Summon motivation at will
The 3C Model of Motivation
You know those moments when you're feeling on top of the world, brimming with enthusiasm, ready to conquer any task that comes your way? Now, think about those other times when the need for motivation feels like a desperate plea to the universe but returns unanswered. What if I told you, there's a way to summon this elusive motivation at will? Sounds too good to be true, right?
Well, as unbelievable as it sounds, I stumbled upon this magical formula called the 3C model of motivation. This brilliant piece of work was put together by Professor Hugo M. Kehr at the University of California, Berkeley.
What makes this model truly compelling is its simplicity, encompassing the three key elements of motivation — the head, heart, and hand. Now, let me break this down for you:
The 'Head' is all about logic — It represents those tasks that make complete sense and the ones you should be doing.
The 'Heart' is driven by passion — Tasks that give you immense pleasure and enjoyment.
The 'Hand' signifies skills — Tasks that you are exceptionally good at.
The ideal scenario
You're probably thinking, what's the ideal situation here? That would be when you find a task that meets all three conditions - the 'Head', the 'Heart', and the 'Hand'.
If you're an artist who loves painting (Heart), skilled in your craft (Hand) and got people ready to pay for your work (Head), you're in the perfect spot!
It's at this magical intersection of these three circles that we experience the flow state and intrinsic motivation, enabling us to produce our very best work.
But let's face it, not every task falls into this utopian category. Often, we find ourselves dealing with activities that don't quite light our motivational fire.
So how do we tackle those?
Where the "Heart” isn’t in it 💔
You know it's a sensible task, but it's about as appealing as a root canal. Maybe it's that tedious report that's been looming over your head or that long, dreary commute. These are the times when extrinsic motivators, like rewards, can push us over the line.
But let's be real, we can't bribe ourselves forever. For such tasks, the golden question is — How can I make it enjoyable?
Cue your favorite playlist while drafting that report or turn that commute into a catch-up session with an old friend. The goal is to bring a bit of sunshine to those cloudy tasks ☀️🌈.
Where your 'Hands' aren't in it
Now, consider this case. You absolutely love gardening, but your thumb is anything but green.
In such cases, a little bit of training or mentorship could go a long way. Improve your skills to continue enjoying the activity. Watching YouTube videos of expert gardeners or getting advice from your local gardener can help.
As your skills improve, so does your enjoyment, creating a positive feedback loop.
Where your 'Head' isn't in it
Imagine you might love the idea of mountain climbing, but the thought of taking that leap sends shivers down your spine.
In this scenario, self-introspection is key. Answer this — Why do I think it's not important? Is it the fear factor? Or is your jam-packed schedule leaving no room for such pursuits? If that's the case, it's time to take a step back and reprioritize. After all, burning the candle at both ends can only lead to one outcome — burnout.
Motivation is a tricky beast, but with the 3C model, you're well-equipped to tame it and make it dance to your tunes.
So, go ahead, harness the power of the 'Head', the 'Heart', and the 'Hand', and become the master of your motivation! 🙌💪