Motivation vs. Accountability
When you do something, do you do it because you are motivated, or accountable - which is better? Is one better? Is there a good and a bad?
Let us first define motivation and accountability.
Motivation is what pushes us to make decisions, drives our behaviors and actions while accountability is the feeling of being responsible for doing a certain thing.
What is motivation?
Your motivation can be intrinsic and extrinsic.
Intrinsic motivations are those that are driven internally like your personal happiness and gratification. An example of intrinsic motivation is working out every day because you want to be healthy and you love the feeling of sweat all over your body.
On the other hand, extrinsic motivations are those that are driven externally. This can be fame, money, praise, or an award. Let’s take the same scenario above as an example; you work out every day because you love being seen fit and sexy by your friends.
But what is the science of motivation?
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in how we feel pleasure is recently identified as strongly significant to motivation. Studies have shown that our body releases dopamine when there is an incoming or possible reward.
Another study presented that people who put a lot of effort into accomplishing a certain task or project experienced a higher level of dopamine released in the region of the brain that is responsible for regulating motor functions and reward systems.
In other words, the higher your dopamine levels are, the more motivated you are.
Factors that reduce motivation
There are things that can commonly cause you to lack motivation including:
Anxiety
Burnout
Depression
Low self-esteem
Poor sleep quality or lack of sleep
Stress
When I look at this list, I see life. These factors are what happens during the course of a week, year and life. While it would be nice to overcome many of these, let’s be realistic and figure out how to maintain motivation while accepting that life is going to throw plenty of curve balls our way. That is when accountability comes in to play.
What is accountability?
Accountability is responsibility but usually it feels like a negative or maybe even a punishment. In my experience with clients however, accountability is so positive and motivating and it’s what helps you reach your goals with a smile on your face. It’s setting small goals or achievable milestones and adjusting as you need along the way. The check-in is the way that we keep moving forward.
Do you think you have to choose between motivation and accountability?
No, never. Motivation and accountability must go together. Motivation needs to be fired up now and then, but accountability is the force that keeps you going even when motivation is weak.
How to find accountability: reach out to a friend or partner, schedule workouts and healthy habits on your calendar, find a coach or trainer, sign up for a weekly class or group.
June 2, 2021 is the start of the next small group series with After Baby Fit. Join a small group of moms for an hour each week with a great workout, goal setting, habit building and a great chat. An awesome way to squeeze in a bit more for yourself and keep you on the right track! Reach out for more info.
Xo.
