motivated or inspired?: 5 reasons to seek inspiration

(♥) 

A few weeks ago, I went to see a presentation given by Tony Hsieh, author of Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose. During the presentation, he discussed how executives often encourage employees to work hard by doing what they can to motivate them. Motivation might seem like a good thing, but Tony brought up the very interesting point that motivation is different from inspiration. Sure, people will work harder if they are motivated -- but they would work even harder if they were inspired. Tony's ideas about motivation and inspiration apply not only in the workplace but in life as well. If someone is motivated, s/he will work hard, but if s/he is inspired, s/he will work harder. 

Thinking about Tony Hsieh's message brought me to the point where I asked myself: "Am I motivated or am I inspired?" At work, I find that I am motivated. I work so that I will be praised. I work so that I will not get into any trouble. I am not inspired by what I find myself doing during the work day. I am, however, inspired by things I do in my own free time. I'm inspired when I write this blog. I'm inspired when I read or write anything, in fact. Without those shining bits of inspiration in my life, I'm not sure I would be who I am. After giving it some thought, I realize that I am both motivated and inspired -- in two totally different realms of my life. 

Though both the motivation and inspiration are effective in getting things done, I must admit that I much prefer to spend time doing the things I am inspired to do. Motivation gets the job done, but it gets it done in a much different way than inspiration does. The more I think about it, the more I realize how completely different they are and the more I realize that I want to spend time doing the things I'm inspired to do, not those I am motivated to do. Inspiration, I've found, is just so much better. Here's why... 

 

5 Reasons Inspiration Trumps Motivation

1. Inspiration can be a foundation for motivation. When you are inspired to do something, you will often find yourself motivated by that inspiration. An idea with inspire you and making that idea a reality will serve as the motivation to get things done. However, motivation does not often inspire people. It will allow them to achieve goals and check off to-do lists, but it will not leave people feeling uplifted or excited about what they are getting done. Inspiration, in my opinion, is the backbone for every great idea and every amazing adventure. 

2. Inspiration lasts longer than motivation. Motivation will get you through the work day, but it won't last a lifetime. It seems to me that inspiration is enduring. It can extend for a very long period of time, influencing all aspects of your life. Motivation, on the other hand, seems to have a definitive end. You are motivated to complete a task and, once completed, the motivation dissipates (or transfers to the next task). Inspiration, on the other hand, can transcend all tasks and can spread across various aspects of your life. 

3. Inspiration renews (and creates new) motivation. When you are inspired, you often find yourself motivation to make your inspiration come to life. No matter how much you love doing something, you will find yourself tired or beaten down or frustrated and your motivation will falter. Inspiration is the thing that picks your motivations back up and urges them to keep going. Inspiration is the force that makes you want to be motivated to achieve your goals and it's the cause of renewed motivation when things start to seem stale. 

4. Inspiration focuses on a bigger picture than motivation. Motivation, as I've pointed out, has a very specific goal in mind. You have something you want to achieve or avoid and once you've crossed the finish line, the motivation dies. Inspiration, however, focuses on a bigger picture. Inspiration is not a single goal, but an overall dream of an idea. When you are inspired, you are not looking at one small detail, but are filled with the belief that your ideas can have great influence. To be inspired means to see the whole picture, rather than focus on a single task or goal. 

5. Inspiration comes from passion; motivation does not. Typically, when you are motivated to do something, you want only to achieve that goal and then to move on. Inspiration is deeper than motivation. It stems from passion, from being influenced by something or someone in such a way that you want to change things, do things, be things. Motivation, in the moment, can seem powerful, but its power is faded compared to the brilliance that is inspiration. Inspiration and passion are closely linked to one another. You can be motivated without being passionate, but you rarely see inspiration without passion close by. 

 

To motivate means "to give incentive to," where as to inspire means "to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence." Motivate leads us to produce results, but not always in a positive way and not always with positive thoughts guiding us. In fact, most often we are motivated by fear or greed -- two very un-positive things. We can, of course, be motivated by positive things. We can, too, be inspired by negative things. However, more often than not, inspiration causes us to do great, meaningful things where as motivation causes us to get through the day, doing what we need to do to survive. 

While it's clear to see that there are benefits to being inspired, this doesn't mean that inspiration is easy to come by. Motivation, I've found, is much easier to obtain. You think of what you want, the cause and effect of getting it, and you move forward. Inspiration, however, must come to you or be brought to you by something or someone. You can obtain it for yourself, but it takes a lot more to be inspired by something than it does to be motivated by it. That's why I believe it's important that we all take a close look at our lives and ask ourselves the following questions... 

What motivates you? What inspires you? 
What can you do to spend more time doing what inspires you?  

Comments

[Christopher Lovejoy]

As I go with the flow, inspiration comes easily, naturally, spontaneously. As I follow my bliss, motivation rides piggyback on my inspiration. Life is good. Work is play. Come on, people. Wake up.

[Uzma]

Inspiration hits me, strikes me, like the Muse and am swept away by it. Am inspired to write beautiful words, inspired by an incredible sunset and the sky. Inspired by beauty that stuns one into silence..
Motivation, strangely for me is harder to find. .

[Felicelam]

Great list. Thank you!

[positively present]

Christopher - Love the idea of motivation riding piggyback on inspiration! That's an excellent way of putting it.

Uzma - For those that are easily inspiration, motivation can often be elusive. It's important to consider how you can use motivation to make your inspiration a reality. Thanks for your comment -- you've written some very beautiful words!

Felicelam - You're welcome! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.

[J.D. Meier]

I like the distinction of motivation and inspiration. My favorite definition of inspiration is "to breathe life into."

[positively present]

J.D. - I really like that definition of inspiration. It's very... well, inspiring! :)

[Mindful Mimi]

I like your post.
Been thinking about that too lately:
http://mindfulmimi.blogspot.com/2010/10/surprising-truth-about-what-motivates.html

[positively present]

Mindful Mimi - Thanks for your comment! It's nice to see that we're on the same page, both of us thinking about motivation.

[Molly]

It's so interesting how you ended this post - mentioning that inspiration isn't always easy to come by. Only recently I feel like I've found my passions in life, and I feel completely inspired. And now everything I'm doing doesn't feel like work. And I'm willing to go beyond what is required of me because it's fun.

Love this post. It really got me thinking.

[positively present]

Molly - Thanks so much for your comment! I'm glad that this post got you thinking -- and I'm also glad to hear that you've found passions in your life!

[Steve]

Great article!

[positively present]

Steve - Thanks so much! :)