Recently I asked a client to rate her level of motivation to making a specific change. She replied “Seven,” (on a ten point scale) with a fair degree of hesitation and lacking a strong sense of conviction.
I then asked, “What would cause your level of motivation to go up?”
She suggested, “If you’re asking me how motivated I am, it’s a seven. If you’re asking about my level of commitment, it’s a ten.”
Lesson learned….by me.
Commitment trumps motivation.
At this point in time, she is less motivated to change her behavior than she is committed to do so.
Big Duh Madam psychologist.
If the old behavior served no positive function she would change in a heartbeat and our conversation would be moot. In fact, there would likely be no coaching engagement. So, no, she is not highly motivated to give it up and change something she finds rewarding, but she is committed to doing something different. I trust that when she reaps the rewards of this change, her motivation to continue the new behaviors will increase.