Is Motivation an Emotion? Evidence Suggests Yes!
More of Eric Miller’s Coaching Experiences Revealed
Motivation has been the subject of much debate over the years, with many people questioning whether or not it's actually an emotion. As an executive coach with extensive experience, I firmly believe that motivation is indeed an emotion. Here's why.
When we're motivated to achieve a goal, we experience a rush of feelings like excitement, anticipation, or anxiety. Similarly, when we're motivated to avoid negative outcomes, we might feel fear, disgust, or aversion. These emotional experiences are often accompanied by physiological changes, like an increased heart rate or sweating, which are also associated with emotions.
It can be difficult to distinguish between motivation and other emotional states because they share so many features. I've seen firsthand how and when people are motivated to pursue a goal, and how they experience feelings of joy or satisfaction when they make progress. Similarly, when we're motivated to avoid a negative outcome, we may also feel relief or happiness when we successfully avoid the situation.
Research has also shown that the same parts of the brain that are involved in emotional processing are also involved in motivation. For instance, the amygdala, which is responsible for emotional processing, is activated when we're motivated to achieve a goal or when we experience positive emotions. Additionally, the reward system in the brain, which is associated with pleasure and reinforcement, is activated during motivation and emotional experiences.
Like other emotions, motivation is a transient experience that tends to be relatively short-lived. Once we achieve a goal, our motivation diminishes, and we move on to new goals. Similarly, when we experience negative emotions, we're often motivated to avoid the situations that trigger those emotions.
All of these factors suggest that motivation is indeed an emotion. However, I believe that motivation is also a choice. We can choose to cultivate motivation in ourselves, even on the darkest of days.
When we're motivated to achieve a goal, we experience a rush of feelings like excitement, anticipation, or anxiety. Similarly, when we're motivated to avoid negative outcomes, we might feel fear, disgust, or aversion. These emotional experiences are often accompanied by physiological changes, like an increased heart rate or sweating, which are also associated with emotions.
It can be difficult to distinguish between motivation and other emotional states because they share so many features. I've seen firsthand how and when people are motivated to pursue a goal, and how they experience feelings of joy or satisfaction when they make progress. Similarly, when we're motivated to avoid a negative outcome, we may also feel relief or happiness when we successfully avoid the situation.
Research has also shown that the same parts of the brain that are involved in emotional processing are also involved in motivation. For instance, the amygdala, which is responsible for emotional processing, is activated when we're motivated to achieve a goal or when we experience positive emotions. Additionally, the reward system in the brain, which is associated with pleasure and reinforcement, is activated during motivation and emotional experiences.
Like other emotions, motivation is a transient experience that tends to be relatively short-lived. Once we achieve a goal, our motivation diminishes, and we move on to new goals. Similarly, when we experience negative emotions, we're often motivated to avoid the situations that trigger those emotions.
All of these factors suggest that motivation is indeed an emotion. However, I believe that motivation is also a choice. We can choose to cultivate motivation in ourselves, even on the darkest of days.
Monday Morning Motivation- Refresh Your Why
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New Mindset Academy offers a variety of resources to help people get motivated and stay motivated. Our videos and articles are designed to provide a much-needed caffeine boost to start your week off on the right foot. So choose motivation and start achieving your goals today!
So … if you're someone who struggles with Monday morning motivation, we've got your back. Our resources are designed to inspire and motivate you to go after your weekly goals. We believe that with the right mindset, anything is possible. New Mindset, New You Achieve More! Let's make this Monday the best one yet! |
