POWERING PROGRESS

Finding your personal superpower

BY Archana Law

As we work our way through the new year, it’s worth exploring the powerful but invisible motivators that fuel our drive for success – and play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our goals.

Motivation is the driving force that propels us forward; it is the spark that ignites our ambitions and sustains our journey. Yet, understanding what truly motivates us can be arduous as we navigate the complexities of our personal and professional landscapes.

What motivates some people to participate productively and persevere in the face of setbacks while others are on the verge of giving up?

According to a Harvard study, the brain systems that govern motivation are built over time, beginning in the earliest years of our development. These intricate neural circuits and structures are shaped by interactions between the experiences we have and the genes that we’re born with.

Early life experiences that support the development of healthy, balanced motivation systems ensure positive outcomes later for academics, careers, health and life.

Of the two main types of motivation, approach motivation involves the release of a neurochemical that tells us we should enjoy something that’s about to happen. In contrast, avoidance motivation directs us away from a threatening or an unpleasant response by releasing hormones that trigger a fight or flight response.

Both types develop in childhood, and are influenced by intrinsic drivers and extrinsic feedback.

Understand how this psychological concept plays a crucial role in shaping human behaviour; and how it drives individuals to initiate and sustain actions that help achieve goals, and understand why people think and behave the way they do.

The first step to discovering the superpower of self-motivation involves self-awareness. When you have a better understanding of yourself, you’re able to see who you really are.

Your journey and plan will be unique to your personality and experiences, as you consider what motivates you and what gets in your way. The more you know about yourself, the better you will be at setting intentions.

To discover what motivates you, begin by reflecting on these motivational drivers.

ACHIEVEMENT This is about accomplishing a goal and can range from career advancement or gaining a promotion, to completing a task or meeting a deadline.

SUCCESS This is about being your personal best. It can involve having a balance in your life, a sense of security, freedom or independence, or simply living according to your desires.

MASTERY Being the best at what you do is what mastery means. It may present itself as engaging in competition, being an expert, breaking records or reaching the top of your profession.

INDULGENCE This is about satisfying your desires and can include a desire for money, attention, fame, power, victory or control.

PURPOSE This refers to deriving a sense of internal meaning from what you do in life. You may want to leave a legacy, help others, have a positive impact, drive change, focus on being relevant, achieve self-actualisation or find enlightenment.

RELATEDNESS Being connected to others in a positive way translates into relatedness. It in­cludes social connectivity, feelings of acceptance, a sense of belonging and attachment to other people, teams, projects or movements.

CURIOSITY Humans are inherently curious beings; they are driven by a desire to understand the world around them. The pursuit of knowledge and thirst for discovery lead us to innovative groundbreaking advancements and new solutions – including in science, technology etc.

AVOIDANCE This is about acting to avoid a negative consequence such as shame, anxiety, humiliation, failure or punishment, or losing something you value.

NECESSITY Humans historically progress in response to challenges and adversities, adapting to survive and thrive. Necessity has been a powerful motivator for the development of tools, agriculture, medicine and various societal structures.

AWARENESS Everyone’s path to success is unique. There are countless stories about athletes, celebrities, monks, entrepreneurs and corporate executives, and each one has found his or her inner source of motivation and tapped into it. It’s their personal superpower. Finding your personal superpower begins with self-awareness.

PASSION Ultimately, passion is the ignition switch that sparks the flame that fuels progress. When we’re driven by a deep love for what we do, our enthusiasm becomes contagious, inspires others and fosters an environment that’s conducive to growth. Passion transforms tasks into purpose and turns mundane activities into meaningful contributions.

These motivators are the threads that form the fabric of our achievements. We must recognise and cultivate them, and harness their power to propel us to new heights of success and fulfilment.