Why we do what we do

How do you feel about going back to work or studies? Maybe it’s a good time to reflect on what motivates you – what makes you take action, why you do what you do. If you know what motivates you, you can manage your life to do more of those things and less of the things that drain your energy.

I know that I am more motivated and happier when I can spend enough time on the things I enjoy and am good at – thinking, writing, designing and running workshops, having coaching conversations. I am frustrated and unhappy when I have too much admin, too many people making demands on my time, too many things to organize. But other people thrive on these things and excel at them.

It’s so important to know this about yourself. I have a template that I use with my coaching clients when they are struggling to feel motivated. You can find this Enjoying Your Life-Role Fit here. It’s downloadable and free.

What are the four core motivators?

You can go deeper than this to become aware of your core psychological needs and how you are fulfilling them (or not) in your life.

According to Ryan and Deci, and Maslow, we are motivated to fulfil our core needs – for belonging, competence, freedom and to fulfil our potential – and when we can meet those needs, we have greater well-being too. When we don’t have the opportunity to meet these needs, we feel demotivated, and our mental health suffers (1).

While we all share needs for belonging, freedom, competence and to fulfil our potential, usually one is more important to us, and this leads to certain patterns of behaviour, particular interests, talents and values.

These are brought to life in the temperament framework (related to personality type), which moves us from academic theory to practical relevance. Here’s how:

What are the patterns of behaviour linked to the motivators?

Belonging: Stabliser

We all have a need for belonging and connection with others. People who have this as their top motivator want to do their duty for the group and be responsible. They enjoy being of service. This is known as the Stabiliser motivation pattern.

“I enjoy working with others to get practical, durable results”.

As leaders they like to lead a team that gets results, make processes work, they are good at logistics, and create a planned and orderly environment. They expect others to be responsible, and when they are not, this can cause them stress.

Freedom: Improviser

The second need we share is the need for freedom, to have some choice and control over what we do. People who have freedom as their top motivator like to make an immediate concrete impact, and get impressive quick results. This is known as the Improviser motivation pattern.

“I enjoy solving problems in the moment and seeing immediate results”.

As leaders they like solving problems and using their tactical skills, and they tend to create a fast-moving, fun environment. They expect others to react quickly, and when they don’t, this can cause them stress.

Competence: Theorist

Next, the need for competence, to be good at what you do. People who have the need for competence as their top motivator want to reach mastery and contribute to progress. This is known as the Theorist motivation pattern.

“I enjoy mastering new things and working with experts”.

As leaders they like to solve complex problems with innovative solutions, design new processes, they have strategic skills, ask “why”. They expect others to show initiative and when they don’t, this can cause stress.

Potential: Catalyst

Finally the fourth need we all share is the need to fulfil our potential, like Maslow’s self-actualisation. People who have the need to fulfil potential as their top motivator, want to be authentic and help others be the best they can be. This is known as the Catalyst motivation pattern.

“I like to work in harmony with others to make the world a better place”.

As leaders they create solutions that will help people grow, they are diplomatic and create a caring, harmonious environment. They expect others to collaborate, and when they don’t this can cause them stress.

Summary

We all share all four needs, but usually one is more important to each of us and is the core of our motivation. And it leads to certain patterns of behaviour, interests and talents – it explains why we do what we do….and why we are dissatisfied when we don’t get to do it!  It also explains why we sometimes feel frustrated or stressed by other people who have different top motivators.

The bottom line: We feel motivated and have greater well-being when the goals and activities we are involved in on a day-to-day basis allow us to meet our core needs.

The question: How do you meet your core needs in your work and life at the moment?  If you are not sure, you can find out in my book where there is a quiz and other activities.  Buy it with discount code MTCS25 for 25% off.  You can also take the quiz on my website and get a summary report.  You’ll find it here.

Try it today and change your life!

[1] Ryan, R. and Deci, L. (2000) “Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development and Well Being” American Psychologist Vol 55, No 1, 68-78

 

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