Eternal Motivation

     This year has gone by fast and it is almost 2019. I feel every year and day continues to pass by quickly. One second it is here and the next it is gone. We need to make sure we grasp each day and live it to the full. We do not know when our last day will be, so live in the present. Prepare and pray for the future but try not to dwell on it. Completion of our actions and tasks happen right now not tomorrow.Tim Tebow came out with a really good book called “This is The Day.” God has blessed him with such a platform and this book is a great resource to live for today,right now. We don’t have to wait till tomorrow (which is the usual excuse forus). Then add to your library with the book 12 Week Year by Brian Moran (refer to our recommended reading list page) to help you break down tasks into daily action steps, so you can see progress. When we see progress daily that is when we get satisfaction and can lay our heads down at night in peace.

     Now, you might say “I have read those books” or “I desire to take advantage of today but am not motivated to get it done.” I know all of you are motivated by something to do something. Prime example is the New Years resolution for fitness,business, and personal life objectives to complete. Though, around mid-February majority of the population lose their motivation and drive. Side note, whatever you wanted to complete this year you still have time.  

     We as humans are all driven for something. There is a deep “why” behind our drive to take on and complete any task at hand. This is where motivation comes from.It’s our reasons and drive for a specific behavior. It is important to know why you do what you do. I recommend you dig deep and self-reflect on the question “why do I do what I do?”

     The fact is we must be motivated if we desire to improve ourselves. It is time to be knowledgeable of different types of motivation. Knowledge is power, so once we know these motivations we have the power to make change. There are three types of motivations external,internal, and a-motivation. External has subcategories but it all has relatively the same focus with a shift to be more internally motivated and achieve some sort of award. Internal motivation is more specifically driven off a behavior for the benefit of our mental wellbeing and doesn’t need to receive a specific reward at the end but complete for pure enjoyment. Below are the different types of motivation based off the Self-Determination Theory:

1.    External(Extrinsic) Motivation with subcategories of:

        a.    External Regulation: focus on a reward or afraid of punishment

        b.    Introjected:self-control, ego involvement, shift to internal reward

        c.     Identified:you do it because it’s your identity and value based

        d.    Integrated:combination of your identity with internal self-satisfaction

2.    Internal(Intrinsic) Motivation: personal enjoyment and self-fulling with no need ofspecific reward.  

3.    A-Motivation:No motivation, but does the task

     Motivation is simply attaching an emotional behavior to physical task. Typically, anyone that is intrinsically motivated will last longer than someone is externally motivated since they are driven for deep personal satisfaction. Humanly speaking our emotions are unstable and inconsistent. If we only pursue our passions or desires with an emotional high, we would rarely reach the goal since we go through times of emotional lows. The problem is that we are not motivated. The problem seems people have trouble with maintaining a consistent motivation due to their emotions. Have you ever wondered where motivation originate from? When we break down the actual word “motivation” it simplifies into the word “motives.”Once you tie an emotion to a motive then you get motivation (emotion +intention that leads to action). Where do motives come from? Let’s look to the source of truth, the Bible.

“All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions], But the LORD weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].”
PROVERBS 16:2 AMP

“Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives].”
PROVERBS 21:2 AMP

     Motives come from our heart. Knowing our heart is the source of motives that empowers our emotions to drive action. The heart is where our deep internal intentions surface and it is the exact place where God wants to dwell in. Anytime you desire to do something look to your heart. Once we are made new in Christ we have a new objective to obtain and reach. We are given a new heart and motivation because of that new heart within us. We begin to strive for heavenly prize that’s already ours an eternal perspective and desire. Here is the shift in perspective. Our motivation needs to be for internal satisfaction, but the Bible also states a external motivation that we should aim at:

“I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Philippians 3:14 NLT

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 NLT

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty with plenty or little.”

Philippians 4:11-12 NLT

     God desires us to be both internal and externally motivated. This is the development of Eternal Motivation (combination of external and internal motivation with heavenly perspective, focus, and drive)which is a type of motivation that is everlasting and never failing. We are called to run to win, but also be content with what we have. This is possible by having a relationship with Jesus Christ. No matter what comes up we will never give up with a consistent drive to move forward.

     In this life we need to externally strive, grow, influence, and impact (yourself and others).We get that desire the more we read and seek Him! Internally we should need nothing and at peace (read all of Philippians 4). Basically, eternal motivation means I will work extremely hard to achieve the goals and desires placed in front of me as well as work environment. I will aim to win and be the best possible, but internally I will be at peace and content. Not worried about the outcome to distort my well-being and internal peace. Outwardly, I will be driven for a cause and inwardly I will be content and at peace. This is the embodiment of Humility entirely.

     Eternal motivation will drive you consistently and be everlasting if you keep seeking Him. If you do not know Jesus please refer to our belief page. My prayer and heart are for all of you to be motivated consistently in your life. This motivation is consistent and never failing like our God is. Knowing this then you can truly tap into your potential and pursue what you been wanting to pursue. No more roadblocks, but now a consistent force within you that is willing to keep moving forward because God calls us to keep going forward. Eternal motivation is what your heart needs to be consistent with your goals and desires for your life. You remotions with be stable because you have Christ who is always stable.

     o  Work Hard Externally

     o  Be at Peace Internally

     o  Driven by Heavenly reward

     o  Motives Move you (always do a heart check)

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