Motivation is not enough

This morning, I took a red-eye flight home from a conference that was several time zones away. It was a terrific but intense conference for entrepreneurs, and I am bone-tired. Yet I am sitting here at my computer anyway, taking a risk that what I am writing now could turn out to be a confused jumble, because I am moved to achieve my company’s purpose.

Today, I just don’t have the energy to find much motivation, but I am pushing myself because my purpose is so strong that I can’t resist it. I am truly inspired to show up.

That’s the difference between purpose and motivation. Purpose is stable and solid. It gets us moving and keeps us going in the right direction, even when motivation is lacking. When we have purpose, we show up and give the very best, whatever “best” is at that moment.

Purpose rises above everything

For people of all ages on teams, motivation is a confusing and less-than-dependable driver of achievement. Motivation can vary widely from one person to another and from day to day. Where one person is motivated by competition or a big salary, another person – even one with identical job responsibilities – will be motivated by the potential research impact or by how much they enjoy the company of colleagues. Yet these same people, when they share purpose, will show up day after day, and they will work together to achieve purpose.

Motivation is also subject to change at the speed of life. Even the most committed marketing director, star salesperson or team leader can be distracted by both the good and the bad going on around them: anything from something as exciting as looking forward to a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to the distraction of a sick parent. That’s when purpose rises above everything. When we know purpose, we show up anyway.

How can you tell if a team knows and shares purpose? Here are two questions to ask yourself:

  1. Does this team struggle to understand why their work is important?
  2. Does this team seem to lack motivation?

If you answered “yes” to either (or both) of these questions, it is highly likely that this team does not understand their purpose. And they are in good company! Every day, we at Facilitator on Fire help individuals of all ages identify purpose, expectations and accountability.

We can help you and your intergenerational teams unite around purpose, so you can show up and give your best. Together, with purpose, you can achieve your greatest successes. Even when you are exhausted, jet-lagged, and distracted to the point of no motivation.

Want to talk about purpose? Send a message to Kay.

your guide

Kay Coughlin, business coach, advocate for family caregivers, and CEO of Facilitator On Fire, is on a mission to help small business leaders and solopreneurs re-ignite their passion for their businesses.

In every forum she can find, she shouts that it's OK for every human to earn a living, set and enforce boundaries around their bodies, thoughts, feelings and actions. You can join Kay's free, private online community to talk about boundaries here.

Kay also teaches about emotional labor, how to rest, and Human Giver Syndrome, and is the host of the "From One Caregiver to Another" podcast and author of "From One Caregiver to Another - Overcoming Your Emotional Grind."

Kay is well-known for her public speaking on boundaries and self-care. 

Facilitator on Fire is a subsidiary of Donor Relations Mindset LLC, which Kay founded in 2015. She lives with her husband and children in central Ohio, and is the primary caregiver for her own mother, who lives right next door. Kay can be found on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Copyright 2022. All rights reserved, Julia Kay Coughlin and Facilitator On Fire.

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2 Comments

  1. Brad Griffith

    This is just what I needed today, Kay. Thank you! I’m both motivated and driven by purpose, but I all too often focus on the motivation rather than our purpose when taking with my team.

    • Kay Coughlin

      Thanks, Brad! You are a good leader and I know how deeply you care about your team. Yes, going back to purpose will serve you and your team the best every day.