Motivation vs. inspiration: The perfect combination for success

Motivation vs. Inspiration: The Perfect Combination for Success

It’s commonly said that motivation and inspiration go hand in hand when it comes to achieving success. But how much truth is there to this? Do we truly need to strike a perfect balance between motivation and inspiration to be successful? In this article, we’ll dive into the intricacies of how motivation and inspiration impact our chances of success, and the combination of the two that is the formula for ultimate achievement.

What is Motivation?

Motivation is an internal state that drives us to seek out certain goals and take action to achieve them. It’s the force that drives us to seek personal satisfaction, create deeper connections, and strive for excellence. While motivation is typically thought of as an internal force, it can also be externally influenced by things such as rewards, praise, and recognition.

Types of Motivation

There are many types of motivation, the most popular being intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation.

Intrinsic motivation is the type of motivation that comes from within. It’s typically associated with internal desires and an internal drive to succeed. In this type of motivation, our purpose is to fulfill our own needs, achieve personal goals and gain recognition from our own accomplishments.

Extrinsic motivation is the type of motivation that comes from outside sources. This can include things such as money, awards, prizes, and praise from others. In this type of motivation, our purpose is to seek rewards and recognition from external sources.

What is Inspiration?

Inspiration is a unique force that has a significant impact on our behaviors. While motivation may be thought of as an internal driving force, inspiration is typically seen as an external source. Inspiration can be found in the words of others, through books, films or stories we’ve seen, or even from our own dreams and imagination.

Sources of Inspiration

Inspiration can be found in a variety of sources, including friends, family members, mentors, successful people, and even from nature.

Friends and family members can play a large role in inspiring us to pursue something when we may not be sure if we are truly capable of achieving it.

Mentors can offer a different type of inspiration, as they have lived, experienced, and overcome many of the same obstacles that we face.

Successful people offer another type of inspiration, as they have made it to a place that we may one day look to achieve.

Finally, nature offers inspiration in the form of peaceful beauty and magnificence that can bolster our courage and determination to achieve something.

The Benefits of Combining Motivation and Inspiration

It is clear that both motivation and inspiration play an important role in our successful journey. However, the real power of success comes when the two are combined and brought together in harmony.

There are many benefits to combining motivation and inspiration, including:

1. Increased Focus and Energy: When we have both motivation and inspiration, we become more focused and energized, as our internal drive is pushing us forward and our inspiration is helping us stay on track.

2. Better Goal Setting: By combining motivation and inspiration, we are able to set more realistic and attainable goals, as our internal force of motivation helps us achieve them, while our inspiration keeps us motivated to stay the course and ultimately, succeed.

3. Elevated Performance: When we combine motivation and inspiration, we are also more likely to perform better, as our inspiration keeps us feeling positive about our determined mindset and proud of our achievements.

4. Lower Stress Levels: Anybody who’s ever set out on a task from an unmotivated and uninspired state would probably agree that the stress and anxiety can be pretty intense. When we have both motivation and inspiration, we will stay focused, productive and ultimately, less stressed.

There is no denying the importance of motivation and inspiration when it comes to achieving success. Both are essential and help fuel our determination and courage, as well as provide a better outlook and understanding of our goals. The real success, however, comes when motivation and inspiration begin to work in unison and become the perfect combination for success.