Motivation The Will and Desire To Perform

By Anna Svedberg – an intern with Hult Labs. Currently pursuing a Masters in International Business at Hult International Business School. â€Å"Get going. Move forward. Aim High. Plan a takeoff. Dont just sit on the runway and hope someone will come along and push the airplane. It simply wont happen. Change your attitude and gain some altitude. Believe me, youll love it up here.† Donald Trump With just about six weeks left of a highly intensive year, it’s easy to drift off and lose focus. You want to enjoy your remaining time in the city you are currently in as much as possible, and are also probably in the process of finding a job, or figuring out where to go next. All of a sudden, schoolwork just dropped a few spots on your top ten list of priorities†¦and so did your motivation. But apart from wanting to spend more time outside of the classroom because graduation is around the corner, feeling the pressure to perform well due to external validations can be another reason for demotivation. You might feel pressure to perform at a high level because you think that’s what’s expected from your peers and family. Or, because you believe that having a high GPA is the only way to land your dream job. If these are factors that demotivate you, rather than help you boost your willingness to work hard, it’s important to be aware of what actions you can take in order to rejuvenate yourself and get back on track. So what is it then that actually motivates us? David Pink, author of the best selling book Drive, in which he explores exactly what motivates people, claims that true motivation consists of the following elements: â€Å"1) autonomy, the desire to direct our own lives, 2) mastery, the desire to continually improve at something that matters, and 3) purpose, the desire to do things in service of something larger than ourselves.† Pink argues that people are no longer motivated by external rewards, such as money, but rather by the three elements above due to many economic reasons. One of those being the fact that societies around the world are moving more towards creative, conceptual work, as opposed to routine, rules-based work. This means that employees are looking for incentives beyond pay; they want to feel that their work matters and that they are constantly improving in what they are doing. So what are some concrete activities you can do to spark your motivation? In her blog post, â€Å"14 Things Successful People Do on Weekends,† Jacquelyn Smith gives some great advice on how to ensure that your weekends are spent recovering from an intense week (because here’s one thing we know for sure; working too hard for too long leads to a drop in motivation). For one thing, spend time with friends and family. For those who hardly see their loved ones during the week, this is especially important. Because with who else would you rather share and celebrate your successes? Pursuing a passion is another way to boost your motivation. Let me give you an example on this one. When I was in high school I was a competitive horse rider. I would get up at 4:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning in order to get ready for a competition in some random town outside of the city where I lived. And I didn’t mind it at all. Horse riding has been one of my great passions for as long as I can remember and it is a great way to relieve stress and find new energy. And despite many hours spent in the stable every week, I still managed to graduate from high school with top grades. Spending time in the stable was a way for me to revitalize and become more focused and productive – even if it meant less time spent on my schoolwork. Because it’s not about spending 10 to 12 hours every day by your desk without letting yourself take a breather. That’s not being productive. The key is to work smartly by using your time wisely. What else? Volunteer work, networking, meditation, and avoiding chores are a few other things that you can do during weekends in order to start a new week fully energized, since they allow you to disconnect from your weekly â€Å"must do’s† and solely focus on things that enable you to relax and find new inspiration. According to Laura Venderkan, author of What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast and What the Most Successful People Do on the Weekend, successful people are aware of the fact that weekends are the secret weapon in professional success. â€Å"You need to hit Monday ready to go,† she says. â€Å"To do that, you need weekends that rejuvenate you, rather than exhaust or disappoint you. Cross-training makes you a better athlete, and likewise, exercise, volunteer work, spiritual activities, and hands-on parenting make you a better worker than if you just worked all the time.† And here’s another interesting piece on motivation by David Stephens, who attempts to answer the question: â€Å"How do we motivate people who have no incentive to learn?† According to Stephens, trying to motivate people is everything but the right approach. For example, students are not motivated by external rewards or validation, but when they are learning for the joy of learning itself. That is, students need support in building the self-motivation to learn. And there are certainly ways to do this. For one thing, it helps to give students control over their education; they should be writing learning journals where they set daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Another good approach is to create peer review boards, where students get a chance to share their learning goals, which creates a system of peer accountability. Overall, these approaches help emphasize the importance of learning for learning’s sake rather than focusing on external pressures. Stephens further highlights the significance of inspiring students to pursue their interests: â€Å"What most teachers don’t realize is that it’s their job to encourage students to pursue their own interests. It shouldn’t be their job to force a particular subject on a student who clearly has no desire to learn it. As students pursue their own interests, the need to expand their knowledge arises naturally. Teachers should be there to help, not discourage.† And doesn’t this go well in hand with Pink’s assertion that to continually improve on something that matters is part of what motivate us? Overall, my message to you is this: take the time to do something that you love. Whether it’s writing, playing an instrument, cooking, hanging out with your best friends, going for a run, or watching your favorite TV show. But don’t get me wrong: I’m not saying that attending school is a big demotivation altogether, but there will always be a subject or two that is not within your range of interest. Or, the pressure to perform might just be too much to handle. So whatever you love doing, use that as a tool to motivate yourself whenever you feel like you’re about to hit a downturn. And I’m not alone in dispensing this advice. Consider Google, where some employees get to work on any project they are passionate about 20% of their work time. So, perhaps you should consider making sure that 20% of your week is spent on doing exactly what you feel like doing. You might just find yourself happier†¦and more motivated. Photo courtesy of Dainis Matisons. Make the most of what your career has to offer with a Masters in International Business from Hult. To learn more, take a look at our blog Dare to disrupt: Preparing for change in a time of exponential growth, or give your employability a huge boost with an MBA in international business. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to explore everything about the business world, the future, and yourself. Related posts Academics Beyond (narrow) business concepts: â€Å"Soft† skills turn out to be critical skills News Building success: Dual Degree students win at USASBE Community How going beyond business at Hult helped me launch my company Admissions Accepted Students Weekend: A weekend to remember Careers Career mapping: How to become an executive in the next 5 years 0 Thought leadership How to prepare for an uncertain future in a world of AI Instagram Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .