I don’t actually trust motivation very much.
If something matters, I’d much rather rely on discipline, routine and consistency than wait until I feel inspired.
But that got me thinking.
If we do need motivation, what actually feeds it?
I’ve been exploring Self-Determination Theory, which identifies three basic psychological needs:
Autonomy — having some control over your choices and direction.
Competence — feeling yourself become more capable.
Relatedness — connection, belonging and the people who matter to you.
What’s interesting is that these don’t necessarily carry the same weight for everyone.
For me, autonomy is enormous. Competence often feels more like confirmation than the original motivation. And connection might be something I take for granted precisely because it’s already part of my life.
In this episode, I explore those differences, share some personal examples, and consider whether low motivation sometimes tells us something useful about what we’re missing.
There’s a pushback, too.
I still think discipline and consistency are more dependable than motivation. We can’t negotiate with our feelings every morning before doing anything useful.
Maybe the point isn’t to chase motivation.
Maybe it’s to understand what actually feeds yours.
I’d be interested to hear what motivates you most: freedom, progress, connection, or something else entirely.
Need help thinking something through?
Book a 60-minute Life Strategy Consultation:
https://cal.com/lifestrategyconsultant/
Jamie Bennett
Life Strategy Consultant
