I used to think that the two words motivate or inspire were interchangeable. Whenever I heard both of the words used I automatically assumed that they meant the same thing. I recently decided to take the time to look the two words up in the dictionary and was quite surprised to see what I found.
The word motivate means to provide with a motive or incentive to move to action. But the word inspire essentially means to influence feelings, thoughts and beliefs. Now just take a moment and think about how those two word and actions are completely different.
I’ve learned that the main difference between the two is that motivation is external and inspiration is internal. If you disagree, just look at the two definitions of both words. Which one sounds more manipulative? Which one is going to have a more positive and permanent effect on an individual?
My entire career as a trainer, and my entire life as a friend, I have been fighting this battle on the wrong front. I now realize that most of the stress that that I’ve undergone in my career as a performance coach and personal trainer, and in my life as a friend, was due to the fact that I was trying to manipulate people into doing something that they really didn’t want to do. I was trying to get them to do something that they were not passionate about because they really didn’t understand how it would benefit them. I tried so hard to motivate them, but now I realize that I was fighting an uphill battle.
I was not doing anything to influence their mindset, their train of thought. I didn’t educate them by explaining to them how the training was going to help for them to reach their goals and unleash their potential in both sport and life. I now even understand the difference between those who “need” motivation and those who “crave” inspiration.
I no longer look to motivate, but inspire!
If you want to understand the difference between those who “need” motivation and those who “crave” inspiration, then be on the lookout for Part 2 of “The Motivate or Inspire?” series.
Rob
This article was inspired by one of the 10 Kinetic Laws of Performance. If you want to learn more about my soon to be released book then click here for details.
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