What sparked this post was a friend asking me "what motivates you?", a question asked to help me do better at the ABS Nationals. To that, I had no answer, which was strange because it's not a difficult question. Instead I said that I am driven and I have a lot of passion for the things that I do, especially for climbing. But what actually motivates me?? Food and travel I think. Oh and sleep.
Merriam-Webster Definitions for the three:
mo·tive
1: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act
pas·sion
4 a (1) : emotion "his ruling passion is greed" (2) plural : the emotions as distinguished from reason b : intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction c : an outbreak of anger
5 a : ardent affection : love b : a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept c : sexual desire d : an object of desire or deep interest
drive
a : an urgent, basic, or instinctual need : a motivating physiological condition of an organism (a sexual drive) b : an impelling culturally acquired concern, interest, or longing (the drive to succeed)
I am passionate about practically everything that I do, in terms of work and play. But when I think about it, nothing really motivates me to do anything in my life. Money or the amount of money is generally not a motivator; otherwise I would be working a lot more than I do now. I feel that I am satisfied with my lifestyle the way it is, until something changes. In all, I don't believe that I have motivation...
Motivation, passion and drive could be explained by an example of a car getting from point A to point B. What Jenn and I decided is that the fuel is passion, the engine is the drive, and the driver is motivation. Motivation can then be described as the source that allows one to get to a destination. The navigator. But, it is clear, that after talking with some friends, some often lack one of the three. Two of my closest friends have said that they are driven and totally motivated, but possess no passion. Do you really need all three to be successful? Do you need all three to be happy? I feel I am a fairly happy individual, when I get the things that I want. So, maybe for me, happiness is the motivator.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and beliefs on this subject. I am baffled by all of this. This was quite a confusing and difficult post to write, as I still have no idea what I am talking about.
Something that's been coming up for me lately, that has a lot to do with motivation, is competition. I feel like i've never had a great relationship with competition. When i first started climbing, i had a few friendships and climbing partners that went sour due to an excess of competition. It really turned me off. Since then i've really only had to struggle with my competition with myself which is its own story. But climbing is unavoidably competitive. But i think i haven't tapped into a healthy level of competition with someone else. Ive been so afraid that any competition is bad competition. But Ive been beginning to realize that a healthy form of competition is possible, thats fun and lighthearted. But most importantly, a healthy form of competition can be a truly motivating force. It can drive us to push ourselves further, but in relationship to other people who encourage and support and invite the challenge.
ReplyDeleteInteresting breakdown with the "car" analogy... it makes sense. Passion fuels drive, but without the driver, who has to make the decision to get behind the wheel, there is no motivation to move forward - the final outcome then, is determined by one's ability to make a choice, stay committed and take responsibility for what may come. Which totally makes sense. Dan, I do not climb competitively, but I jumped back on the MTB race scene last year, and found the comradarie and inspiration I derived from being connected to such a tight scene of athletes was amazing inspiration. Not only did I become physically stronger and more skilled at my practice, but I also found myself leading and inspiring others to perform at higher levels in the sport, both competitively and non-competitively. Funny thing is, the worst fear I have is being last, and the second worst fear is being last and everybody else knowing it... that feeling of being "on gallery" actually de-motivates me (is that a word?) to compete, and sometimes I won't even climb certain routes if I'm with a group of people. Like MTB, I know it's a fear I have to get over if I am to improve, and constantly remind myself that my 5.10 is someone else's 5.13. Thanks for posting your thoughts, Mercedes.
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