motivations
Reasons behind actions
Motivations are the reasons behind actions or decisions—the internal drives or external factors that prompt someone to do something.
When someone asks about your motivations, they want to understand why you acted as you did, often with an implication that your stated reasons might not be the real ones.
Her motivations for joining the company were purely financial.
In psychology, motivation refers more broadly to the processes that initiate and sustain goal-directed behavior.
Purpose or goal
- targetObject of pursuit
- aimPurpose or direction
- purposeReason something exists
- outcomeFinal result of events
milestone · intention · direction · plan · benchmark · focus · deadline · priority
Involuntary sleep visions
- visionAbility to see
- idealsStandards of perfection
- hopeDesire for good outcomes
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
longing · purpose · desire · pursuit · quest · reach · heights · goals
Firmness of purpose
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
perseverance · resilience · dedication · commitment · discipline · effort · initiative · proactivity
Intense emotional drive
- curiosityDesire to learn
- fulfillmentState of achieved purpose
- meaningWhat something signifies
- purposeReason something exists
enjoyment · satisfaction · growth · mastery · autonomy · self-expression · challenge · engagement
Think deeply about
- creativityCapacity for original thought
- epiphanySudden profound insight
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- breakthroughSudden important advance
eureka · insight · idea · enlightenment · awakening · calling · purpose · passion
Payment for service
- bonusReward beyond expectation
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- benefitAdvantage or gain
- perkEmployment bonus
stimulus · inducement · carrot · payoff · commission · dividend · gratuity · tip
Accomplished goal or deed
- successFavorable outcome attained
- strivingEarnest sustained endeavor
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- advancementForward movement or promotion
career · leadership · recognition · status · power · wealth · fame · excellence
Fixed periodic employment payment
- praiseExpression of approval
- approvalFavorable opinion given
- gradesAcademic performance ratings
- trophiesPrizes for achievement
medals · certificates · titles · promotions · bonuses · status · reputation · validation
objective
Purpose or goal
outcome · milestone · intention · direction · plan · benchmark · focus · deadline · priority · vision
dreams
Involuntary sleep visions
yearning · longing · purpose · desire · pursuit · quest · reach · heights · goals · ambitions
determination
Firmness of purpose
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
tenacity · perseverance · resilience · dedication · commitment · discipline · effort · initiative · proactivity · stamina
passion
Intense emotional drive
- curiosityDesire to learn
- fulfillmentState of achieved purpose
- meaningWhat something signifies
purpose · enjoyment · satisfaction · growth · mastery · autonomy · self-expression · challenge · engagement · flow
muse
Think deeply about
- creativityCapacity for original thought
- epiphanySudden profound insight
- sparkTiny fiery particle
breakthrough · eureka · insight · idea · enlightenment · awakening · calling · purpose · passion · meaning
reward
Payment for service
- bonusReward beyond expectation
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- benefitAdvantage or gain
perk · stimulus · inducement · carrot · payoff · commission · dividend · gratuity · tip · premium
achievement
Accomplished goal or deed
- successFavorable outcome attained
- strivingEarnest sustained endeavor
- determinationFirmness of purpose
advancement · career · leadership · recognition · status · power · wealth · fame · excellence · competition
salary
Fixed periodic employment payment
trophies · medals · certificates · titles · promotions · bonuses · status · reputation · validation · acceptance
- inner lifeidentity, feelings, memory, thoughts, self-discovery
- consumer insightspsychographics, demographics, behaviors, attitudes, values
- market researchsurveys, focus group, focus groups, survey, consumer behavior
- Enneagramreformer, helper, achiever, individualist, investigator
- shoppingbuying, shopping cart, shop, purchases, sale
- personalitypersonality, trait, temperament, traits, character
motivationsdisincentives
Things discouraging action
deterrents · obstacles · demotivators · hindrances · impediments
motivationsapathy
Absence of feeling
indifference · purposelessness · disinterest · lethargy · listlessness
- motivational speakerOne who delivers uplifting addresses
- motivational quotesEncouraging phrases for drive
- motivational speechesAddresses meant to inspire
- motivational speechAddress meant to inspire
- motivational posterFramed workplace encouragement art
- motivational speakingDelivering speeches that encourage