Living your life with purpose

We all know you need motivation (or an extra dose of caffeine) to get out of bed in the morning and go to work, take care of the kids, or go to school/university. But what does that mean?

Motivation can be either intrinsic or extrinsic, meaning it can come from within us or from the outside. Let me tell you by experience that, extrinsic motivation (and expectations) lead to frustration because they are factors that are not under your control and have little to do with you as a person because they depend on somebody else and their decisions.

That is the reason why working at an intrinsic level is efficient because it helps you remember what’s important which is: What are you doing this for? And for whom? And I can tell you that the correct answer is for yourself because it is your life.

But Marta, how can I achieve that you ask?

By working on yourself and finding your strengths/motivators.

This means:

• Journaling to connect with your feelings.
• Writing a gratitude journal to “look on the bright side of life”
• Forgiving yourself for your mistakes.
• Finding a new hobby.
• Working on your professional development, signing up to a new course, learning a new language or developing a new skill.
• Exercise to activate mind and body.

The list is endless but what you need to remember is the two key elements, What am I doing this for and for whom? And that will lead you to a journey of personal and professional growth where the only opinion, motivation, and validation you will need is your own.