Two Options for Building Self-Motivation When Pure Passion Isn’t Enough
When you have a passion for something, self-motivation is easy. In addition, when an activity provides instant gratification, self-motivation is never a problem. However, most difficult achievements require the self-motivation to do things that don’t involve a passion and don’t provide instant gratification.
For example, a high school athlete may have a passion to play a sport in college but not have the self-motivation to train hard enough. Similarly, one may get instinct gratification from consuming luxury products, but not have the self-motivation to do what it takes to make enough money to live a luxury lifestyle.
This contradiction in self-motivation stagnates many people. Moreover, it’s easy to assume this contradiction is the result of someone being lazy. But laziness is a symptom not a root cause. Instead, the root cause is likely the result of a mindset conflict.
The Mindset Conflict Stopping You from Having Self-Motivation
A mindset conflict is often the root cause for why you will want something but then not have the self-motivation to go after it. This mindset conflict typically starts when your belief about what you control and your ability to execute are not in alignment.
For example, you know if you eat healthier you can lose weight. You understand that you are in complete control of what you eat. But you don’t believe you have the discipline to stay consistent. So, instead of eating healthy for a few days to make some progress, you do nothing. These two contrasting mindsets are your locus of control and your self-efficacy.
Locus of control is a term to describe the mindset of how an individual perceives cause and effect. When you have an internal locus of control you believe hard work and consistency are the keys to success. When you have an external locus of control you believe luck, nepotism, inheritance, and genetics are the keys to success.
The second mindset that then contrast with locus of control is self-efficacy, or lack thereof. Self-efficacy dictates how you perceive your ability to produce a result you want. Moreover, your perception of your abilities to produce a result is the by-product of the skills you have confidence in replicating without help from others.
So, if you have an internal locus of control, but low self-efficacy, then this conflict is the root cause of your lack of self-motivation. On the other hand, if you have an external locus of control, but high self-efficacy, then this conflict is the root cause.
Therefore, to gain self-motivation you must do one of two things. Either build confidence in your skills or start focusing more on the things you can control.