Motivation

Motivation is a person's internal drive to achieve a goal.It's the reason why people initiate, continue, or stop a behaviour. It fuels competition and sparks social connection. Its absence can lead to mental illnesses such as depression, or worse still, dementia.

It is a complex phenomenon and its precise definition is disputed. It contrasts with a motivation, which is a state of apathy or listlessness. Motivation is studied in fields like psychology, neuroscience, motivation science, and philosophy. Hence my interest. 

I mean, I kept on keeping on looking after Molly Steele (who died this April, aged 92 with severe dementia) because Jesus Christ said, ‘what you do to the lest of mine, you do unto me.’(Mt 25,40) but also, I admit, call it pride and/or vanity, I will not let madness beat me. Never!

Motivation can come from many sources, including internal and external factors.

Intrinsic motivation:This is when you are motivated by internal rewards, such as self-improvement or helping others.For example, you might want a promotion because it will teach you new skills.

I write, keep on with my exercise and have my “double 2-3” diet ( just eat two out of three meals every 2 out of 3 days) not only out of vanity, but also due to my aim of avoiding dementia. Staying close to friends not only makes life a joy, but also reduced the risk of dementia.

Curiosity: This is a strong motivator for learning.

Self-validation:This is when you want to confirm your existing self-image.For example, you might feel better about yourself if you are with someone who sees you the way you see yourself.

Ambition, both good and bad, hatred, lust, gluttony, envy, pride, revenge, fear, greed, duty and even sloth, all may move people to act. The glass holding motives is almost always a bit of a cocktail.

Why do people go to Sunday mass? When I was young, it was a sense of identity: “We Catholic do that” certainly played a role. As well as this sense of belonging, believing – the teaching of The Church -  influenced my behaving. After my 1954 Eriskay personal Pentecost, it was love of God that drew me to even daily mass.(Ref “A journey to Eternity -volume 1”).

Some folk inhale extrinsic motivation. They are motivated by external rewards such as money, praise, or awards and, maybe encouragement from a coach, supporters or parent and other friends. Some might work extra hours to increase their income. 

Some use ‘Goal setting’, as they imagine what they will achieve on reaching their ambition. 

Then there is ‘achievement motivation’ People may be motivated by the outcome of an endeavour. For example, they might work hard to get a degree.

Then, there is love.  

Because God loves me, I love God and am motivated to do my best to help God make this       world a better place; to help people in my world to improve across their PIES: the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual dimensions of their lives.

I am here, and motivated to love, ever deeper and warmer, the SONG of my life: my Self, Others, Nature and God.

I realise that everything I have is a gift, on loan, from God. 

I have learned that not to look after a gift is an insult to the giver. Given my age – and thus proximity to me meeting  God face to face, I do not want to insult that immensely generous giver.

My "sense of duty" is motivated bya belief in ethical responsibility. It overrides my natural inclinations and temptations to a cushier life. 

Acting on what is considered "right", it is a driving force to keep me acting act in harmony with my conscience.

To save on long-winded prose, I use quotes that will enable you to ponder a variety of perceptions on the concept ‘motivation’.

Let’s start with,"Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day" from the  Dalai Lama(born 1935), who describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk. 

Then, "Don't let someone else's opinion of you become your reality," stated Les Brown(born 1945) an American politician and motivational speaker. He was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1977 to 1981.

And a couple from Walt Disney: "If you can dream it, you can do it"  and "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." Walt Disney(1901-66) was, as you may know, American animator, film producer, voice actor, and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the American animation industry, he introduced several developments in the production of cartoons. As a film producer, he holds the record for most Academy Awards earned by an individual.

Be creative:"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have," wrote Maya Angelou (1928-2014) an American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.

Don't give up: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts,"and, "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." declared Sir Winston Churchill(1874-1965) British statesman, military officer, and writer,  Prime Minister of UK from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955.

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are," admittedE.E. Cummings(1894-1962) an American poet, painter, essayist, author, and playwright.

"Your self-worth is determined by you. You don't have to depend on someone telling you who you are." stated Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter(born 1981)  an American singer, songwriter, and businesswoman. Regarded as one of the most influential figures in music history, she is known for her vocal ability, musical versatility, live performances and culturally important works

"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible!'" jokedAudrey Hepburn (1929-93), British actress. Recognised as a film and fashion icon, she was ranked by the American Film Institute as the third-greatest female screen legend from the Classical Hollywood cinema and was inducted into the International Best Dressed Hall of Fame List.

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you." declaredWalt Whitman(1819-92), American poet, essayist, and journalist; he also wrote two novels. He is considered one of the most influential poets in American literature.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the guy who'll decide where to go." Encouraged Theodor Seuss Geisel(1904-91) an American children's author and cartoonist. He is known for his work writing and illustrating more than 60 books under the pen name Dr. Seuss.

"To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try."  Preached Rosa Parks(1913-2005) an American activist in the civil rights movement, best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott. The United States Congress has honoured her as "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom movement"

"Don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them,” taught Madam C. J. Walker, an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist. She is recorded as the first female self-made millionaire in America in the Guinness Book of World Records.

"Champions keep playing until they get it right." admittedBillie Jean King (born 1943) an American former world No. 1 tennis player. King won 39 Grand Slam titles: 12 in singles, 16 in women's doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles.

"I am lucky that whatever fear I have inside me, my desire to win is always stronger." Stated Serena Williams (born 1981) who exemplifies courage, beauty, power, and style, overcoming insurmountable odds to win a staggering 23 career Grand Slams.

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." musedC.S. Lewis (1898-1963) a British writer, literary scholar, and Anglican lay theologian.

"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." wroteAristotle (384-322bce) Greek philosopher and polymath. His writings cover a broad range of subjects spanning the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, and the arts

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." encouragedTheodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) also known as Teddy or T. R., was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909.

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong." saidElla Fitzgerald(1917-96) an American singer, songwriter and composer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella.

"All dreams are within reach. All you have to do is keep moving towards them." Encouraged Viola Davis(born 1965), American actress and film producer. Her accolades include both the Triple Crown of Acting and EGOT (the four major entertainment awards in the United States: the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards). Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2012 and 2017.

"It always seems impossible until it's done." motivatedNelson Mandela(1918-2013) South African anti-apartheid activist and politician, who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

We were encouraged by Carol Burnett(born 1922), American comedian, actress, singer and writer, with her, "When you have a dream, you've got to grab it and never let go."

"You just gotta keep going and fighting for everything, and one day you’ll get to where you want." sharedNaomi Osaka(born 1997), Japanese professional tennis player. She has been ranked as the world No. 1in women's singles by the WT Afor 25 weeks, the first Asian player to hold the top ranking in singles.

Let’s end with, "No matter how far away from yourself you may have strayed, there is always a path back. You already know who you are and how to fulfil your destiny." From Oprah Winfrey(born 1954), American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and media proprietor. She is best known for her talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, broadcast from Chicago, which ran in national syndication for 25 years, from 1986 to 2011.