Inspiration or Motivation?

This morning I was leading my weekly online group event as we discussed the output from the Passion Test provided by the GeniusU, the Entrepreneurs Institute. Here's the link if you would like to take the test yourself. (It's completely free.)

The test itself is quite simple; you start by identifying 15 themes that hold the most resonance with you and then through a matched pair exercise you identify which of the themes is most important to you. However, although I've said the test is simple it is not so easy to make some of the choices. For example, would you choose Freedom over your Partner, or Fame over Recognition?

As our discussion evolved and we shared our top 5 passions from the test it became clear that following your passion is both rewarding but often conflicts with your wider needs or the needs of those about you. From my own Passion test my top 5 were: Freedom, Creativity, Partner, Travel and Fun!

All very interesting I hear you ask, but so what?

OK, so the test is helping me to understand which aspects of my life I can focus on to feel the true joy of living. It throws up the possibility that I might make changes that allow me to feel that I am creating the freedom I want in my life. And it's easy to see how such a change could tap into my creativity, help me feel closer to my partner, travel more and have fun all at the same time! All I need to do now is decide what that something is; and chances are it's not doing my tax returns.

Inspiration

If you now imagine that you have found something to excite and energise you and which links to your passions, the next logical step is to share it. Not because you are trying to shame anyone else into action but because inspiration is naturally infectious. When you speak with passion about what you plan to do other people inevitable pay attention; how could they not?

And therein lies the thrill and power of inspiration. You don't need to know how to inspire others; (although that is good practice too - Kouzes & Posner**, et al) you will infect them with your own inspiration. And that is exactly what happened this morning; each of us inspiring one another.

Motivation

However as we continued to talk during our session I was struck by a thought - if my passions inspire me is there something else that drives me? In other words, is there a fundamental set of motivations that shapes not just my passions but my actions?

I then remembered that many years ago I completed a Motivation Inventory, and while I can no longer track down the questionnaire and report itself I distinctly remember my top 3:

• Autonomy - the chance to work as I want without overbearing oversight

• Creativity - the opportunity to exercise my creativity in thoughts and ideas

• Recognition - the desire for others to recognise and applaud my contribution

The good news is that at least one of the above was reflected in my Passion test - Creativity - and Autonomy is often reflected in the way I work or even work with others. I enjoy working with someone else but clearly have more of an issue working for them.

Over the years I've come to accept that Recognition isn't the reason I do something but it is clearly an important element when it comes to outcomes. For example, I remember just how much I was motivated at primary and secondary school to come first in every running race, and how good it feels when you receive great feedback for work or training that you worked hard on.

In the end it doesn't really matter whether it's Inspiration or Motivation (chicken or egg) that drives you. Both are intimately acquainted with the other and if combined they lead or drive you to a happier future, more fulfilled or in balance, you'll still have the pleasure of living life on your terms!