In a constantly changing world, it can be difficult to know what motivates people to struggle for change. This article will explore the different reasons people may fight for change, whether for themselves or others. We can better understand the world around us by understanding the different motivations behind the struggle for change.
Change is not as difficult as you think. Motivation is right there!
A Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said-
“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river, and he is not the same man.”
He further quoted-
“The only constant in life is Change.”
How true is that!
As we grow up, we discover new and fascinating things and go through various experiences to advance in life.
Time, change, and evolution are interrelated concepts. To sum up, I would opine that as time flies, we change to evolve.
Whether you agree with this reality or not, the life chakra is maintained by this inescapable power, change.
As we all are creatures of comfort, we prefer to live in a bubble where all our needs are comfortably met, and that’s because we fear stepping out of our comfort zone. Or, we resist change!! Our growth is enhanced as we accept change as a part of life.
So, what motivates people to struggle for change?
What Motivates People to Struggle for Change?
The first steps in bringing about a change in our lives are to realize that one is necessary and accept that it must happen. So we try for a change and see the results.
Change might be challenging, but stagnation is not very enticing. We struggle with change because of internal conflicts about what we value more.
It only takes a tiny bit of motivation to quell this internal struggle.
External and internal factors always motivate us to bring a change. These factors serve as stimuli in your life, motivating your inner self to make changes that offer satisfaction. These triggers can be goals, dreams, or desires.
I’ll give you an example: You join a new course to broaden your skill set (intrinsic because it comes from within to learn something new), or you join a new professional course to gain recognition and promotion in the office (extrinsic because a desire to get the reward pushed you to learn something new ).
Whatever the cause, it compels you to change your way of living. Most of the time, it’s the combination of both that works the best for us. We all must focus on finding the ideal blend for each of us.
The basic understanding of the neuroscience of motivation highlights that the rewards we associate with finishing a task and its difficulties are both factors that influence our motivation levels.
You are struggling for a change that also depends upon human behavior, what one thinks, feels, or comprehends out of worldly values.
Consider some of the most prevalent factors that inspire people to change. Good to go!
Related: Goal Getting | A New Way to Think about Goals and Goal Setting
1. The Aspiration to Live A Better Life
The inherent desire of a being is an aspiration to be happy. The spark ignites the process of bringing about change in one’s life.
In the hope of leading a better life, we set goals and aspire to achieve every one of them. Aspirations enable us to bring an idea to life with a focused and determined mindset.
These goals can be personal that enhance our general well-being, including those related to psychological, emotional, and mental health, or materialistic ones that have more to do with money and social status.
If we want a bigger house, we change our savings and expenditures routine, work some extra hours or start a side hustle to save every penny to fulfill our desire to get what we want. Don’t we? The achievement of a goal eventually makes us happy.
While material success is fleeting, attaining personal goals offers permanent happiness.
The desire to live a better life is always insatiable, as one desire breeds another. You buy the latest iPhone model, and the tadaa new model is next on your list!
It’s human never to settle for one. This cycle to achieve something better than what we have keeps the spark to bring about change.
2. The Drive to Make a Difference
In the words of John F Kennedy:
“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve a lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centres of energy and daring those ripples to build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
A drive to make a difference is the persistent self that empowers us to improve a situation around us with our actions. The recognition one receives on the route to making a difference enhances one’s self-esteem and confidence.
We can make a difference in any area of life. Be it relationships, health, well-being, career, contribution to the world, environment, or spiritual beliefs.
Manifesting your desire to make a difference in any aspect of life gives not only a sense of belonging but also a sense of purpose that increases productivity. And the benefits are multifold in the long run.
You shed your toxic lazy routine to adopt a healthy lifestyle is one of the basic yet most important differences you make in your life.
Or, say, you donate money and goods to help the underprivileged improve their financial condition.
Or simply segregating the garbage that you throw in dustbins increases the chance of recycling and reduces the waste that goes to landfills, eventually making the environment safer.
Your one act can make a difference!! It is not about how big or small the act is; what matters is how it made you feel.
If it inspired empathy, courage, justice, or compassion in either your or someone else’s life, congratulations, you were able to bring about a change!
Studies have shown a correlation between caring for people around and inner happiness.
Always remember what a wise man said if something interferes with your drive to make a difference.
“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”
3. The Influence of Injustice
Life seems to be not fair many times. Like,
Not receiving recognition for the same job that others did and for which they received enormous praise.
Not experiencing the same results from hardcore dieting as others do.
Finding your partner cheating on you.
Someone else snatches your share of the credit by presenting your idea to your manager.
Finding your brother’s business falling at the hands of misfortune.
Even though you’ve been the most welcoming and humble to them, listening to negative things your relative says about you behind your back.
Apart from the harsh, rude, and unforgivable injustices we see and hear about in society, these are the most common forms of injustice we face daily.
Personal discomfort or distress arising from injustices we face or see in our life is one of the key promoters of stirring a change in our mindset.
They may intensify to the point that we understand that we need to change our ways of thinking or acting to feel more stability in our lives.
We have a strong, immediate physical and biological reaction in response to perceived injustices. It can interfere with our capacity for reason and proactive action.
Alternatively, it may spark our internal motivation to pursue happiness and well-being. It helps you mentally prepare for difficult tasks later in life, inspires you and propels you to the degree of achievement you aspire to.
This helps us to experience the impact of the changes we make to ourselves and the world around us.
We must try to transcend the difficulties of different situations or circumstances in our life. This way, we will be able not to allow things outside of our control to rule our lives.
4. The Impact of Fear
“If I don’t hit the gym, I won’t be able to lose extra fat and fit into the hot pink dress for my birthday. So I better stick to the gym.”
Or
“If I don’t get good grades, I will be seen as a failure, so I better stay up all night to study.”
How many of us have experienced these thoughts? I believe almost every one of us!
Fear is one of the strongest motivations that drive people to struggle for change. Our brain uses fear to choose safer alternatives when faced with undesirable situations. Due to the discomfort it causes, fear is a strong motivator since it makes us want to retreat into our comfort zone.
We must acknowledge how potent a motivator fear may be for making the changes we consider important in life.
To effect change, we must understand how to manage our fear.
Fear of resource scarcity in the future can spur people to use resources sustainably.
Or maybe, most importantly, the fear of karma, which can transform people into good beings.
Remember your goal, but change how you harness fear to motivate yourself. Fear failing to reach the objective that will change your life, but don’t worry about how others will perceive you if you don’t reach the same goal.
5. The Impulse of Break Monotony of Life
It is impossible to rule out the monotonous sameness of life as one of the hopeful causes of change in our lives.
How about having the same hairstyle, eating the same meal, or wearing the same dress daily? Dreadful thought.
We crave change every day.
The monotony of life leads us to carve some newness that allows us to develop and prepare for more meaningful experiences and pushes for change hereinafter.
We take a break to combat the monotony blues that everyday life dishes out. We may travel to a natural setting for downtime or visit a disco to rekindle our lost sense of fun and craziness.
You realize that you can start living a more memorable life in ordinary, daily situations if you change how you do things.
This impulse to break monotony increases adaptability and creativity, making life more intriguing and exciting.
We can easily witness how the monotony of life pushes us to bring change in our life.
Final Takeaway
We always work towards getting better than what we have. We resist change, but the change in our life is inevitable. Each of us has experienced the motivations mentioned above at some point in our lives.
It takes a lot of self-discipline, learning, accepting change, and allowing yourself to grow to realize your objectives and strive toward your desires and goals.
However, look out for depression, anxiety, or burnout when things are unplanned. This may become an obstacle to achieving your goals.
The sole component of bringing about change is a willingness to take action. So, what are you waiting for?
Get up and use the force of the powerful motivators life sends your way to make a change in your life.
Share your biggest motivation, the harbinger of change in your life, in the comments section.
FAQs | What Motivates People to Struggle for Change?
What motivates people to want to make a change in society?
There are several reasons why people aspire to make a difference in society. Some people may feel compelled to act when they witness injustice and wish to fight for the disadvantaged. Others may wish to improve the planet for future generations. Still, others may be motivated by a personal connection to an issue, such as being affected by poverty or discrimination. Whatever the reason, making a permanent societal change requires guts and perseverance.
How do we motivate people to change?
Different factors motivate different people. Setting defined and attainable goals, breaking the goal down into smaller parts, providing regular feedback, and delivering prizes or incentives for attaining milestones are some basic recommendations that may assist.
Why is motivation important for change?
Motivation is essential for change since it is what pushes us to act. Without motivation, we would not be able to accomplish anything. Change is tough, and it is even more difficult without drive. We may push through difficult situations with motivation and emerge successful on the other side.
What motivates people for social change?
People are driven by various factors when it comes to social change. Others are inspired by personal experiences or a sense of justice. In contrast, others are driven by a desire to make the world a better place. A desire for power or fame may drive others. Finally, what inspires someone to work for social change varies from person to person.
How can leaders motivate followers to change?
There are several methods for motivating followers to change. Leaders can utilize inspiration, coercion, or a combination of the two. To inspire others, you must appeal to their ideals and goals. Coercion uses threats or rewards to persuade followers to change their behavior. Leaders can also combine the two ways.
