Self-motivation: what is it and how to develop it?

There are many ways in which companies seek to motivate their employees in order to make them more efficient and productive. In fact, beyond the motivation that comes from external sources, In addition, we must not lose sight of the motivation that originates in the person him/herself, as it can be even more powerful than external motivations and, furthermore, a key element in achieving the proposed objectives, whether in the work or in the personal sphere. This type of motivation is called self-motivation, and it is increasingly present in all areas of business and training. 

What is self-motivation?

Self-motivation is the capacity and practice that a person motivates him/herself to achieve the goals he/she has set for him/herself. The main characteristic of motivation is that the sender and receiver of motivation is the same person, which presents certain particularities that make it important to learn how to work it correctly in order to take advantage of all its benefits and advantages. 

Benefits of self-motivation

The benefits of self-motivation are similar to those that can be gained from any exercise or motivational training general. However, in the case of self-motivation, there are two further benefits to be highlighted in addition to the general benefits of any motivational workshop:

• Fully personalised motivationBecause self-motivation is executed by the person who needs the motivation, the adaptation of this type of motivation is complete, since it is the same person who selects the forms and content to be used in the motivation he or she wishes to carry out. This also implies a greater effect, since the person who is self-motivated ends up selecting those methods that provide the best results. 
• Motivation 24/7The other advantage of self-motivation over traditional motivation is that it is constant, i.e. you can take advantage of its techniques and benefits 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is achieved by not having to rely on an external source of motivation, for example workshops given by a coach. 

Keys to developing self-motivation

However, doing a good job of self-motivation is more complicated than it may seem at first. It must be borne in mind that, in the absence of a professional coach, However, this also has a number of disadvantages compared to traditional motivation, so it is important that the person who aspires to apply self-motivation in their daily life has a number of tools to help them apply it successfully. 

• The importance of organisationWhen practising self-motivation, organisation is a key factor. Organisation helps to better manage everything, including motivation. In this sense, it is advisable to set aside a certain amount of time for this activity, so that the person practising self-motivation is aware that it is an active attitude and not merely a declaration of intentions. 
• Use appropriate materialAnother important aspect when practising self-motivation is to have adequate material. In this sense, there are books and techniques that help in the practice of self-motivation and that help to internalise it as a habit, which ends up making it easier to carry it out in the present and to keep it constant over time. 
• Controlling influencesFinally, another fundamental element of self-motivation is influences. These can be of many types, although the people around us are usually the main influences. Surrounding oneself with unmotivated people is an obstacle to achieving self-motivation goals, so it is important to distance oneself from them and seek the company of those who will enhance self-motivation skills. 

Motivation at work: the key to production

The employee motivation is essential for them to be productive. An unmotivated employee is much more less efficient to work with, The company will therefore be negatively affected. 

In this respect, it is essential to take into account the working conditions of employees, In many cases, they are one of the main elements that determine whether or not workers are motivated in their jobs. In this sense, having a good salary, as well as conditions that allow for the reconciling work and family life, as well as with a social benefit package The following are some of the ways in which companies can improve the motivation of their employees without the need for large and costly investments.