mo'ti-va'tion n.

The set of reasons that determines why one will engage in a particular behaviour.

As I have gone through some difficult obstacles in my life, I have noticed a reasonable decline in my motivation for my kung fu training. I have asked myself, why?. Sure it's easy to say that feeling a bit depressed leaves one feeling unmotivated. Why? In order to answer this, I have asked myself what it is that motivates me in the first place. What really lies within the definition of motivation? A reason to minimize pain, and maximize pleasure, I suppose.

I remember from my college days that there are 2 kinds of motivational factors. One is intrinsic and one is extrinsic. Intrinsic means that my reasons for being motivated are due to something that comes from me. I can see results coming from my own doing, by the amount of effort I put in. Extrinsic means that the reason I am motivated, is to gain something from someone else: praise, acceptance, love, recognition, fear of punishment, or some kind of physical reward: money, trophy, gifts.

There are 2 forms of intrinsic motivation. One based on what I enjoy, and one on obligation; when I am motivated to do something, not because I feel I want to, but rather I feel I have to. I am obliged to.

So why am I motivated sometimes and sometimes not? What are the results I want to see, or for others to see. Which is most important to me? I am often motivated in order to see personal results that come from my own doing. I am proud of my work ethic, and the amount of effort I put into whatever I am doing. I believe I can be effective in completing most goals I set my mind on completing. I am also very interested in mastering my goals. I like to prove to myself I can do things, I may have thought I couldn't. As I am learning to drive a fork lift at work, I am terribly frustrated with the fact that I have not mastered it...yet. These all define me as an intrinsic motivator.

When I look at what motivated me in kung fu years ago, I can easily say that there were more than one factor. One was to do good in the tournaments, earn trophies, gain recognition by others, get promoted to a higher belt level, maintain an acceptable body weight, and good health, which would all define me as an extrinsic motivator. So does that mean that I am defined as both? I suppose I can honestly say that it all depends on the situation and the goals I have set, and why. Although, now, perhaps because of age, and a higher level of maturity, (LOL!!) I don't feel I train to attain recognition from others. That is no longer as important to me as doing good for no other reasons than my own feeling of personal accomplishment, personal growth,and enjoyment.

I am also very motivated when I want to reach a personal goal. Reaching that goal is a reward in itself. I suppose that is why I have taken on the ultimate black belt test. I have set a goal that I want to reach for my own personal satisfaction. I am not doing it for anyone else. In order for me to reach this goal, or any goal, I have realised the importance of how to set goals, in a way that will improve my chances of reaching it. Master Brinker has drilled this into me, but it all means so much more and hits closer to home now that I have this ubbt, and my personalized 3rd degree requirements to complete. Master Brinker can not force me to complete my goals, he can only give me the tools. I must be self motivated in order to accomplish my goals without failure. I must find within me, the necessary strength to do what I feel I have set out to do without needing to be influenced or pushed by someone else. I must work consistently without giving up. I do, however, understand the concept of a helpful support group all too well. I can testify of my increase in motivation after having a most enjoyable and uplifting experience at the Chinese new year celebration.

If I am to be efficient in reaching my goals, I need to have 3 things clearly defined. Proximity, difficulty, and specificity. For proximity, my beginning and end to my goal need to be close, not years and years apart, and I need to clarify the date for my goals to be completed. For difficulty, my goal needs to be a challenge, and yet also reachable. Specificity means that I have to clearly specify what it will take to reach my goal. A young child that says he will get straight A's on his next report card may not understand what it takes to achieve that. To say I want to attain 3rd degree black belt, must include the fact that I know what it takes to achieve that. I need to break down my goal into steps, and revise a plan. I have to know exactly what it is I need to do, and how I intend on doing it. This will allow me to see exactly what it will take for me to reach 3rd degree. A child may not want to get straight A's if he finds out he has to study 1 hour every night, get over 90% on all their exams, give up TV, or computer time to attend extra classes.

Failure to reach certain goals is a direct result of motivating factors. If I can't clearly see my motivating factors or the real meaningful reasons behind wanting to do something, I won't have what it takes to succeed. I absolutely have to know what is behind it all. I know that I am motivated when my social needs are met as well. I love being around people, and socializing with friends. When I go to the gym, I am so much more motivated to go, and to work harder when I have plans to meet friends there. I think this is the same for a lot of people. When our social needs are met, we feel much more liked and that we are important. This is something to remember when teaching classes.

I also need to remember that boredom, and repetition of tasks are 2 leading factors that deplete motivation. My job is a lot of hard work. It is very physically demanding of me every day. But I am never bored, nor do I do the same things over and over. Each day I meet new people, and perform different tasks. I like being there. I have a lot of fun with the people I work with, including my boss, I am well liked, and a leader in my team. When I am positive and motivated, I always look for a better way to do something. I am more quality oriented, and much more productive. This is the same in my kung fu training. I suppose that is why when I let life get me down, my motivation goes down as well. I fall more on the negative side of the fence, and this makes me feel like I can't accomplish things I wish I could. Perhaps deep down, I feel I am a failure at life, which in turn makes me think I will be a failure at accomplishing my goals. So I tell my inner self, "why even try?"

There is a direct, medically proven connection between negative feelings and the chemical imbalance of our bodies. They feed off each other and can become a viscous cycle. They also in turn cause physical and mental health problems. They deplete my motivation, which in turn reduces my chances of completing my goals. This all leads to a decrease in my self esteem. All of this from the power of negativity. The power of positive thinking is of course a direct result of nothing other than continued personal success, and a happier lifestyle.

It has taken me years to really and truly know this to be fact. Through all my personal experiences and guidance from Master Brinker, I know that at all costs, stay away from negative thinking and doing things that we know will bring us harm. It has taken me writing this journal, to bring it all home and become clearly defined for me. I understand the connection between my personal experiences and my decrease in motivation. I am not feeling regret, embarrassment, or self pity. I am feeling rejoiced in once again adding to my personal strengths, growth, and overall well being. I understand now what motivates me and what doesn't. I know what it will take for me to complete my martial arts goals, and I also will be able to recognize more clearly what to look out for when I feel my motivation slipping, and to keep it from slipping. With positive thinking, clear definitions of my goals and motivating factors, organization, and self determination, I will succeed.