Self Motivation -
Dynamics for Change

Self motivation skills are essential on the path to self improvement and conscious personal growth. Without our ability to self-motivate we easily succumb to thoughts, feelings and emotions of the moment, which aren't necessarily aligned with what we have set out to do. How do we become self-motivated individuals? How do we take the steering wheel of our lives back into our own hands when we need to? The middle way gives us a path to follow.

What Motivates Us?

'What is motivating me to do what I do'? 'What drives me'? 'What are the motives operating in my life'? We don't usually stop to ask ourselves these questions, yet this kind of self-inquiry gives us the foundation for knowing ourselves. After all, can we really say we know ourselves if we don't know what it is that drives us?

If it's real pearls we're after, we are not likely to find them near the surface. We need to dive deep. The superficial reasons we usually give ourselves or others for doing what we do, or for not doing what we know we should, are usually skin deep.

We are all self-motivated. We are all motivated or driven by something. In this sense of the term, there is no such thing as having no motivation or being unmotivated. There is always a motivation; there is always a motive; we are always driven by something - even if that something drives us to inaction or paralysis.

The question then becomes whether or not our motivations are taking us where we want to go. Is our motive and intention aligned? Are they both pulling in the same direction or are they conflicting? The best self motivation techniques help to realign the conscious and subconscious mind. When aligned, we move ahead with power and ease. When missaligned, we struggle and flounder to get where we want to go.

To Be Self-Motivated Is To Be Aligned

'How do I motivate myself'? 'How do I get myself to do the things I set my mind to'? Some of the best self motivation tips in the world emphasize the importance of the power of intention. While setting a clear intention is essential, it isn't always enough to actually pull us through. There is another piece to the puzzle of generating self motivation when we need it.

The missing piece of the puzzle are emotions. After all, what is emotion, if not energy-in-motion?

If we want to harness the powerful motivational forces inside us, we need to understand what moves us. Conscious intent marks the destination. Energy-in-motion, or e-motion, is what takes us there.

Intention is the realm of the conscious mind. Emotion is the realm of the subconscious mind. A self-motivated individual isn't divided. With thee conscious and subconscious mind aligned, the full extent of their inspirational motivation is available to them. With body and mind pulling in the same direction there is nothing to stand in their way.

Self Motivation Dualities
and the Middle Way

We don't usually think of e-motions as a motivational force we can harness. Our usual tendency in dealing with emotions is to either try to repress them or we let them flow unhindered. We forget or are unaware of a place that lies in-between these two extremes. Developing our self motivation skills means re-discovering this 'middle way'.

Trying to stop (repress) our emotions or letting them run wild are two extremities of the mind. This isn't the best way to handle ourselves and our e-motions, or energy-in-motion - especially when the aim is self motivation.

What lies between these two extremes? What road can we walk that cuts through the dual extremes of self-repression or self-adandonment? When a tidal wave comes at us, what can we do but try to either stop it or let it run us over? An alternative exists. We can redirect the energy and forces that come at us, from within and from without.

The middle way, or road, is that of direction or re-direction. Instead of trying to stop our emotions, or give in to them, we give them direction. Direction and re-direction of e-motion is the open secret to inspired self motivation. When we walk this middle way we are balanced and can operate with true freedom. We stop swinging from one extreme to the other. We are no longer trapped or reactive.

Consciously stepping away from these compelling extremes, we are free to walk with purpose.

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