Belief and Motivation: The Dynamic Duo
There is a cross-sectionality between belief and motivation. We've all heard the popular phrase "when there's a will, there's a way". When there is the presence of an indelible belief, one is more motivated to do things that are indicative or telegraphic of that belief. Your beliefs can have a huge impact on how motivated you are to achieve your goals.
Let's start by defining a couple of key words. Belief is defined as the mental state in which an individual holds a particular idea or premise to be true. Belief is the trust, faith or confidence in someone or something. Motivation, on the other hand, is the driving force that propels us to take action towards a goal. Motivation is the reason why one behaves or acts in a certain manner. So you may be wondering, how are these two concepts connected?
It turns out that our beliefs about ourselves and our abilities play a huge factor in how motivated we are to achieve our goals. According to a study by the University of California, individuals who have a "growth mindset" (the belief that abilities can be developed through effort) are more likely to be motivated to take on challenges and persevere through difficulties. On the other hand, individuals who have a "fixed mindset" (the belief that abilities are set in stone or rigid) are more likely to give up when faced with challenges. They’re also less likely to take risks or try new things because they are afraid of failure.
For example if someone has a goal of becoming a body-builder that competes in contests, they will do things that support the belief that they have the ability become a body-builder such as planning their meals, lifting weights, taking supplements, and mastering competition expectations. All of their efforts will be in service of this goal.
If you're looking to increase your motivation, it might be helpful to take an evaluative look at your beliefs. Are you someone who believes that your abilities are fixed and limited, or are you a person that believes that your abilities can be developed through effort? By shifting your mindset from fixed to growth, you can open yourself up to new opportunities as well as become more motivated to achieve your goals.
It's never too late to change or adjust your beliefs. With a little bit of effort and self-reflection, you can start to develop a growth mindset and ultimately see an increase in your motivation.
Remember, belief and motivation are like two sides of a pendulum. It can swing in either direction depending on what your beliefs are. A belief that you can change and improve can motivate you to take action. Taking action can reinforce your belief in yourself. So, let's all believe in ourselves, and let the motivation flow!
Reference:
Dweck, C.S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. New York: Random House.
