Motivation vs. Inspiration

Setting a goal and “going for it!” is fine, but where did the idea come from in in the first place? Your parents, your boss, fear? Or your interior?

In my program you’re going to hear me constantly ask “why?” You might say “my goal is $300,000 in income,” or “to become a professional actor” or “to have a loving family.”

Why?

Without being aware of it and until we bring conscious intention to our actions, the overwhelming majority of what we do is motivated by our unconscious belief systems.

Example 1: A client sets a goal to make $300,000 per year. Why? Without consciously being aware of it, he became attached to that income goal from his exterior life. Perhaps he envied a professional friend enjoying a second home, always having a new car, and appearing respected by others. Unconsciously he interpreted this as if I make $300,000 I too will be respected by others. What he can’t see is that behind the need to be respected or envied is very often insecurity.

Ex 2: A client is a professional actor and a “star”—glitz, glamor and fame—wow how exciting! Pause. Breath. Ask “why?” While there are exceptions to the rule, the less talked about but overwhelming success factor to being a professional entertainer is that one or both of parents were in the industry. While there’s nothing wrong with nepotism, my question is where did the idea and the motivation to be in this business come from? Was it external (watching their parents) and now manifesting as an easy shortcut to comfort and validation? Did this person ever get far enough into their interior to discern if there was something more authentic to them?

Ex 3: Family. Almost everybody gets important needs met via family and community. Yet it’s still worth looking at. Why do you want to have a family and very importantly, how are you going about it? For example, are you using your internal guidance system to ask for direction and then being patient as you practice dating and partnership allowing time for the best match to show up? Or are you trying to force this on your timeline wanting to prove something to your family, feel attractive, or ensure you get to be a mother even if you don’t really, really like the co-parent?

Once you’re able to determine the true answer to “why?” you’ll see the difference between motivation and inspiration.

Motivation is mental and emotional only. You parents, teachers, and public speakers tell you “set goals and commit!” Most of us interpret that message believing that to be normal or valuable we need to be setting and accomplishing goals. That is like throwing a ladder up against a building, climbing to the top, and realizing you are at the top of a building you never wanted to climb anyway. When driven by external factors like pleasing your parents, wanting to fit into a social class, or fear which leads to taking shortcuts, you become overly reliant on your mind alone. Your mind will always default to safety and control to generate strategies. There is no room for patience, creativity or grace.

Beyond the mental and emotional experience of motivation there is inspiration—or being in-spirit. Rather than doing something because it is logical, moral, or safe, inspiration is a calling. Instead of you having an idea, it’s as if an idea has you. Nearly the direct opposite of motivation in many cases, it manifests as desire not always explainable to others. Many times when inspired, instead of strategically trying to avoid risk, instead you will have to allow fear to exist in your endeavors.

Quick exercise: is there something you’ve always wanted to do—big or small—that the desire has never gone away no matter how much you’ve avoided or delayed it?

That is inspiration! Inspired callings don’t go away. Ever. That’s because they aren’t coming from your mind or your emotions. You might use your brain to support your journey, but the inspiration came from the great Mystery of life.

Both in my coaching as well as additional articles like this one about different levels of consciousness we break down this sometimes almost overwhelming idea of the purpose of your life. As you will learn, there definitely is a purpose to your life. While I can’t point you to it directly, I can help you develop the practice that aligns you with it.

Email me your questions directly or set a time to talk with me.