The Difference Between The Desire Driven Motivation And The Competence Driven Motivation

Often times when we focus on our desire for things, not only does it feel good, but it's also a place to start. However, when we focus on our competence as we begin to set goals, it can feel overwhelming and overwhelming means not achieving and taking a step back which can be frustrating.

It is really easy to identify what motivates an individual, if you fully understand their desire as opposed to their competences. Sometimes these two links are difficult to separate. For example, if someone is motivated by moving up in their job, they have a desire to satisfy, a requirement to perform well.

People always want to do the things, that they see others do with ease. This can be because the individual in question wants to fit in, develop a reputation for competence, or just not be ignored.

That said, you don't have to be the best, or even proficient in something, to develop a desire to master it. Indeed, knowledge that someone else has achieved success in can provide a strong drive to cultivate your own competence in a particular area.

The Difference Between The Two In Brief

There is a difference between the desire driven motivation and the competence driven motivation. Desire driven motivation is usually a drive to improve the self. Competence driven motivation is usually a drive to increase the value of the self. This difference leads to certain approaches, that can be taken when it comes to motivating yourself.

The first thing to consider is the approach, that you are taking to this situation. Are you attempting to improve yourself through this process? This can be as simple as asking, "What are the benefits of my doing this? That is, does this activity serve to increase something you already have? Or, does this activity create something you do not have? "

If the second, then the activity is most likely going to be the means through which you increase what you already have. That doesn't mean you shouldn't strive to master it or that you shouldn't enjoy yourself. Rather, it means that you shouldn't confuse the means with the end.

For example, if you are learning to play the piano, you aren't going to do it just because you feel like it, you are going to do it because your desire to have better piano playing abilities is the real driving force and you are using your mastery of the piano to increase your other assets.

However, this doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself during this process. Learning can be a very fun and fulfilling experience. In fact, many of the greatest people in the world have found the time to pursue their passions during their "free time". It is not only possible, but often times preferable to do so.

The question then becomes, what is your motivation? Why are you taking on this particular learning experience? What does your motivation matter? This is where things can get tricky, but it is important to consider the distinction between desire and competence before moving forward.

Desire Driven Motivation

As desire is usually a result of wanting to achieve something that you cannot yet, or that you do not yet have. In other words, you desire something because you do not presently have it. This can be in any number of areas and the common theme is that the desired outcome is not present. For example, you may desire money, because you do not have it, or you may desire respect because you are currently disrespected.

The reason that desire is so powerful is its ability to motivate us to act. We may not always act in the most rational way possible, or even in the most moral way possible. But the desire for the outcome will dictate the action we take. However, this does not mean, that we should pursue what we desire with blind abandon. There are times, when we must consider other options, that may be in our best interest.

For example, while we may desire wealth, we also do not want to go to great lengths to obtain it. The process through which we desire something can also have a direct influence on what we want. If we are in a position to achieve our goal with relative ease, we may be more inclined to do so.

In other words, we have a tendency to over-estimate our capabilities and so it goes with desire. The more we pursue that desire, the more we reinforce that illusion. This is why we often times make the mistake of chasing the dragon. In other words, we are often tempted to pursue the things we truly desire, despite all of the potential risks.

It may not be rational, it may not be logical, but it is very human. The desire for something that we cannot have, or something that will make us happy, can cloud our judgment. Consequently, when we are evaluating our drives for something, it is important to examine all of the variables that may be at play.

That is, what are the consequences of my pursuing this desire? Is there a real and present danger that I am ignoring? Is there an easy or perhaps a more efficient way of obtaining what I desire? If I don't like the answers to these questions, then it's probably best to abandon the desire. When we are fully aware of all of the consequences, then we can more aptly evaluate the worth of the desire.

Competence Driven Motivation

On the other hand, competence is the process of becoming more capable, or skilled, at something. It is the result of repeatedly performing the appropriate actions, while paying attention and improving on one's performance through experience.

As such, competence can be a much more gradual occurrence. We can become more capable of doing something by practicing, or by improving the tools, that we have available to us. This can also be true of the objects with which we are interacting. If we have the right materials, and we have the right instruction, then we can perform the desired action.

It is not until we have actually accomplished the task, and we have gained the experience necessary to make us better at it, that we can truly be said to have developed a competence in it.

Consider the difference between a musician, who has the tools available to them, but lacks the talent to make use of them and a musician, who has the talent, but lacks the proper equipment to properly perform. The first will be able to play their instrument, but they will sound awful and no one will want to listen to them. The latter will be able to play a pleasing music, but they will not have the equipment necessary to entertain an audience.

The former will have a desire to play, because it will give them a sense of purpose and fulfillment. No one can take that away from them. The latter will have a talent for music, and a desire to perform. They will practice very hard to achieve their goal.

The distinction between these two cases can be applied to all areas of life. Not everyone who has a desire to learn some new skill will be naturally capable of performing it. On the other hand, everyone who has the natural talent to perform some skill will likely have a strong desire to do so, if for no other reason than to please themselves.

This distinction can also be applied to the evaluation of the worth of a goal, or a desire. If we are able to learn a new skill in an organized and focused manner, then we are more likely to possess the competence necessary to perform well. The mastery of the skill is a direct reflection of the amount of effort that we have put into our practice.

Of course, this is a simplification. I am certain, that there are many other factors, that must be considered in the process of developing a skill, or acquiring a competence, but this analysis illustrates the fundamental difference between the two.

Thank you for reading.