“When you have a need and know the direction, you don’t need motivation”.
I know a lot of readers wouldn't just accept this statement with or without salt. But let me make a couple of points.
Part 1: Need
Need is essential for you to move forward. A need is never optional if you wish for a journey which is diagonally progressive. Needs are different from Wants. You might want an iPhone but all you need is a regular Phone. Wants are often optional which will have a lot of alternatives. Needs and Wants are very relative as well. Another person’s Wants might be your Needs and vice versa. For inst. a professional vlogger might need a DSLR camera to shoot their videos while for an amateur traveler that is just an optional want.
When you WANT the things that you NEED- that is when your actual journey begins.
Part 2: Direction
Now that you know what you need. It's time to set a course towards the need. This initiative is something that we refer to as Goals. Direction is how you can go from point A (where you are currently) to point B (where you need to be. A sequential breakdown of everything you must do to reach your goal.
Part 3: Motivation
What is the meaning of motivation? The drive to achieve a need. The fuel that you need to travel from Point A to Point B. There are many ways that you can create this drive in many categories. Some can be positive, some can be negative.
Let’s take an example of a university exam and imagine that if you fail that exam, you will be expelled from the university. Alternatively, if you pass the exam you will be rewarded with a scholarship. So,
Need = Pass the Exam.
Direction = Study the syllabus effectively.
Motivation = Shouldn’t get expelled from School / Win the Scholarship
If you look at the above breakdown, there's an issue. Both motivators are owned by someone else, not you. This doesn’t work when a third person isn't involved in your journey—and often there isn’t a third person. One fundamental problem is that we are too used to being motivated by others rather than ourselves. We expect our family, leaders, and friends to motivate us, but in reality, we need direction more than motivation. Motivation is something you have to build yourself. Set positive or negative outcomes for your actions or inactions. Use that as your fuel.
To conclude, the only stage where you need a third person is when finding your direction. Be it a leader, mentor, or parent—keep them close and find the way!
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