FAQ - How do I improve Motivation Style

Motivation Style

Motivation style specifically refers to how employees motivate themselves and work towards important goals. As a fundamental psychological driver, it describes not only why employees adapt to change because of differences in what they desire but how they adapt because of their unique strategies, behaviors, or thoughts that result from their motivation style. Within AQ, motivation style reflects the difference between “playing to protect” and “playing to win.”

Tips to improve

• When making a to-do list, add tasks you have already completed and break down each task into mini-manageable tasks
• Practice positive self-talk and gratitude
• Deepen nourishing relationships
• Consider what you are moving towards, not just moving away from
  

Resources/Evidence
7 Powerful Ways to Increase Self-Motivation
How to increase self-motivation: reduce your to-do list, simplify, combine your small tasks, focus on your accomplishments, set measurable goals, focus on giving, deepen relationships, create and repeat a new positive habit, increase gratitude, increase your energy, donate your time to things that motivate you.

Source: Marak Pettit, Thrive

How to Get Motivated: 10 Tips to Improve Your Self-Motivation
This article offers 10 tips on how to increase motivation as well as points out things that decrease motivation. Focus on small wins by making a to-do list of what you’ve already completed. Focus on self-motivating talk and attributing your thoughts to your actions (better explained in the article). The article highlights common negative lies we tell ourselves and how to avoid them. Looking at where you put yourself down and focus on eliminating that from your life. Get rid of limiting wishes such as “I will have friends once I get a better job”. This article mainly focuses on how to recenter the way one talks to themselves in order to increase motivation.

Source: Vanessa Van Edwards, Science of People

Do You Play to Win – or to Not Lose?
This article explores the different motivational focuses that can predict performance. People that are promotion-focused see their goals as creating a path to advancement; they are comfortable taking chances, like to work quickly, dream big, and think creatively. Prevention-focused people see their goals as responsibilities; they are vigilant, risk-averse, thorough, and accurate, and like to maintain the status quo. Motivational focus affects how we approach life’s challenges. It affects what we pay attention to, what we value, and how we feel when we succeed or fail. Once you know your focus, you can choose role models, frame goals, seek or give feedback, and provide incentives that will strengthen your motivation or your team’s. This article details how you can create a motivational fit, which enhances and sustains both the eagerness of the promotion-minded and the vigilance of the prevention-minded.

Source: Heidi Grant and E. Tory Higgins, Harvard Business Review

Do You Play to Win or Not To Lose?
This article explores the motivation factors of individuals that are "away" motivated (fear of losing) and those that are "towards" motivated (driven to win). The article looks at the merits of each and ways to move from one type to another, as well as outlines the third type of motivation -- experience-oriented.

Source: Coach Dris, The Body and Mind Coach

Do You Have The Wrong Kind Of Motivation?
This article further explores the "away-from" and "towards" motivation types and how to balance the two in order to achieve your goals without becoming stressed. The article also provides some tips if you have too much "away-from" motivation and too little "towards."

Source: Andy Smith, Coaching Leaders

Seven Ways To Cure Your Aversion To Risk
In order to improve the "towards" motivation you may need to become less risk averse. This article outlines seven tips to help you become more comfortable with risk: start with small bets, imagine the worst-case scenario, develop a portfolio of options, have the courage not to know, don't confuse taking a risk with gambling, take your eyes off of the prize, and be comfortable with good enough.

Source: Stephanie Vozza, Fast Company

Developed by Dr. Rebecca Sutherns | Last updated November 23, 2022 | How to - A Quick Reference Guide when Coaching on AQ Subdimensions. – AQai Support