The psychology of motivation: Understanding what drives us to succeed

Understanding the psychology of motivation is key to achieving success in any aspect of life.

Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash

Motivation is the driving force behind everything we do. It determines whether we pursue our goals or give up before we even start. Understanding the psychology of motivation is key to achieving success in any aspect of life.

According to psychologist Abraham Maslow, human beings have a hierarchy of needs, which are arranged in order of importance. At the bottom of the hierarchy are our basic physiological needs, such as food, water, and shelter. Once those needs are met, we move on to safety and security, then to love and belonging, and finally, to self-actualization.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs highlights the fact that motivation is not a one-size-fits-all concept. What motivates one person may not motivate another. Therefore, it’s important to understand what drives us individually.

One way to understand what motivates us is by examining our values. According to motivational speaker Tony Robbins, “Values are the driving force behind everything we do, and our values determine what we’re willing to commit to.” Our values are the things that matter most to us in life, such as family, health, career, or spirituality.

Robbins also emphasizes the importance of setting clear and compelling goals. He says, “Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement. The bigger the goal, the more powerful the motivation.”

“Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement. The bigger the goal, the more powerful the motivation” ~Tony Robbins

A little story can illustrate the power of goal-setting and motivation. A man named Jim Carrey once wrote himself a check for $10 million dollars, which he postdated to five years in the future. He carried the check in his wallet and looked at it every day, visualizing himself cashing it. In just five years, Carrey went from struggling actor to one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, earning $20 million dollars per film.

This story highlights the importance of visualizing success and setting clear, specific goals. When we can see ourselves achieving our…