Motivation is innate- without it, we would be apathetic, morose and without purpose. Motivation is sometimes used interchangeably with inspiration and shares some qualities in common, they both provide energy and intention towards action. But they also different. If out in the wilderness we were unexpectedly surprised by a lion, we would not wait for an artists inspiration before acting. . No, motivation would automatically kick in our need for survival, and we would take whatever action we could to ensure we did not become the lions next meal. Thus motivation is most closely associated with our basic needs for survival, to avoid pain, hunger, thirst. and so on.
We are often motivated by external events associated with pain and reward. We may be motivated by the rewards of potential promotion, an extra raise in pay, provided for example, certain performance targets are met, and the perceived associated requirements of keeping our boss happy. The extra salary may be considered just reward for the extra effort, but equally it may be considered necessary to stay financially afloat, to pay the expense of a larger family, additional mortgage and household bills, commuter costs -the list goes on. Thus motivation can be triggerred by the perceived threat of financial insecurity. The energy from such need based motivation ebbs and flows - like the so-called "monday morning" feeling -it has the "kick-butt" necessity of having to maintain momentum. Motivation is very much a part of the "to do" culture as described in a previous post. As such motivation tends not to be long-lasting and needs to be revisited.
"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing... that's why we recommend it daily."
-Zig Ziglar
"Instead of motivation look for inspiration. Inspiration comes from the same word as spirit. When you are inspired, the spirit moves you."
-Deepak Chopra
Motivation is often influenced by external sources insofar as they are perceived to affect our needs for survival, security and self-esteem. Motivation is closely associated with our ego.
Inspiration whilst at times may intertwine with motivation has a different source and quality about it. Whilst the source of motivation largely comes from without to serve basic survival needs and the needs of the ego the source of inspiration is from within and serves the higher needs of the self (sometimes described as the Higher Self, Transcendent Self, Creative Self - use your own language) The object of inspiration, may be external eg, a work of art, an image, a poem, a play, but the well of inspiration lies within. It serves the needs for self-knowledge, self -affirmation, mindfulness, and creativity. and as such serves as a channel to opening up ourselves to the stream of creativity. Inspiration is more closely associated with being, motivation more with doing.
In previous posts I have used phrases like "photo-mind" and being "in the zone" as an attempt to describe that creative space that I just occassionally reach and allows me to create rather than just take images with my camera. The relation between motivation and inspiration to this space I imagine as follows:-
Motivation always takes place outside of this space. although may have been a necessary prerequisite to compel me to pick up my camera and push myself out of the house in the first place if I had been feeling uninspired.
Inspiration is a feeling from a place within that may guide me to the works of others or guide me to writing or to my camera and to that creative space which I may refer to as "in the zone" and allows me to create . Inspiration initally exists outside and then within the zone. There is no sense of drudgery of having to do it or of watching time, it is timeless but with a sense of connection and purpose.
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