Not Just a Man's World

Feeling Driven – Why I do what I do

Writing the about me section of  this blog took me back to a thought that I often have.  Why do I do what I do?  What is it that motivates me to push myself every time I do my weight training, sit on a bike for 8 hours straight, or refuse certain food when everyone round me is tucking in?

There are lots of books and articles available on motivation, particularly for managers of corporate teams.  They usually explain a basic theory of motivation that you can then apply to yourself.  Lots of managers know these theories and can apply them to their teams but in my experience very few people take the time to study what motivates them on a personal level. 

 Yet I’ve found that understanding what motivates me is the key to ensuring that I get the most out of life.  When I get it right, I don’t just tick a job off my to-do list once completed but get a real glow and sense of achievement that lasts for hours, weeks, or even years.

 Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

One of my favourite theories of motivation is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.  Maslow believed that people’s behaviours are driven by their needs and that these needs can be put into a hierarchy.   The needs at the bottom must to be met before a person can satisfy needs higher up.  The needs identified by Maslow, from bottom to top, are:

• Physiological:  Including oxygen, food, water, sleep.
• Safety:  This could include health, well-being, personal and financial security.
• Social:  The need to belong to a group or feel loved and included.
• Status:  Needing to be respected by others, and also the desire for self-respect.
• Self-fulfilment:  The desire to do what you are truly driven to do.  This is the thing that makes you feel incomplete if you aren’t doing it.

But in today’s western society, most of the lower levels can be met relatively easily. 

 Status and self-fulfilment

I understand my own overall motivation better by focussing on the status and self-fulfilment categories and by classing these into short, long and core motivations:

• Short-term motivations:  These are (often numerous) immediate goals for the near future that are continually varying and updated (e.g. cycling 100 miles, qualifying for the British Drug-Free Powerlifting Association Nationals, learning to cook liver and onions such that my boyfriend will actually eat it…)
• Long-term motivations:  These are (fewer) more permanent goals that give the basis or underlying reasons for the short-term goals (e.g. achieve good health and fitness, build bone density and reduce osteoporosis risk, maintain healthy and functioning joints, learn new skills etc.) 
• Core motivation:  This is the fundamental basis for your long-term goals but it can be difficult to identify and even harder to discuss.  I often restrict myself to telling people about my long-term goals or even my short-term goals, to give the “best-fit” answer for their question.  My core goal is best summarised as living a long and active life.

 Living a long and active life

My great-grandmother lived to the ripe old age of 103 (and four months) and had six children in the process.  She had an active mind and did fine needlework into old age making cushions for the entire family.  Since I was a child I’ve wanted to emulate that longevity (and exceed it) by living to at least 105.  But I don’t intend doing so bed-ridden in a nursing home.  Instead I would like to live to the end of my life being active, able to fend for myself and with my full mental capabilities. 

What truly motivates you and why do you push yourself in the way that you do?

Related posts:

1. Blog-watch: longevity
2. Growing up
3. Blog-watch: exercise for mental health and brain development
4. Blog-watch: aging and longevity