Key Points Summary:

In this video, we introduce the Motivational Fire Formula:

• All fires require 3 components to burn: heat, fuel & oxygen.

• In the context of Motivation, these 3 components can be described as: Intention, Realisation & Action.

• Intention is the 'heat' for our fire. Strong intention is having clarity about what we want and why we want it.

• Realisation is the 'fuel' for our fire. Strong realisation is about cultivating the belief that we can make our goals real, and then forming the strategy to make our goal real.

• Action is the 'oxygen' that breathes life into our fire. Strong action is about taking the steps we've outlined in our strategy.

• We must also consider what can drain us of motivation. We refer to this as Expectation. This is the 'fire blanket' that starves our fire of oxygen (action). We don't take action towards our goals when our expectations for ourselves are too high. This occurs when we've attached our self-worth, happiness or fulfilment to achieving or avoiding a specific outcome.

• Therefore, we can summarise the Motivational Fire Formula as: Motivation = Intention + Realisation + Action - Expectation.

• This means that for optimum motivation, we want to have high Intention, Realisation and Action, and low/no Expectation.

• Remember this using the MIRAGE acronym: (M)otivation is (I)ntention, (R)ealisation, (Action) and (G)et rid of (E)xpectation! 

Activities:

Using a scale of 1-5 (where 1 is the lowest it can be, and 5 is the highest it can be) take a moment to write down where you feel your current level is with respect to each of the following components of the Motivational Fire Formula. 

• Intention (Goal-Setting): How clear am I about what I want? 

• Intention (Values):  How clear am I about why I want it? 

• Realisation (Belief): How much belief do I have that I can achieve this goal?

• Realisation (Strategy): How confident do I feel that following my current strategy will help me achieve this goal?

• Action: How many high quality, small steps am I taking every day in line with the strategy I've created to achieve my goal? 

• Expectation: How well am I able to detach my self-worth and happiness from the outcome of this goal? How well am I able to take action towards this goal I hope to attain, without needing to attain it to make it worthwhile? (Remember - unlike the other components, ideally this will be a low value!)

Watch the remaining videos on the Motivational Fire Formula and carry out the activities in each.

Recommended Reading & Videos:

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Studies & Articles Referenced:

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