Competing Motivations

How to Protect What Motivates You

Watch out! Competing motivations can slow or still your goal achievement progress. Why? Let's say,every evening, you are motivated to self improvement. However motivation also kicks in to get more rest each evening. You're stressed out from dealing with crappy co-workers all day and you need your energy to survive the next day.

Already, you have a problem - two different forms of motivation competing for supremacy. At some point, the scale will tip in favor of one goal over the other. If you do nothing, you may be disappointed with the outcome.

What Do You Do?

First you need to gain a basic understanding of your wants and needs. Herzberg's motivation theory is a great place to start. His theory explains why certain needs will always win against others.

By understanding your hierarchy of needs you learn what you are up against when dealing with conflicting motivations. The problem with most people is that they do not understand the nature of motivation. As always knowledge is king, especially when acted upon. Once you gain a basic understand of your conflict, use the following guide for additional support:

Competing Motivations Scale:

If.......

1st action - productive to goal achievement
2nd action - non productive to goal achievement

Suggestion: If the non productive action is a basic need, satisfy that need first and then move onto productive goal achievement.

If........

1st action - productive to goal achievement
2nd action - productive to goal achievement

This is a win-win situation for you.
Suggestion: Prioritize actions by impact. Complete one and then move onto the other.

If........

1st action - non productive to goal achievement
2nd action - non productive to goal achievement

Suggestion: Your motivation will fizzle for both of these actions. Find new actions/goals that excite you.

The Fight is Over and the Dust Has Settled:

Take heart, you'll probably run into this type of competition again. The great new is that you are the Referee. You set the rules and the priorities. Better yet,since you now understand the rules for the game you can play to win.

From Competing Motivations to Self Motivation Page