What is motivation and why is it important to our plans?
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| People with a strong internal locus of control refuse to let external factors box them in. |
March 2021
What are the qualities that set apart those who stay the course and see their goals through to successful conclusions?
We’re discussing motivation and how we propel ourselves forward.
Motivation is key to our plans. Simply put, it’s the fuel that keeps us going. It’s a psychological process that makes us do what we do.
It's often referred to as an impulse, incentive, purpose or rationale.
One major influencing factor on our motivation is what’s known as our locus of control – that is to say how much we believe we influence our own success.
The locus of control theory came from research by the US psychologist Julian Rotter in 1954. He was studying the differences between people who believe they have control over their outcomes – that is having an internal locus of control – and people who believe external factors such as the actions of others or destiny or luck determine their success – that’s known as having an external locus of control.
Those with a strong internal locus of control are likely to be more successful – they’re able to perform more effectively and they understand that they'll be rewarded in the long run if they delay their gratification. Research shows that they’re also more willing to take on new challenges.
SHIFTING TO AN INTERNAL LOCUS OF CONTROL
If we want to have greater control over our outcomes, the first step is to recognise that while life can be difficult, we have a choice how to interpret what’s going on around us.
We make a realistic appraisal of what’s going on and what we can do about it. We need to be objective and pragmatic. If we have fears, we need to gauge whether or not they have any foundation. Fear can help to get us out of some dangerous situations but often it arises because we’re moving from the known and familiar to something new.
It might be useful at this point to examine our self talk and ensure that it's free of negative programming and, instead, couched in language that empowers us. Getting into the habit of using phrases such as “I choose to …” and “It’s my decision to …” is a useful starting point.
It's useful, too, to reframe negative statements. Instead of saying 'I'm rubbish at chess,' say: 'Here’s an opportunity to improve my chess skills.'
And while we're it, let's banish the word ‘try’ from our vocabulary. Why? Because each time we use it, we sow seeds of doubt in our minds and the minds of others about the likelihood of our succeeding.
Another good move is to accept responsibility for our personal development. We begin by carrying out an audit of our current levels of expertise, knowledge and skills. We then identify any gaps and identity what else we can develop to take us forward.
Developing a stronger internal locus of control is about taking ownership of where we are now and where we want to be.