Motivation and inspiration. I’ve never really looked at these two concepts as being different but maybe there’s more to that story. What is motivation? Simply put, it’s a pulling force that makes someone do something. That driving force usually is the reward or output from the respective input. The reward may not really even be a “reward” but more so a reason.

As a college student, I struggle to get out of bed in the morning. I can’t speak for everyone but I know there are others out there who have this same first world problem. Scientifically, sleep is essential for our bodies to recover and maintain health levels, yet most college students don’t get 6.5 hours, forget about getting 8. So what is it that motivates (if that’s the right word) someone to get out of bed? Is it the attendance policy for their first class? Is it their urge to empty their bladder? Is it the warmth of the shower they’re just about to take? It could be anything. The thing is these hardly qualify as rewards, but they do qualify as driving forces.

Could those same forces go under inspiration? Maybe but that would be pushing a boundary. Is an attendance policy really inspirational? Did a policy on a course syllabus about unexcused absences really “inspire” you to get out of bed? I guess that makes sense if you want it to but wouldn’t “motivate” sound better in that sentence?

It comes down to context. There are public speakers that call themselves motivational speakers or inspirational speakers and that label is appropriate. People and their stories can be both motivational and inspirational but there is a difference when it comes down to it.

Motivation is about the motive. What motive, what object, what reason is pulling you to do something? Inspiration is more so about the process of getting into action and making moves. What is it that “inspired” you, that connected with you on an inner level that is driving you to do what it is you’re doing? Those are questions that you should be asking yourself, whether it’s motivation or inspiration, doesn’t matter. What matters is that there should be a force that makes you do what you do.

That force needs to always be there. If that force disappears, you will dip into a state of apathy and inaction and failure. Something to keep in mind is that motivational forces can be taken away. You can lose your motivation and when you do, you are at a loss. It’s important to develop habits, to repeat an action to the point where it is part of your routine. The motivation will be good to keep you going but since that can be taken away from you, it is the habit that will keep you on track. Muscle memory is what it really is. Discipline yourself.

With that said, life can be a struggle and you have to have something that keeps you going. If you don’t have something to strive for, you will slowly forget why you’re living and that is not a feeling you want to have. Always remember that.

This is motivation:

This is inspiration:

If you need help finding motivation or inspiration, feel free to contact me.