The science of getting motivated | Ayelet Fishbach | TEDxChicago

Summary

In this talk, the speaker explores the nature of motivation, emphasizing that it is not about strength but about wisdom. Motivation is a skill that can be learned and maintained through smart strategies like setting exciting, intrinsically motivated goals, balancing life’s various demands, and dealing with setbacks. The speaker encourages embracing discomfort, removing ego, and seeking support from others to stay motivated. Drawing on research and real-life examples, the talk highlights that motivation is about understanding how to approach challenges and maintaining the balance in work and personal life. Ultimately, it's about becoming wiser to stay motivated and achieve goals.

Takeaways

• 😀 Motivation isn't something you lose; it's not an object you own. It's about wisdom and understanding how to use it effectively.
• 😀 Many people, especially millennials and Gen Z, feel unmotivated at work, leading to high job turnover. It's a widespread issue in modern life.
• 😀 Motivation is not a muscle, but a form of knowledge. You learn how to be motivated and apply it through experience.
• 😀 To boost motivation, you either need to change your circumstances or change the way you perceive them. Simple shifts in thinking can make a big difference.
• 😀 Setting goals that excite you is crucial for staying motivated. Goals should be something you look forward to, not just something you wish you had already completed.
• 😀 Most goals are abandoned not because they aren’t important, but because people don’t enjoy the process. Enjoyment is a key predictor of goal adherence.
• 😀 Avoid thinking of activities as mere ‘means to an end’. People dislike investing in tasks that feel like a means to an end, such as parking or studying prerequisites.
• 😀 Motivation tends to decline in the middle of a goal-setting journey. To sustain it, make middle phases short or break your goals into smaller, more manageable steps.
• 😀 Setbacks will happen, but it's important to remove your ego from the equation. When you take a step back and don't focus on failure, you're better able to learn and grow.
• 😀 Embrace discomfort in small doses. It’s a sign of growth and can increase your motivation. Studies show that people who accept temporary discomfort become more daring and confident in their actions.
• 😀 Motivation is easier to sustain when you balance multiple goals, like work and family. Understanding how different goals complement each other can help you stay focused and happy.
• 😀 Support from others is key to motivation. Just like Marie Curie was supported by Pierre Curie, having a strong support system can push you to achieve your dreams and goals.

Q & A

What does the speaker's friend experience that many people can relate to?

The speaker's friend feels extremely tired, not from a lack of sleep, but from a deeper, more profound sense of lost motivation, despite being dedicated and responsible in her work and personal life.

Why does the speaker argue that we cannot lose our motivation?

The speaker argues that motivation cannot be lost because we never actually own it in the first place. Motivation is not an object like a car key or wallet; rather, it is a skill or knowledge that can be learned and applied.

What is the speaker's view on motivation as a 'muscle'?

The speaker challenges the idea of motivation as a muscle, suggesting that some people have strong motivation muscles and others don't. Instead, motivation is better understood as knowledge, which can be developed and applied.

What is the key to becoming more motivated, according to the speaker?

The key to becoming more motivated is to either change the situation you're in or change how you think about the situation. This involves taking control of your circumstances or shifting your perspective to make tasks more engaging and rewarding.

How does the speaker suggest you can make goals more exciting?

To make goals exciting, they should not feel like a chore or a means to an end. The process itself should be enjoyable. When people are intrinsically motivated by the work itself, they are more likely to stick with their goals.

Why do people often abandon their goals, even if they're important?

People tend to abandon their goals because they don't enjoy the pursuit. Even when goals are important, it's the enjoyment of the process that predicts whether they will stick with the goal or not.

What is the 'middle problem' in motivation?

The 'middle problem' refers to the decline in motivation that typically occurs in the middle phase of a goal. Motivation is high at the start and towards the end, but tends to drop in the middle, making it harder to stay committed.

How can you sustain motivation when facing setbacks?

One way to sustain motivation during setbacks is to remove your ego from the situation. When you detach your sense of self from the outcome, it becomes easier to learn from mistakes and continue working towards your goals.

How does seeking discomfort contribute to motivation?

Seeking discomfort, even temporarily, can help boost motivation. Embracing discomfort is a sign of growth, and by pushing through uncomfortable situations, people become more daring and resilient in their pursuit of goals.

What lesson does the story of Marie and Pierre Curie illustrate about motivation?

The story of Marie and Pierre Curie illustrates the importance of having a supportive partner in pursuing goals. Their mutual support led to Marie's Nobel Prizes, showing how collaboration and encouragement from loved ones can significantly enhance motivation and success.