WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO?
It’s been a while since I’ve written, and I wanted to resume the blog with a super important topic: Motivation. But to talk about this subject, I want to start with a fundamental aspect. Why do we do what we do?
While the question may seem simple, the answer explains a lot about why some people are much more determined than others when it comes to achieving their goals. Because many people have higher levels of intrinsic motivation than others.
The why of what we do has two possible sources: Internal and external.
When we do something, do we do it freely or due to external pressure? Well, when what we do is chosen and performed without any external pressure, our behavior is Autonomous.
On the other hand, when there is an external force that conditions our behavior, then our behavior is Controlled.
Why is this important? Well, we can illustrate it with some examples:
It’s very common to come across players who belong to a stable and say: “I have to give this presentation, I have to study, I have to join the group coaching.” When we inquire and ask, “Why do you have to?” The answer is often: “It’s the agreement I have with the stable; it’s obligatory to fulfill those obligations.”
Here we see a clear example that the why is external. Although the person accepted the rules, the pressure to perform certain actions is external and not internal. External factors predominate over internal factors.
The player knows they need to study, but the real reason for doing so is an external force: the contract with the stable.
Now, in that same stable, we can have another player. Under the same contract and conditions as the previous one. But when we talk to them, we find the following:
“I want to create this presentation; it’s a topic I’m weak in, and creating the presentation will help me improve. I want to study this week; it’s a topic I dislike but is very important for my game. Although group coaching is not my favorite, I want to attend because it allows me to learn from other players.”
The difference in this second player is clear. What predominates are internal whys. Oriented toward their development and improvement. The player WANTS, doesn’t HAVE.
It is true that for player 2, the external force of the contract also exists, but the player was very conscious when accepting it, and what predominates is that internal source to improve and develop as a player.
Something to highlight is that the whys, whether internal or external, coexist with us all the time. It is possible that in some areas of our lives, we make decisions based on external factors, while in others, it’s due to internal whys.
We return to the question, why do you do what you do?