Difference between Motivation vs Inspiration

What drives you to take action? Motivation and inspiration may seem similar on the surface. But understanding what is the difference between motivation vs inspiration can help unlock your potential. Motivation relies more on external pressures or promised rewards, often manifesting as should.

Motivation vs Inspiration: What’s the Difference?

Inspiration taps into passion from within about why you want something. Leveraging both can help sustain meaningful change.

Defining Key Characteristics

Motivation involves an impetus to action that typical comes from:

External pressures or demands

The desire to gain a separable outcome like fame, money or approval Comparing yourself to others

Obligation and guilt

The urge to move away from discomfort or threats In contrast, inspiration stems more from:

Connecting to your authentic purpose and values

Feeling genuine enthusiasm about the process, not the result A pull toward growth and actualization from within

Joy, interest or meaning found in the work itself

Simple put, motivation pushes, sometimes through carrots and sticks. Inspiration pulls by natural, sustainable desire.

Motivation Often Relies on “Shoulds”

Common motivational inner dialogues include:

I should exercise to lose weight

Also, I should practice that instrument if I ever want to perform

I should save more money for retirement  I should get this done to prove myself

Here, the source of action lies external to the task itself. You likely wouldn’t choose it without those dangling if-then rewards or fears. It becomes mere means to an end. The work gets done through self-discipline and willpower. But you may daydream about when it’s finished rather than immersing yourself in the process.

Inspiration Comes From Within

In contrast, inspired thinkers sound more like:

I enjoy pushing my body and feel so alive afterward!

Playing songs flows through me with ease when I get lost in the music Saving now creates security for later pursuits

I love mastering new programs and seeing solutions come together

With inspiration, the action itself aligns deeply with your interests and values. You want this for its inherent rewards beyond any external validating metrics. It comes far more easily. Time flies by absorbed in the creative flow.

Benefits of Motivation

Motivation serves an important function in driving us past inertia. doubt or impatience through tried carrots and sticks like:

Greater Focus and Effort:

Dangling rewards or Instilling fears about consequences can laser focus attention on usually tedious tasks from taxes to scrubbing floors.

Structure and Diligence:

External regulations, deadlines or competitions impose structure leading to more diligent practice. Musicians may set daily practice minimums. Writers submit to editorial deadlines.

Short Term Goal Achievement:

Even activities you don’t inherently enjoy can get completed through self-imposed discipline just to check it off the list.

So motivation helps persist at must-do chores or skill-building. But sustaining long-term change usually requires inspiration’s spark too.

Why Inspiration Matters More Over Time

Studies find inspiration correlates to greater engagement, meaning, well-being and life satisfaction. Key upsides include:

Enhanced Performance:

Researchers find students, athletes and employees inspired by their work far outperform their merely motivated and disengaged peers over time.

Increased Vitality:

Flow states possible when inspired increase positive emotions, optimal functioning and even cardiac coherence. People describe feeling alive and energetic.

Multiplier Effect:

Inspired people radiate infectious enthusiasm that spreads. Others feed off their passion making wider scale change through collaborations more likely. The soul-nourishing fire of inspiration empowers people changing the world. Motivators may work hard, but the inspired also work heart.

Tapping Both Motivation and Inspiration

Sustainable change usually results from dialing up inspiration while still applying motivation judicious.

For example, a songwriter may rely on discipline to practice guitar scales daily before losing herself composing original lyrical melodies. An aspiring author might set timed writing sessions to build habit. then write from creative flow about what captivates her heart. In short, motivation helps get started while inspiration fuels the journey. Balance self-applied pressures with genuine enthusiasm.

Finding Inspiration from Within

While we cannot force inspiration, we can cultivate conditions conducive to sparking it by:

Reconnecting to Passions:

Recall childhood dreams. What positive core values resonate? Inspiration often springs from expressing authentic selves.

Checking Alignment:

Assess how work and life activities align with who you are, values and beliefs at a soul level. Make adjustments to close gaps.

Allowing Mind Wandering:

Boredom during routine tasks may spark new insights when thoughts meander to creative connections. Capture lightning bolts.

Chasing Curiosities:

Follow intellectual fascinations and empty calendar spaces purposeful going off script. Discovery happens wandering unscripted paths.

Surrounding Yourself Inspiration:

Who and what energizes you? Seek out enthused mentors, motivational media or collaborators to exchange ideas. Enthusiasm breeds inspiration

FAQs

Can motivation and inspiration work together?

Yes, motivation and inspiration complement each other well. Motivation provides the kick start through extra incentives and pressures. Inspiration sustains long term action through meaning and purpose. High performers leverage both intentionally.

Is inspiration better than motivation?

Inspiration enables superior outcomes over time through heightened engagement, enjoyment and energy. But even inspired creators rely on motivation. periodically to meet deadlines, practice fundamentals or complete tedious tasks. Enroute to bigger goals. Balance helps pace efforts.

What happens with motivation but no inspiration?

Imposing goals through carrot and stick motivation without genuine buy-in may work briefly through self-discipline. But as rewards attained or harsh realities of costs set in, you risk disengagement, resentment or burnout. Passion energizes the long haul.

In Conclusion

Both motivation and inspiration can drive meaningful action. Motivation often relies on external reinforcement like rewards or comparisons to spur effort. Inspiration taps into

internal passion for growth seeking expression. Inspired creators immersed in purpose can change paradigms losing track of time.

Maximize success by playing to both strategies. First motivate through specific structured systems to build skills. Then follow inspirations, aligning work to values for meaning and wellbeing.

The motivated may reach goals through self-discipline, but the inspired reach new horizons. What could you achieve pursuing endeavors that move you with positive urgency? This lifetime offers a unique palette for your passions. Make the most of it by igniting inspired action today!

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