Motivation 1-2-3: All you need to know about the inner drive and the coaching relationship

Motivation 1-2-3: All you need to know about the inner drive and the coaching relationship

Have you ever felt that even though you know what you should do, you are not able to take the necessary steps? Or perhaps you have found that your initial enthusiasm quickly wanes and you find it difficult to find the strength to carry on? Don't worry, you are not alone! Lack of motivation can affect all of our lives, but fortunately there are effective ways to reignite our inner fire and achieve our goals.

In this article, we'll cover all aspects of motivation: you'll learn about its concept, types, mechanisms and how it works, how a coach can help to stay motivated and make your dreams come true. Whether you're looking for professional advancement or personal goals, you'll find the knowledge and tools you need to make a successful change.

Short for mobile version: If you are reading this article on mobile and just want to get to the point, focus on "Mobile highlighting" which summarise the most important information!

What is motivation really?

Mobile highlighting: Motivation is the internal driving force that makes you take action. It can be intrinsic (pleasure, development) or extrinsic (reward, recognition). The key to lasting motivation is to find internal motivation.

Motivation is a Latin word, from the verb "movere" (to move, to move), which essentially means the force that makes us act. It is the inner drive that motivates us to set goals and stick to them even when we face difficulties.

But motivation is not simply a desire or a will - it is a much more complex phenomenon. It encompasses all the biological, emotional, social and cognitive forces that activate and guide our behaviour. When we are motivated, we feel energetic, we see our goals more clearly and we are more likely to make efforts to achieve them.

The importance of motivation in our lives

Motivation not only helps you to get out of bed in the morning, it also helps you to:

• Work hard to achieve your goals
• Overcome obstacles and difficulties
• Develop your skills and abilities
• Find satisfaction and fulfilment in your activities
• Achieve your dreams and reach your maximum potential

Interestingly, motivation is not constant - it is constantly changing, fluctuating, sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker in our lives. This is natural, which is why it is important to understand how it works and how to maintain it in the long term.

The psychological background of motivation

The psychological understanding of motivation has evolved over the decades. Different theories and models explain what drives us to act and how we stay motivated.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Mobile highlighting: According to Maslow, we must first satisfy our basic needs (food, security) before we can turn to higher motivations (self-actualisation).

According to Abraham Maslow's famous model, human motivation is organised in a hierarchical system. According to his theory, the satisfaction of basic physiological needs (hunger, thirst) and the need for security are primary. Only then do social needs (belonging, love) become important, followed by the desire for recognition and finally self-actualisation.

This theory helps you understand why it is difficult to, for example, work on creative projects or personal development focus when our basic sense of security or livelihood is at risk. A coaching process it is important to identify the level at which the client is experiencing problems so that they can get the right support.

The self-determination theory

Ryan and Deci's theory of self-determination identifies three basic psychological needs, the satisfaction of which is essential for sustained motivation:

1. Autonomy - The feeling that we can make our own decisions
2. Competence - A sense of capability and effectiveness in our activities
3. Contact - Meaningful relationships with others

When these needs are met, we are more motivated and more likely to experience intrinsic motivation. Supporting these needs in the coaching process is crucial.

The flow experience and motivation

Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, a Hungarian-born psychologist, coined the term "flow" to describe the state of being completely immersed in an activity, losing track of time and giving maximum performance. The flow experience occurs when:

• The level of challenge and our skills are in balance (neither too easy nor too difficult)
• We have clear goals
• We get immediate feedback
• We focus our full attention on the task at hand

The state of flow is strong intrinsic motivation, and one of the aims of coaching is may help clients to experience this state more often.

Positive motivation

Positive motivation is the internal driving force that motivates us to act in the hope of achieving some reward, pleasure or desired goal. It is not a fear of punishment fear, but the exhilarating feeling ofthat something good is waiting for us: a recognition, a sense of achievement, progress or simply the joy of doing something. Positive motivation has the power to increase perseverance, creativity and self-confidence, so it is particularly effective when it comes to achieving long-term goals. In coaching, we often build on this resource - so that the client not only 'does' but is happy to do what they have chosen to do.

The positive power / impact of motivation

Positive motivation is a powerful force that not only spurs you to action, but also strengthens your self-confidence and faith in our own abilities. When we start something in the hope of achieving a desired goal, success or reward, it energises us, inspires us and helps us overcome obstacles. This kind of forward-looking motivation can mobilise our inner resources and give us a sense of being able to change, grow and achieve what we want. From self-confidence growth fuels motivation even further - creating a positive spiral that provides sustainable momentum over the long term. This is where coaching can be particularly helpful: it can help you to be aware of your strengths, recognise your successes and move forward with courage towards your goals.

Types and forms of motivation

Mobile highlighting: Intrinsic motivation (pleasure, curiosity, development) is more enduring than extrinsic motivation (pay, recognition, avoiding punishment). Both may be necessary, but developing intrinsic motivation is key.

There are several types of motivation, and each one affects our behaviour differently. The two main categories are intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

Internal motivation

In the case of intrinsic motivation, the activity itself has a rewarding value for us. We talk about intrinsic motivation when:

• We do something purely for pleasure
• Curiosity drives us
• We feel pleasure and satisfaction from the activity
• A personal development and learning itself is valuable to us

Examples of intrinsic motivation:

• Reading because you like to immerse yourself in stories
• Making music for the love of music
• Running because you enjoy the movement
• Learning new skills for the sheer joy of progress

Intrinsic motivation tends to provide more lasting and deeper satisfaction. Research shows that people who are driven by intrinsic motivation are more creative, more persistent and psychologically healthier.

External motivation

In the case of extrinsic motivation, the action is not rewarding in itself, but is performed because of some external factor:

• Earning rewards (salary, promotion, good grade)
• Receiving recognition or praise
• Avoiding penalties or negative consequences
• Meeting societal expectations

Examples of external motivation:

• Working for pay
• Learning for good grades
• Chores to avoid conflict
• Exercise to look good in the eyes of others

Extrinsic motivation can be effective, especially in the short term, but it is usually not as long-lasting as intrinsic motivation. Over time, external motivators may lose their effectiveness or a larger 'dose' of them may be needed.

Other forms of motivation

In addition to intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, motivation can also be grouped according to other aspects:

1. Positive and negative motivation

• Positive motivation: We strive to achieve something desirable (reward, success, pleasure)
• Negative motivation: Something we want to avoid (pain, failure, punishment)

Both can be effective, but positive motivation usually means a more pleasant experience and less stress.

2. Conscious and unconscious motivation

• Conscious motivation: We know what motivates us
• Unconscious motivation: Driving forces of which we are not fully aware

One of the values of the coaching process is that it helps us to uncover unconscious motivations that can hinder or help us.

3. Motivation for performance, connectedness and autonomy

Psychologist David McClelland has identified three basic motivational needs:

• Performance motivation: The pursuit of excellence and success
• Motivation to connect: The need to belong and accept others
• Powerful motivation: The desire for influence and control

We all have all three, but to different degrees. Coaching can help us identify our dominant motivational patterns and balance them.

The motivation process - How it works?

Mobile highlighting: The process of motivation: recognition of need → goal setting → action → satisfaction or frustration → new goals. Coaching helps you to become aware of and optimise this cycle.

Motivation is not a one-off event, but a process consisting of several steps. Understanding this can help the process to manage our own motivation more consciously.

The cycle of motivation

1. Emergence of a need or desire: The process begins when we recognise an unmet need or desire. It can be basic (hunger), psychological (desire for recognition) or complex (self-actualisation).
2. Setting a target: We set targets to meet the need. For example, if we want recognition, we might aim to successfully complete a project.
3. Developing an action plan: We define strategies and concrete steps to achieve the goal.
4. Implementation of action: We are investing energy and effort to make the plan a reality.
5. Evaluation of results: We assess whether we have achieved the objective and met the original need.
6. Satisfaction or frustration: When we have achieved the goal, we feel satisfied. If not, we experience frustration, which can trigger another motivational cycle.

This process can be conscious or largely automatic. One of the great advantages of coaching is that it helps to make you aware of this cycle and to intervene in the right places.

Motivation and perseverance

The strength of motivation depends not only on how strong the initial urge is, but also on:

• How clear is the objective
• How much we believe we can achieve (self-efficacy)
• What value we place on the result
• What obstacles we face
• What support environment is available to us

This relationship is described by the formula "Motivational Power = Value × Expectation", which states that our motivation will be strong if we value the goal and believe we can achieve it.

Why do we lose motivation?

Mobile highlighting: Causes of loss of motivation: too distant or vague goals, fear of failure, overwork, lack of energy, past failures and changes in values. The coach helps you identify these and find solutions.

Almost all of us have experienced that our initial enthusiasm wanes and we lose motivation. This can be caused by a variety of factors:

1. Targets too distant or vague

When the goal is too far away or not specific enough, it's easy to lose direction. It's hard to stay motivated when you don't see progress or know exactly where you're going.

2. Fear of failure

The fear of not achieving the goal can be a serious obstacle to motivation. This is especially true if we are perfectionists or if we are anxious about past failures.

3. Overwork and burnout

When we take on too many tasks or work too intensively for too long, our energy levels drop and burnout can set in. It's hard to find motivation to do anything.

4. Loss of external motivators

If we are motivated mainly by external factors (such as rewards or recognition) and these become inadequate or habitual, we can easily lose enthusiasm.

5. Conflict between internal values and action

If we work towards goals that are not really in line with our values or deeper desires, motivation will sooner or later dry up.

6. Lack of physical and mental energy

Lack of sleep, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle or stress are all factors that can reduce our energy levels and therefore our motivation.

7. Lack of social support

Human relationships energise us. If we work on our goals in isolation, or if our environment is unsupportive, it is harder to maintain motivation.

8. Impact of past failures

Motivation is strongly influenced by how we have interpreted our past successes and failures. Attributing our failures to a lack of skills can undermine our future motivation.

9. Changing circumstances and priorities

Life changes, and what was once important may no longer be. If we don't regularly review our goals, our motivation can be diminished.

The coaching process can be particularly effective in identifying and overcoming these motivational barriers. A good coach will help you identify the underlying causes and develop personalised strategies to address them.

Motivational techniques and strategies

Mobile highlighting: Effective motivational techniques: setting SMART goals, small steps, visualisation, optimising the environment, reward systems, accountability partnering, changing your self-image.

There are many proven effective techniques to increase and maintain motivation. Here are some of the most effective ones:

1. Setting SMART targets

Motivation is stronger when you set goals:

• Specific (concrete)
• Measurable (measurable)
• Achievable (feasible)
• Relevant (relevant)
• Time-bound (time-bound)

Instead of saying "I want to live healthier", a SMART goal would be "I will exercise 3 times a week for 30 minutes and eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day for the next 3 months."

2. Small steps method

Big goals should be broken down into smaller, manageable chunks. Each small success releases dopamine in the brain, which increases motivation to keep going. This is the essence of the continuous improvement philosophy known as "Kaizen".

3. Visualisation and mental rehearsal

Visualising the result and the process helps to maintain motivation. Athlete Olympians and successful leaders use this technique regularly:

• Imagine the goal in detail
• Anticipate success with all your senses
• Visualise both the process and the overcoming of obstacles

4. Optimising the environment

Our environment has a significant impact on our motivation:

• Remove distractions
• Surround yourself with inspiring people
• Create a supportive physical environment
• Use reminders and visual cues

5. Establishing implementation intent

"If-then" plans increase the probability of action. For example.

6. Reward system

Even with intrinsic motivation, building small rewards into the process can be effective:

• Short-term rewards in the process
• Greater reward for reaching the end goal
• Timing and consistency of rewards is key

7. Accountability partnering

A supportive partner who holds you to account can significantly increase motivation and performance. This can be:

• Coach or mentor
• Friend or family member
• Group of peers with similar goals

8. Change self-definition

The identity-based motivation is very strong. Instead of saying "I want to run a marathon", try this: "I'm a runner." Changing your self-definition can lead to deeper and more lasting changes.

9. Clarifying the "why"

Exploring meaningful goals and deeper motivation will help you get through difficult times. Ask yourself:

• Why is this really important to me?
• What are my values served by this goal?
• How does this relate to the kind of person I want to be?

10. Conscious presence and self-observation

Practising mindfulness helps:

• Recognising the ebbs and flows of motivation
• To raise awareness of internal resistance
• Dealing with difficulties more objectively
• Better enjoy the process

Throughout the coaching process, an experienced coach can help you select and tailor the techniques that will be most effective for the person and situation.

The relationship between coaching and motivation

Mobile highlighting: Coaching is effective in improving motivation because it is personalised, reveals real goals, provides support, ensures accountability and helps bridge the knowledge-action gap.

Coaching is a particularly effective way to develop and maintain motivation. This is no coincidence - many elements of the coaching process are based specifically on the mechanisms of motivation.

The Role of Coaching in Increasing Motivation

Coaching is a developmental process in which the coach supports the client in achieving goals, developing skills and overcoming obstacles. Coaching can be particularly effective in increasing motivation in the following ways:

The Effectiveness of Coaching in Increasing Motivation

Numerous studies and practical experience show that coaching is an effective tool for increasing motivation. The support and structured approach provided by the coach contributes to the clients' self-confidence, goal achievement and personal development.

Motivation plays a key role in different areas of our lives, whether it's personal development, career or other goals.

Why is coaching effective in improving motivation?

1. Personalisation Every person's motivational pattern is unique. What inspires one person may leave another cold. Coaching is not a "one-size-fits-all" approach, but builds on individual values, strengths and preferences.
2. Finding the real targets Often we set ourselves goals that are not really our own, but come from external expectations. Coaching helps us to identify goals that are truly in line with our values and desires, and thus create a stronger, intrinsic motivation.
3. Supportive and challenging environment The coaching relationship is both supportive and challenging. The coach creates a safe space where we can experiment and make mistakes, but also makes sure we stay in our comfort zone.
4. Accountability and monitoring We know that we are much more likely to keep our commitments if we are accountable to someone. A coach not only helps you set goals, but also monitors their achievement, which significantly increases motivation.
5. Bridging the knowledge-action gap Many times we know what we should do, but we don't do it. This "knowledge-action gap" is one of the most common obstacles to achieving our goals. Coaching not only provides knowledge, but also helps to identify and address the barriers to action.

Motivational elements of the coaching process

Different stages of the coaching process support motivation in different ways:

1. Establishing the link Building trust and psychological safety allows us to honestly explore our motivational barriers and fears.
2. Clarifying goals and values Coaching helps us to identify the goals that are really important to us and to uncover the values behind them, which strengthens our inner motivation.
3. Exploring barriers and beliefs The coach helps you identify and reframe limiting beliefs and thinking patterns that can undermine your motivation.
4. Developing strategies Personalised action plans and strategies increase the sense of self-efficacy and thus motivation.
5. Experimentation and learning Coaching encourages experimentation and learning from failure, which reinforces a growth mindset.
6. Regular feedback Continuous feedback helps to adjust strategies and maintain a sense of progress.
7. Celebration and recognition Consciously celebrating success increases dopamine levels and strengthens the motivational cycle.

How does a coach help you find and maintain motivation?

Mobile highlighting: The coach will help you with concrete tools to motivate yourself: building on your strengths, clarifying goals, providing accountability and identifying real obstacles, supporting you in developing your individual path.

A good coach has a number of specific tools and techniques to help you find and maintain motivation:

1. Identify and exploit strengths

A coach helps you to identify your natural strengths and talents and encourages you to build on them. A strengths-based approach is more motivating and sustainable than focusing on weaknesses.

Specific tools:

• Creating a strengths inventory
• Analysis of success stories
• Identifying flow experiences

2. Identifying internal motivators

The coach will help you identify the deeper values, passions and desires that can be a real, lasting motivation for you.

Specific tools:

• Value engineering exercises
• "Why" exploratory questions
• Life wheel and satisfaction scales

Stories of successful internal transformations

Nothing illustrates the power of inner drive better than real stories. The following case studies illustrate how coaching has helped people in different life situations to find new momentum.

Career change over 40 - Anna's story

At 42, after ten years in finance, Anna felt burnt out. She no longer found joy in her work, found it difficult to get up in the mornings and her weekends were overshadowed by anxiety about the next working week.

"I knew I had to make a change, but I had no idea where to start. Every direction seemed scary and uncertain," she recalls.

During the coaching process, Anna explored her values and discovered that for her, connecting directly with people and helping them was more important than she had previously thought. After six months of self-discovery and incremental steps, she retrained in HR, where she now works in human resource development.

"I'm not saying it was always easy. There were moments when I would have turned back. But the coach helped me see clearly why I should persevere and what small steps I could take to move forward."

Enhancing sports performance - the case of Peter

Peter was an amateur triathlete who had not been able to break through a certain performance level for years. Despite training more, he felt he had reached his limits and was losing enthusiasm for the sport, which had once been his passion.

"I was constantly comparing myself to other people and it was sapping my enthusiasm. I was no longer doing sport for the pleasure of it, but for some external standard I was imposing on myself."

During the coaching process, Peter redefined what success means to him. Instead of focusing solely on time results and placings, he started to pay attention to the process and the small signs of his own progress. He learned to enjoy his training and appreciate his body's performance.

"The biggest change was in my head. I'm no longer scared of training and competitions, I look forward to them with excitement. And interestingly, since I've started to enjoy the sport again, my results have started to improve."

Overcoming writer's block - Márta's experience

Márta is a writer who, after two successful books, has suffered a serious creative crisis. She was unable to write for months and began to lose her professional identity.

"I panicked. I felt like I would never be able to create something I could be proud of again. Every sentence felt forced and lifeless."

The coaching revealed that Márta had become over-reliant on external feedback and recognition, which was paralysing her creativity. The coach helped her find her way back to the original joy of creating for its own sake.

"I have relearned to write for myself, not for critics or readers. Paradoxically, as soon as I let go of the compulsion to be perfect, the writing started flowing again."

These stories show that finding your inner drive is not a one-off event, but a process. We all experience ups and downs, but with the right support and tools, we can find the momentum and passion again.

Challenges of the digital age: How to stay focused in an age of constant distractions?

Digital tools and a constant online presence have created new challenges for internal focus and perseverance. Constant notifications, a culture of multitasking and information overload are testing our ability to stay focused on a task for longer.

The economics of attention

Attention is a finite resource, and today it is competing for more and more platforms and applications. Social media, streaming services and news sites are specifically designed to make us spend as much time as possible on them - often at the expense of our productivity and inner focus.

Research has shown that the average office worker spends just 3 minutes working without interruption before something (a message, notification or thought) distracts them. After each such interruption, it takes on average 23 minutes to fully return to the original task.

Dopamine addiction and instant gratification

One of the biggest impacts of smartphones and social platforms is their influence on our brain's reward system. New notifications, likes and messages cause a dopamine release, which is associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.

This constant, immediate feedback system gradually retunes our brains to make delayed rewards harder to bear - which is the basis for persevering with long-term goals.

Creating a digital balance

A coach can help you develop strategies to regain control of your attention:

1. Conscious use of technology:
   • Personalise and restrict notifications
   • Use screen time tracking apps
   • Introducing digital detox periods
2. Planning deeper working periods:
   • Pomodoro technique (25 minutes concentrated work, 5 minutes break)
   • Blocked schedule in the calendar
   • Communicating "Do Not Disturb" periods to colleagues
3. Managing mental resources:
   • Taking regular breaks
   • Meditation and mindful presence practice
   • Attention-regenerating activities (time spent in nature, exercise)

Striking a digital balance doesn't mean giving up on technology altogether, but using it consciously and purposefully, rather than letting it control your attention and time.

The neuropsychological background of self-discipline and perseverance

Self-discipline, perseverance and inner drive are not just a matter of willpower - they are underpinned by a complex system of neurological and psychological processes. Understanding these can help you develop more effective strategies.

Executive functions of the brain

The prefrontal part of the cortex is responsible for executive functions that allow us to resist temptations, delay gratification and persevere with long-term goals:

1. Inhibitory control: ability to withhold impulses
2. Working memory: keeping and manipulating information in the head
3. Cognitive flexibility: switching between different tasks and perspectives

These functions can be developed, just like muscles - regular 'training' strengthens them.

Willpower as a finite resource?

Research has long supported the theory of 'willpower depletion', whereby our self-discipline is a finite resource that runs out with use (like muscle power). But more recent research suggests that this is more a matter of belief - if we believe our willpower is inexhaustible, we are more resilient.

The neurology of habits

Habits are formed by the basal ganglia in the brain. When a behaviour is repeated many times, the brain "automates" it, so it requires less mental effort.

One of the great benefits of the coaching process is that it helps you to consciously develop habits that support your goals, so you don't have to rely on your willpower all the time.

How do we put this knowledge into practice?

1. Optimising the environment: Shape your environment to minimise temptations so you have less need to rely on inhibitory control.
2. Managing mental resources: Plan the tasks that require the most concentration for times when you're at your freshest.
3. Establishing micro-habits: Build small, easy-to-do habits that become automatic over time and lead to bigger changes.
4. Mindset at work: Work on seeing your willpower as a renewable, developable skill, not as a finite resource.
5. Practising self-observation: Being consciously present helps you to recognise the signs of resistance within and to respond to them more consciously, rather than automatically.

The psychology of peak performance: lessons from elite athletes and leaders

Elite athletes and exceptional leaders are not successful simply because of their talent - it is their inner attitude, mental habits and mindset that enables them to excel over the long term.

Growth mindset

Research by psychologist Carol Dweck has shown that more successful people have a "growth mindset" - they believe their skills can be developed through persistent work and learning. In contrast, the "fixed mindset" assumes that talent and intelligence are permanent, innate qualities.

A growth mindset allows you to:

• See failures as learning opportunities
• Enjoy the challenges
• Be more persistent in times of difficulty
• Be less afraid of making mistakes

Mental toughness and resilience

What often sets elite athletes apart from their peers is not their outstanding physical abilities, but their mental toughness. This ability includes:

• Commitment: a deep, inner motivation for the goals
• A sense of control: faith that you can influence the outcome
• Challenge-oriented: interpreting difficulties as opportunities
• Confidence: belief in your own abilities

Optimum performance status: the flow

Peak performers are able to regularly reach a state of flow when:

• They are totally immersed in the task
• Their perception of time changes
• The activity itself has a rewarding value
• A balance of skills and challenge

During the coaching process you can learn how to create the conditions for flow:

• Setting clear goals
• Provide immediate feedback
• Striking a balance between skills and challenges
• Eliminating distractions

Visualisation and mental preparation

Olympians and elite athletes spend a significant part of their time in mental preparation:

• Detailed visualisation of performance
• Anticipate potential obstacles and solutions
• Mental rehearsals for stressful situations

These techniques can contribute to your business and professional success - a coach can help you adapt them to your own goals.

The power of routines and rituals

Top performers don't rely on momentary inspiration or their mood - they develop consistent routines and rituals that help them achieve the right physical and mental state:

• Morning routines to optimise energy levels
• Preparatory rituals before important events
• Closing routines for recovery and reflection

A coach can help you identify which routines would best serve your goals and personal style, and then support you in implementing them consistently.

Building systemic momentum: it's not just internal factors that matter

Perseverance and inner drive is not just an internal, psychological issue - it requires a systemic approach that takes into account environmental, social and structural factors.

Impact of the social environment

Jim Rohn is often quoted as saying "you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with". Research backs this up - our social environment has a powerful influence:

• Our standards and expectations
• Our belief systems about what is possible
• The intensity of our efforts
• Our perseverance in times of difficulty

As part of the coaching process, it is worth mapping and consciously shaping your social environment:

• Who supports your goals and inspires you?
• Who are those who (even unconsciously) pull you back?
• How can you build a supportive community?

Identifying systemic barriers

Sometimes the problem is not a lack of inner determination, but systemic obstacles that make it difficult to move forward:

• Time and energy consuming structural factors
• Excessive administrative burdens
• Poor information flow
• Conflicting expectations
• Lack of supporting infrastructure

A systemic coach will help you identify these obstacles and develop strategies to deal with them or circumvent them.

Energy management vs. time management

Traditionally, we focus on time management, when often it is not our time but our energy that is the scarce resource. Our energy levels are affected:

• Our mental purity
• Our emotional stability
• Our creativity
• Stay tuned
• Our decision-making capacity

During coaching you can explore:

• What charges and what drains energy?
• When is your energy level at its peak and how can you take advantage of it?
• What remedial actions do you need?
• How can you create an energy-conscious work schedule?

The importance of environmental design

Our environment constantly sends signals to our brain that influence our behaviour and decisions. Based on the "nudge" theory, small environmental changes can make it much easier to follow good habits:

• Placing visual reminders
• Reducing barriers to desired behaviour
• Making undesirable behaviours more difficult
• Conscious design of a "decision architecture"

One of the great benefits of environmental planning is that it reduces the need to rely on willpower, enabling more sustainable change.

Value-based inner drive: the power of "why"

According to Viktor Frankl, the creator of logotherapy, "he who knows the why can tolerate almost any how". Reason-based inner drive is the strongest and most enduring form of perseverance.

The three sources of reason according to Frankl

1. Creation and performance: Creating value and contributing to the world
2. Experiences and connections: Experiencing love, beauty and justice
3. Attitude towards suffering: How we cope in difficult circumstances

During the coaching process you can explore which intellectual dimension is strongest for you and how to build on it.

Finding your personal mission

A personal mission doesn't have to be grandiose or world-changing - it can simply be something that holds deep meaning for you. A personal mission:

• Connecting your activities to your deeper values
• Guidance for difficult decisions
• Gives you energy in difficult times
• Helps you prioritise your commitments

A coach can help you explore your personal mission by asking questions such as:

• What really matters to you?
• What are you willing to sacrifice for?
• What is the legacy you want to leave behind?
• What problems affect you deeply?

Ikigai: The Japanese concept of internal driving force

Ikigai is a Japanese term meaning "something worth getting up for in the morning". This perspective seeks the intersection of the four elements of inner drive:

1. What you love
2. What you're good at
3. What they pay for
4. What the world needs

During the coaching process, you can map these areas and identify activities or roles that include all four elements.

The power of transcendent goals

Research shows that people who work for goals beyond themselves (e.g. helping others, serving a cause, supporting future generations) have more sustained drive and greater resilience.

Coaching can help you to discover how to connect your everyday activities to larger, transcendent goals, even if you are working in a seemingly mundane field.

Frequently Asked Questions