The Key to Motivation

This week, 'Therapy Begins with T(ea)' steeps on how we’re taught to think about motivation the wrong way and offers body-based tips to reset your mindset and feel more motivated.

Steep In Thought (3-5 min)

Motivation: A Valuable Resource

We talk about time being our most (in)valuable resource – and it is –- but in this world, motivation seems to come second. We’re constantly wondering how to find it and how to keep it. We’re even told that discipline, willpower, and a “mind over matter” mentality can override a lack of motivation altogether. But many of us find ourselves in a cycle of waiting for motivation to come and feeling bad about ourselves when it doesn’t –- and that’s because we view it, mistakenly, solely as a mental game. So today we’re going to take a different angle on motivation. Because in our quest to ‘get motivated,’ we forget motivation’s core teammate: inspiration.

Motivation’s Teammate

What comes to mind when you think about inspiration? We often think of it as being moved or influenced to think or act in some way, and it is usually accompanied by excitement. But let’s go deeper. The word ‘inspiration’ comes from the word ‘inspirare,’ which means ‘to breathe into.’ When we feel inspired, we experience a sensation of being filled with a new idea or energy. The aliveness that comes with inspiration can then kick start our inner propeller that is motivation.

But it has added benefits too. Remember the ‘broaden and build’ model of positive emotions? Positive emotions, like inspiration, regulate us by not only expanding our visual field, but by also broadening our sense of perspective. This can be especially helpful when we’re feeling stuck and de-motivated. Inspiration is a bodily experience even more than it is a mental one. By engaging in curiosity, play, creativity, novelty, and presence, we can allow ourselves the experience of inspiration.

So here’s a prompt for you to try this week: instead of focusing on the goal of motivation, try accessing inspiration. And if you want more guidance, check out this week’s full body check-in.

Full Body Check-In (2-4 min)

Start with a few cycles of breath. In, hold, out, hold. Repeat. Notice how it feels in your body to breathe like this. No need to rush it. Just breathe and observe. 

When you’re ready, choose one of the ingredients of inspiration: curiosity, play, creativity, presence, novelty. Choose one and visualize it. It may come in the form of a memory when you’ve experienced this characteristic or it might be imagery of you engaging with this characteristic as you are now. Notice what words and emotions come up as you spend time with this ingredient of inspiration. What does it feel like, physically, in your body?

Now, tune your attention back to your breath. We often focus on the exhale to settle ourselves, but, today, let’s focus on the inhale.  Breathe in a strong, energizing breath. Let it fill your body. With this renewed sense of energy and life, how can you practice one of the characteristics of inspiration this week?

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