Motivation is a key factor for success in personal and professional life. Nothing happens without the correct motivation. Some tasks or projects require more inspiration than others and sometimes the real challenge involves knowing how to stay motivated.
Motivation is not a state that is accessed and can remain in it. Motivation is the result of habit and constant personal work. In his most recent studies Dan Pink - Expert Career Analyst and author of "A Whole New Mind" - mentions the importance of doing things because they matter, because we like them, because they are interesting or because they are part of something bigger.
And it also mentions 3 powerful factors of intrinsic motivation: Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose.
Autonomy is defined as the drive to direct our own action, our own life. It is a state of independence, free from outside intervention, where we are fully responsible for our own results.
Questions that lead you to professional autonomy:
- What depends on me in this project? How can I contribute to this situation? Based on my experience, what can I propose to achieve the results we seek?
Mastery is the determination to achieve continuous improvement in our performance. As we become better and better at what we do, we can enjoy our work more because we imprint our experience and knowledge, our personal stamp. Master's degree requires continuous growth, a "stay hungry" within the field of work that is practiced.
Questions that lead you to professional mastery:
- What are my greatest professional strengths? How can I improve my performance level? What do I need to do it? What would be my next challenge? What steps should I take?
The purpose is the hope that our work is actually a contribution to the achievement of something much greater. Purpose helps us to give meaning and meaning to our profession, helps us to remember that we serve people like us and collaborate in one way or another for the success of our team, our company or our society.
Questions that help you clarify your professional purpose:
- Why do what I do? What impact does my work have on the people around me, inside and outside the company? How does my work allow me to give the best version of myself in my relationships?
A continuous evaluation of the level of autonomy, mastery and purpose in your work can keep your motivation burning… and infect those around you.
