Change Your Future

Your Why

by | Nov 21, 2022

CNN

Most, if not all children, love to ask ‘why?’ all the time. They have innate curiosity to understand the unknown, but also to defy all things said and find alternatives to the ordinary. However, as we grow older we stop asking as many questions and, in this process, it is common to lose our drive to understand and explore new things and question our reality. As adults we are more likely to simply accept reality and conform.

This is particularly noticeable in the high percentage of job dissatisfaction around the world, the 2022 Gallup, State of the Global Workplace report showed that 60% of people reported being emotionally detached at work and 19% as being miserable. Only 33% reported feeling engaged.

A big part of career success is understanding why you’re on your current path and more specifically, what motivates you to keep going in that direction. When we question our motivation to pursue a certain career it is easier to assess if it aligns with our goals and values. 

It is believed that there are different kinds of motivation for a person to pursue a career, here are some of them:

  • • Achievement motivation: performs tasks to achieve specific objectives, wants to improve and accomplish meaningful goals
  • • Incentive motivation: prioritizes higher standard of living, wants to be rewarded or compensated
  • • Power motivation: energized by status, wants recognition and control over a team or organization
  • • Purpose motivation: desires to be a part of something larger than themselves
  • • Affiliation motivation: wants to belong and contribute to the common good, loves the spirit of cooperation
  • • Competence motivation: wants to become highly proficient at what they do and/or subject matter specialists
  • • Autonomy motivation: seeks control over their work and direction, prioritizes the ability to make choices and manage their own life 

When we get frustrated or lose our focus, that’s when it’s essential that we stay connected to our WHY. Knowing our WHY and the underlying motivation is imperative when we get discouraged and stuck to ensure we stay the course. 

Action Task:

Write in the comment box below what is your Why for your Best Life Career Statement.