical social work (LCSW). She has several virtual options to help you achieve your goals, including online courses, individual therapy, free resources, and a new mental wellness membership.