Motivational and Inspirational: The Difference Between the Two
Have you ever wondered what compels you to do the things you do? Or ever thought about what leads you to take action? Most of us have at one point or another.
The answer is found by looking at what is motivational and inspirational. If something inspires and motivates, it helps create dreams, sets goals, and encourages steps to desired outcomes.
Inspiration is something intrinsic (inside of us), and motivation is extrinsic (outside of our bodies and minds).
Inspiration can be considered a tiny spark inside of us. Motivation is the fan or wind that blows the spark into a roaring flame.
We will take a closer look at:
- Inspiration
- Why it is important
- Examples of inspiration
- How to identify it in your own life (and use it to your advantage).
We will also discuss:
- Motivation
- Why it’s necessary
- How to recognize it
- Different types of motivation that help you succeed.
Let’s not forget to answer, “Which one encourages you?”
Keep reading to learn how to distinguish between the two.
In This Article
Understanding Inspiration
To better understand inspirational actions, let’s think back to the little spark.
It was said that inspiration is inside of us.
Imagine a spark of interest or an idea that is in your deepest thoughts or even in your heart. Our inspiration is part of how we were designed.
It might seem to stay the same, but inspiration progresses over time as we take steps to make things happen. It’s part of us at the deepest level and how we are wired.
Inspiration involves your deepest desires. It can be encouraged by your values, characteristics, and your experiences. It is often what promotes creativity and encourages you to envision different dreams, goals, and ideas.
Inspiration even gives you special insight into things you otherwise would not understand or take interest in. It can birth imagination and give you the “want to” that will bring those things to fruition.
Inspirational concepts are deep within us, something we can’t shake. They don’t go away overnight, and we never forget about them. They are around for a lifetime. That little spark never goes out. It can get buried, or we might become distracted, but it never extinguishes.
Is there a thought of something you want to try, think you would be great at, or an interested feeling that you just can’t shake?
That’s inspiration!
Why Inspiration is Important
Inspiration is important in our lives. We’ll look at several ideas and start to form a thought process that helps identify inspiration. It’s important for the following reasons:
It helps us recognize who we are
When thinking about what really matters, and how things affect us, we begin to realize what inspires us. Inspiration allows us to see our values and assists in identifying characteristics. It propels us to a place of identity for the things that deeply move us.
Inspiration births creativity
Sometimes we overlook the things that are deep within us. The ideas that create how we react to circumstances or draw others in. The times we think outside the box or initiate something amazing that moves us to great outcome is inspiration.
One part of creativity is imagination. It’s easy to identify the many things that would not be a part of this world without imagination. These ideas were once an inspiration to someone and were birthed into reality.
Inspiration gives us insight
Much like creativity, insight can be used to bring great outcomes. In addition, it might keep us from moving toward a harmful situation. We don’t often think of inspiration as “keeping us from something,” but it can save us if we pay attention. Inspiration can create great wisdom by tapping into insight and discovery.
Examples of Inspiration
As you read over the description of inspiration and its importance, you have probably started to formulate what you categorize as inspirational.
Here are some specific ideas that people have named as their inspiration:
- Kindness
- Helping others
- Writing a book
- Creating art
- Writing a song
- Getting a degree
- Having children
- Sharing knowledge
- Traveling
- Getting married
Identifying Your Inspiration
After looking over the list of inspirational examples, it is apparent that they fall into many categories and take on different forms.
It was previously mentioned that inspiration is deep within us and will not readily go away. Something important to remember is that it will encourage you and can be identified as your deepest desire. Perhaps you already know what is inspirational to you or maybe there’s no idea.
Here are a few ways to recognize or awaken what is inspirational.
1. Be Still
It is not uncommon for us to be so busy, distracted, or convinced of something that we miss what is around us. Or inside of us. It is important to be mindful to awaken your inspiration.
2. Don’t Let Others Determine Your Inspiration
We might seek out others for advice on many things, but when it comes to inspiration, no one can answer what it is except you. People are not able to discern what is deep within us. Inspiration is different for everyone, is individualized to each of us, and should only be personally identified.
3. Journal Your Findings.
Many people say “no way” to this request. Some enjoy writing and some hate it with every ounce of their being. Don’t get carried away by the phrase but realize that it simply means write your thoughts down.
It can be as minimal as a list on your phone or as in depth as analyzing how you feel about each entry.
A side note here, do not get hung up on the number of inspirations you find. As we walk through each season of life, we will identify new and buried inspirations. Even if you only see them one at a time.
4. Check Back Often
Don’t simply sit down once in your life to make this inspirational list. It must be something you revisit often.
I encourage people to go through these steps at least every three months, and more often, if there is a major life change. It is important to keep up this process. Realizing your inspirational foundation is vital to understanding what decisions you should make and what paths you will take.
Now let’s look at the other side of the coin—motivation.
Understanding Motivation
Unlike inspiration, motivation is not inside but rather external.
As you were reading about inspiration, you may have thought about items or people that inspire you. The truth is, we consider these inspirational, but they are actually motivational.
Think back to the example of the spark and fire. Motivation was compared to the wind or force that fans the spark into a flame.
Remember inspiration is intrinsic. So, although we have people, songs, books, or even ideas that we call inspirational, they are actually motivational.
Why?
Think about it like this. Someone might encourage you to get a degree, write a book, or go after a certain job. However, if you are truly meant to do those things, the idea is birthed from within.
It can however be directly tied into motivation. It is terrific to have cheerleaders and the ability to see what “might be” on the horizon. But the true grit, fight, and drive begins within—by your inspiration.
Another important side note. Just as it was mentioned that others should not determine your inspiration, neither should they decide your motivation.
This might create a path that you were never intended to be on.
It is often seen in relationships, families, and many other situations. An external force pushes us to move into a place where we were never inspired to be.
Often people become aggravated at themselves—or each other—because there seems to be a lack of motivation. However, we should examine if there was ever any inspiration to create motivation from the start.
Why Motivation is Necessary
Without motivation, we may have great difficulty getting things accomplished, completing tasks, or even getting out of bed in the morning.
Since it is extrinsic, motivation can come from any number of sources with a variety of methods. The easiest description is something or someone that calls you to action or compels you to do something.
With this explanation, it is easy to see why motivation is necessary. It’s doubtful that we would continuously act on our own if we had no extrinsic push to keep the motion going.
By nature, something motivational is not “for a lifetime” as are inspirational things.
Motivation is more temporary, and often we require continuous action—or even a combination of things—to keep us moving forward. It’s especially important to teach children about motivation.
Examples of Motivation
Hopefully you have started to identify some of the motivations in your everyday life.
Here are things that others have identified as motivational.
- Incentives/rewards
- Feeling the “need” to do something
- Productivity
- Family members
- Spouse/Significant other
- Money/Provision
- Position at work
- Punishment
- Friends
- Rules/laws
Identifying Your Motivation
Motivation can take on multiple forms throughout different parts of our lives. It is important to remember that motivation is not continuous, nor does it naturally follow us throughout our lifetime.
It is not constant.
Motivation can take on forms that call us to action or persuade us to do things. It is important to further understand what those instances are.
What encourages you to make things happen and keeps you feeling like you’re on the right track? Let’s look at some ways that will help you realize where your motivation comes from.
1. Take some time to think about a success you’ve had.
Analyzing a successful situation in your life will help you to identify some of the motivational factors that were present during that time.
What things helped you stay motivated and kept driving you to the finish line?
2. Take some time to think about a failure you’ve had.
While this is another instance to revisit and use for discovery, it is important not to reflect on things other people did in the process.
This needs to be how you handled a situation, what your response was, and recognizing what could have made it better.
3. Journal your findings.
This can be as simple as a list on your phone, or as in depth as an entry including your feelings and complete thoughts.
The more information you analyze and make note of, the easier it will be for you to recognize the specifics and use them moving forward.
A side note, motivations cover a broad spectrum. Some are obviously required within society such as legal guidelines.
Motivations can sometimes fall into negative categories, and this should also be considered when analyzing what moves you in certain situations.
For example, anything that encourages something unlawful or potentially harmful is a negative motivation and should always be avoided.
Using Motivation and Inspiration Everyday
We will briefly look at how motivation and inspiration can be used in whole health.
Physical Health
Inspiration and motivation can both be used daily to accomplish goals that we have set for our physical health.
This may include keeping up medication, finding a better balance for wellness, losing weight, or any overall improvement.
Reach deeply within yourself to find what you desire for your physical health. Remember what you have identified in your journal for the ways that you’re motivated.
In case you do not feel inspired to be healthy, know the thought is organically wired into each of us. It is a part of self-preservation. Whether we choose to ignore it or not is the deciding factor.
Overall, a combination of both inspiration and motivation will bring more lasting wellness.
Mental Health
Most people say the mind, social aspects, and emotions are trickier and more difficult to deal with than other parts of the body. Staying mindful is the first step and very important when recognizing inspiration and motivation of a healthy mind.
Motivation is especially important and should be carefully identified. We can’t walk through life simply trying to get ahead. One excellent example of amping up your mental strength is using declarations.
In addition, those around you can ignite a defeated mindset or just as easily launch greater mental motivation. So, choose your friends wisely.
Spiritual Health
Spirituality is the most intrinsic of all. It brings the deepest desires and drives the most motivational thoughts and actions.
A strong connection spiritually will enhance inspiration beyond your wildest imagination and can even become its own motivational force.
See this article for ways to connect spiritually.
Final Thoughts About Motivation and Inspiration
We have seen that both parts play different roles, and both are important in our progress.
The question was posed earlier, “Which one encourages you?”
Hopefully since both motivation and inspiration hold their own role, you don’t rely on only one.
Learning more about both, and understanding the specifics, helps you better recognize how they affect your personal growth.
With greater knowledge, you can move forward more inspired and driven to accomplish success in the situations you face.