It’s acceptable if you’ve confused these two terms; you’re not alone. However, being aware of the distinctions between inspiration and motivation might help you decide which you already have in your life and which one you require more of. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with both because you require them to assist you in achieving your goals.

Since inspiration and motivation share a similar meaning, it’s common to misinterpret them. You have the desire or capacity to perform a certain action or experience a particular emotion when you’re inspired. Similar to this, motivation is the urge to act on your desire to behave in particular ways.

Action results from both inspiration and motivation. You may write a song or attempt a different fitness regimen out of inspiration. You can also achieve those goals with the aid of motivation. However, despite their similar intention, the words have very different meanings. 

It may seem like a subtle difference, but I have found that motivation and inspiration are very different.

Motivation is not always positive.  ~ Haidn Foster

What is Motivation?

The concept of motivation is psychological. It acts as a catalyst or motivator to get you to do something. In other words, you respond or behave in a certain manner when you are cognitively stimulated. You set a goal for yourself, such as working out every day, which motivates you to act.

Finding something to eat is motivated when you’re feeling hungry. You’re motivated to get in touch with a friend when you feel bad for not seeing them. Mental, biological, or social factors can all influence motivation. It prompts you to act, frequently in accordance with your perception of what is right.

Motivation is an excellent tool since it allows you to concentrate your efforts on making progress once you have a clear goal in mind. You can encourage others to take action toward achievement by using shared goals.

Motivation is required when you’re not aligned with your highest values. ~ Tony Robbins

To Motivate People 

I feel like I’m pushing myself when I try to motivate myself.  Motivation is about psyching people up.  It’s what you’re “supposed” to be doing. It’s a good idea, but not a passionate, burning desire that originates at the core of your being.  Motivation is about moving people to act in a way that achieves a specific and immediate goal.  

• Tell them exactly what you want them to do: it’s all about getting people to take action, don’t be ambiguous.

• People want to help and will help if it requires minimal effort on their part; so limit the time and effort you are requesting.

• Share in the load. Leaders don’t ask people to do what they aren’t willing to do.

• Appeal to their emotions. People are motivated by excitement, pride, a sense of belonging, and the thrill of achievement.

Motivation is the push. Inspiration is the pull. ~ Natalie DeBruin

What is Inspiration?

It’s a little more difficult to inspire. Inspiration is the emotion you have when a particular experience occurs. It can be brought on by a wide range of triggers, and each person experiences it differently. Your neighbor might not be inspired by what motivates you, and vice versa.

Inspiration comes from a completely different place. The word inspiration means to be in spirit. Inspiration is about being called to act because you’re in direct alignment with your true potential, your authentic self.

Inspiration involves changing the way people think and feel about themselves so that they want to take positive actions. It taps into our values and desires.  Inspiration appeals to the best aspirations of everyone, and often the unspoken message is “You can become what you want to be.” No reward is promised, other than the reward that comes from within the sense of personal satisfaction.

As a leader, your intent–whether you know it–is to inspire anytime you talk about values, identity, and long-term goals.

Motivation is an inner drive to fulfill a goal. Inspiration is having a glimpse of who you are. ~ Terri Kozlowski

The Important Difference

The factor that starts an activity can distinguish between inspiration and motivation. Action is prompted by motivation. Your motivation to keep moving ahead increases as you plan and accomplish more. Inspiration, though, is more of a draw. The impulse to act is stronger in the heat of the moment, but it becomes less urgent when it passes. Inspiration is an emotion, while motivation is a drive.

The process of encouraging someone to take specific actions to accomplish a goal is motivation. The process of persuading someone to act creatively through mental and emotional influence is an inspiration.

Inspiration draws you toward something, but motivation pushes or convinces you to do something. Motivation has an air of opposition and rivalry, whereas inspiration exudes excitement and effortlessness.

Motivation is transient. For example, you can be inspired to take action after attending a seminar with a remarkable speaker, but this excitement will fade within a few days or weeks. However, inspiration is a persistent force that lives within and keeps you going until the aim is achieved.

Motivation originates from outside sources, such as rewards, accolades, appreciation, etc. Despite coming from an interior place, inspiration is a strong internal urge.

Motivation is the conscious, premeditated need to act. On the other hand, inspiration is a spontaneous impulse.

Several factors contribute to motivation, including obligations, peer pressure, and self-imposed societal expectations. As opposed to inspiration, which comes from a deep, organic call inside.

Motivation is external, inspiration is internal. ~ Simon Lawry

To Inspire People 

Be the change you want to inspire. What others see you do will inspire them more than anything else will. The only way to call the best out of others is to expect the best from you.

• Tell a story. Stories don’t tell people what to do. Stories engage the imaginations and emotions. They show what you can achieve.

• Appeal to your value system. Ask you to act in a way that is consistent with the values they profess.

• Trust people. When you’re inspiring people, you’re empowering them to be their best, trusting that they will then do the right thing. And the right thing they do may not be what you were guessing; it may be something beyond your wildest expectations.

• Challenge them. People aren’t inspired by doing the familiar or by meeting expectations. They’re inspired by the energy, creativity, and high expectations so they can exceed what they thought impossible.

Motivation and inspiration are tools leaders use to bring out the best in people. Hopefully, you are doing more inspiring than motivating.

Moving Forward Inspiring Others

It’s clear from going over the previous issues that these two are highly different from one another, but that does not imply that one is superior to the other. Their applicability can only be investigated when necessary.

For example, inspiration is used when individuals wish to accomplish something big that will improve their current situation, whereas motivation is used when you want people to act quickly and specifically.

While inspiration lasts longer, motivation frequently happens more quickly. Inspiration is derived more from internal stimulants than from external ones.

• Motivation is predictable, however, inspiration can be more impulsive and sometimes unexpected.

• While motivation can be more difficult to maintain and lead to difficult times, inspiration comes more easily to people and helps them feel joyful.

• When you act on inspiration, it’s for your advantage; when you act on motivation, it’s often out of a sense of competition. Inspiration propels you, whereas motivation is a pulling factor.

Motivation is when you get hold of an idea and carry it through to its conclusion. Inspiration is when an idea gets hold of you and carries you where you are intended to go. ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer

When I tell people I don’t think motivation exists, they often look startled. Since I’m a life coach, isn’t motivating people what my job is supposed to be about?

I believe that inspiration, not motivation, is the solution. I cannot motivate you to have any kind of long-lasting effect. You either possess the drive to overcome‌ or you don’t. Put another way, motivation is no longer effective since it’s derived from the fear of failing and from doing what you believe is right rather than what you are passionate about.

As a coach, my mission is to cultivate and instill inspiration—a force that arises from within you and is driven by your aspirations for success.

If you want to be inspired to overcome those issues that have been holding you back, please contact me at TerriKozlowski,com and we can put an action plan together for you to inspire yourself to overcome and live the life you desire.

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Summary

Article Name

It's A Vital Difference, Should You Motivate or Inspire?

Description

To motivate or inspire which should you do and what is the difference? Knowing they aren’t the same and why is vital.

Author

Terri Kozlowski

Publisher Name

Kozmic Soul Solutions LLC

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