Motivation & Inspiration

To Motivate or to Inspire?  Various Philosophers, Governments, Military Leaders, and Multinational Companies have tried to define what people need to be satisfied.  Why would they want to figure this out?

Inspiration!  If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.  Webster’s dictionary defines inspiration as: “the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions”

Motivation!  You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind.  Motivation is the process of getting started, keeping going, and modulating various behaviours that help people achieve goals

Inspiration vs Motivation  People always seem to get confused between the difference between Inspiration & Motivation.  In groups of 2-3 come up with any differences you can think of given the definitions listed on slides before.

Inspiration vs Motivation Cont.  So, what’s the difference?  First off, the major difference between Inspiration & Motivation is:  Inspiration is Internal  Motivation is External

Inspiration is Internal  Inspiration is internal because:  Inspiration comes from within and the encouragement and ideas are your own.  When it comes from within, you own it and feel inspired.  When you feel inspired you’ll take action and “taking action” is the key to achieving what you want.

Motivation is External  Motivation is external because:  Motivation occurs when someone else persuades you into doing something.  Motivation usually involves rewards or punishments such as  Money  Threat of job loss (or failing a class)  Poor Performance reviews (or grades)

Motivation is External Cont.  An easy example can be seen through the following situation.  Picture yourself in “Sales job” where you “bonus” is based on a percentage of yearly sales. Obviously, the more you sell, the more $ ends up in your pocket

Motivation is External Cont.  Motivation can also happen on the “reflexive flow”.  I need to get myself motivated to exercise  I have to be more motivated at work (school)  Usually, motivation requires a kick in the butt from oneself or someone else.

Inspiration vs Motivation  What’s more effective, Inspiration or Motivation?  It can be easily seen that Inspiration can be more effective because it comes from within. So why isn’t everyone inspired?

Inspiration vs Motivation  Motivation is far more common with everyday examples coming from paying bills (or you’ll lose you home) to going to school until the age of 18 (because it’s the law).