Todays Daily Om was about competing with yourself in life and how that can get you motivated for the wrong reasons. This I something I have experience with so I will write about it.
Sometimes I find myself motivated to do things for the wrong reasons. Have you ever wanted to do something because you knew you could? Maybe you want to do something because others around you cannot. Maybe people doubt you or maybe you doubt yourself….
Getting caught up in something for the wrong reasons can be torture and it is often hard to end. Take my night job for example: I have been working in the same place for quite sometime now. There has been much restructuring and turnover in the upper level management which in turn affects the staff. I am one of the employees that has been their the longest so newer people come to me for information. This has motivated me to continue my employment simply because I am needed and depended on, my motivation has caused me to loose sight of what truly makes me happy.
Many things have changed at this place of employment, things that make the job less enjoyable and more stressful. I am beginning to feel like I being asked to do things that I do not necessarily believe in. I have been dealing with these issues for quite sometime and I am just now starting to wonder why I am still here.
My curse is that I care about my department/ my coworkers and I want to believe things get better. I have not moved on because people depend on me and value me and I want to help things get better.
Upon further examination I discover that I am motivated by:
- the need to help others
- the need to be successfully when others cannot
- faith that things will improve
- the need to bring positive change
Unfortunately the reasons listed above do not fulfill me, they often leave me with more hassle than pleasure therefor they are the wrong reasons for me to be motivated.
Discovering that I am often driven by the wrong forces is both frustrating and enlightening. I am frustrated that I often take the wrong path but I am glad that I have realized what is getting me off track.
I am switching gears with my night job. I will be moving to a different department so that makes me happy. I am kind of worried about the effect the switch will have on my income but happiness is more important than money right?
The key is recognizing the bad motivating forces as soon as possible so that you can then focus on doing things for the right reasons.
What are your thoughts on being motivated for the wrong reasons?
