Between spirituality and pragmatism, what really motivates us?

 

Some people say they’re motivated by their spiritual ideals - values, meaning, purpose.

Others say what drives them is much more practical - money, stability, recognition.

Maybe that depends on the generation. One group grew up focusing on what was tangible and secure, while another looked for something deeper, something that spoke to their soul. Of course, we can’t generalize, but it’s interesting to see how both approaches affect motivation.

I’ve seen both sides…

A friend of mine was deeply committed to his spiritual path… until he got an excellent job. He used to almost despise money, but suddenly he was earning well, working fewer hours, and enjoying life. Gradually, his spiritual practice faded. He stopped meditating, stopped reflecting. Only much later, after realizing what he had lost, did he return to his inner path - though in a different way this time.

Another friend, from Colombia, was the opposite. He was a very pragmatic person - technical, efficient, and passionate about his work. He was truly changing lives. But it became too much. He was so good that he couldn’t stop. We didn’t use the word burnout back then, but that’s exactly what happened. When I met him again - in an airport immigration line, of all places - he was completely exhausted. Eventually, he left everything and went to live in the mountains, growing organic vegetables for years.

And there’s a third friend who once left his corporate job to follow a spiritual life and his dreams. At first, it was wonderful - peaceful, inspiring - but later, he realized it was very hard to live on occasional gigs. The company he had left still had its doors open, and after talking to a wise teacher, he decided to return. This time, he went back with a new consciousness - using his position not just for money, but as a way to keep growing and help others. I met him during that phase, and I’ve rarely seen someone so balanced, so genuinely happy.

Maybe that’s the real secret of motivation: to live in a spiritual way, in a meaningful way, and a mind that knows how to stay grounded.
Spirituality with common sense - that’s a combination that truly works.

 

This is a post in a series about motivation - starting from within.

Why Do Values Motivate?

 

In many areas of life, values may seem… valueless. At least, that’s how I used to think.

Many years ago, Brahma Kumaris launched an initiative about values. One of its strongest supporters was Colombian, who invited BK to Manizales, where there was an educational project in need of deeper input on values. I went there, gave a few lectures and soon after, a local company hired me to work with their employees on values.

The long story short? When I began translating the abstract, intangible language of values into terms a corporate professional could grasp, I discovered the real value of values.

Values form the background of any action. They guide decisions and, above all, they motivate. In fact, values are natural motivators. We tend to do things aligned with our values effortlessly, without the need for external rewards or pressures.

You can see this clearly in vocational professions - doctors, nurses, police officers, members of the clergy. They perform under pressure and in the harshest conditions because their values are fully aligned with their work. That alignment is what we call vocation.

Now, maybe your present job is not really part of your vocation, but I am sure there are many areas in your life in which the alignment between actions and values take place. I am sure you can see the motivation whenever you have to do something related to that.

So, do you need a dose of motivation right now at some parts of your life? Look at your own values, align them with what you’re doing, and you’ll discover the lightness and joy of acting from the heart.

 

This is a post in a series about motivation - starting from within.

 

How to turn a vision of future into a source of motivation?

 

You can imagine what will happen tomorrow. Next month or year.

You can dream about a new house, a new job or a new… you.

You can have a vision of transformation, that something will be completely different, much better.

 

It works! It has worked for me so far and I know so many people who use a vision of the future as a means of motivation.

Particularly when things are cloudy, resources are scarce, the will is low, the capacity is not according to the need… A vision of the future can turn into a map to navigate troubled times…

 

A story tells about a military small plane that crashed on a mountain, in Europe. The survivors walked looking for shelter and they found a house that would protect them from the cold. However, as soon as they entered the house, they discovered a map; full of enthusiasm, they decided to leave immediately and, by following the map, they were able to reach civilization again.

The problem was that, in the story, the map did not correspond to that area of Europe…

 

So, what is your vision of the future? What is that motivating fuel that will make the engine of your will to find the resources and to generate the needed capacity?

And hold on that vision, the map of your future.

 

This is a post in a series about motivation - starting from within.

Be your own leader… and motivate yourself

 

Leaders motivate - that’s one of their main roles, regardless of the type of leadership they embody.
So, if you are the leader of your own life, shouldn’t you also motivate yourself? Let’s explore this comparison.

• Leading by example. Some leaders motivate simply through their actions. People follow what they see more than what they hear. Think of Gandhi, who reshaped his entire lifestyle so others could walk the path of his ideas.
• Leading with words. Others move the world with powerful speeches or writings. Martin Luther King and Karl Marx, in very different ways, stirred minds and hearts with the strength of their words.
• Leading quietly. Some leaders don’t look extraordinary at first glance, yet their impact is immense. Eunice Paiva, a housewife, changed her own life and transformed her family’s life after her husband was kidnapped; not only that, she became a pioneer in the fight for indigenous rights - opening a whole new field of social change.

Now, what about self-leadership?

• Discipline - no excuses. Sometimes you just have to act. Doing an action sets an example for yourself, proving you truly can.
• Read, write, record. The words you absorb become fuel. The words you express - whether written or spoken - strengthen your values and shape your world.
• Start small, move big. Small steps, especially during challenges, can transform everything. That one move forward might seem ordinary, but it’s enough to create momentum - and motivation to keep going.

Self-leadership is about becoming both the example and the voice that follows. When you learn to inspire yourself, you’ll find that motivation is no longer something you search for - it’s something you generate.

The Effect of Motivation When It Comes from Within

 

Motivation can come from the outside, but the truth is: one day it fades. When that happens, both our performance and our life can take a hit.

But motivation can also come from inside. From within the self - and that kind isn’t at the mercy of external factors.

Take this example: you’ve got a big project ahead. It demands long hours and a lot of effort. At first, your external motivation is high: the challenge excites you (it’s something new), you’re working with a solid team, and the pay is great (four months’ salary in one go!).

Then reality sets in: the challenge stops being new as even the most exciting project eventually slips into routine; that team you praised? turns out those people are a pain, arrogant and difficult, and to top it off, you discover your sister-in-law is making 30% more at the same company for a similar work. Just like that, your external motivation evaporates.

Now let’s flip the lens. Same project, but with a different type of motivation, an internal motivation. You see it as an opportunity to train and to grow your skills, strengthen patience and determination and reinforce self-esteem. By the end, you have become better, regardless of the pay, the novelty or the people. These inner drivers don’t just vanish - though they do need to be cultivated.

In times like these, any kind of motivation helps. But it’s good to remember: we don’t always need to look outside to stay motivated.

 

This is the first post in a series about motivation - starting from within.

Taking a Decision Break…

 

Some time ago, I wrote about decision fatigue - that invisible drain that happens when we are constantly making choices, both big and small. At that time, I briefly mentioned something I called a decision break. But what is that, really?

While the term can have other meanings, here I’m focusing on pausing in the middle of a decision process. Why does it matter?

We all know that some decisions are quick and almost automatic, while others take a lot of thought. When a decision process drags on, it doesn’t just consume time - it consumes energy. The more we think, compare, evaluate and second-guess, the more exhausted we become.

And what happens when we’re exhausted? We become more likely to choose the easiest or more convenient option. instead of the right one. In other words, a decision fatigue pushes us toward bad choices - not because we would not know better, but because we were too tired to follow through. That is the point in which a decision break comes in.

Stop, rest and then decide… It means giving yourself permission to step away from the process before finalizing, rather than forcing an answer.

By taking a decision break, you allow your mind to recharge by using many methods and tactics, such as:

• Sleeping on it before replying.
• Taking a walk instead of staring at the options again and again.
• Shifting focus to something completely different, so the brain can “breathe”.
• Talking to a different person, hopefully someone who is not involved in the decision process.
• Read and write, reflecting on life, being…

The effect is almost magical as what felt tangled suddenly looks clearer and that impossible decision is now manageable.

A break doesn’t just save energy; it restores perspective. When you pause, your subconscious keeps working in the background, integrating information without the stress of constant analysis. That’s why sometimes, after a break, the answer “just comes”.

I would like to suggest you a small practice for your next decision:

1. Pause. It can be calling a good friend, taking a coffee break or meditate. The longer the pause (without compromising the process you are), more relaxed you will become and fatigue will be prevented.
2. Step away - physically or mentally. Close the computer for one hour, go for a walk alone or with someone who is not going to talk to you about the process itself. If it is possible, disconnect yourself and enjoy a bit of tech detox.
3. Come back with fresh energy. Now, don’t stop there… a decision break will be valid only when you go back with a fresh perspective. Maybe it is not going to reinvent the wheel, but it will certainly show an unexplored path.

This can make the difference between a rushed choice and a wise one. So, if you ever find yourself in the middle of an endless decision process, a tiring debate or a heating argument, remember: maybe what you need is not more thinking or more talking, but a very good decision break.

The REAL effect of motivation

 

My perception about motivational speakers is that they are often a bit… shallow. Yes, most motivation techniques only touch the surface of a person; it feels like a very elaborate joke.

However, real motivation is something different. You see it portrayed in movies, songs, and people’s speeches and acts. It has the power to change another person’s life - or a whole situation - in such a way that there is no turning back.

Here are a few examples of real motivation:

• Remember the Titans. Not exactly a masterpiece of cinema, but it touches the heart and inspires us to see people from different backgrounds with a new perspective.
• Patch Adams. Motivation from the perspective of health. Even though it became controversial, the idea of bringing clowns into hospitals has proven to bring real results. In São Paulo, in one of the most dangerous areas dominated by drugs, psychiatrist Flavio Falcone continues this legacy, bringing hope and a ray of light.
• Songs. Too many to count! But here’s a short list:
• Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey). Don’t get trapped by your financial status or circumstances.
• Conqueror (Estelle & Jussie Smollett). Less known, but incredibly performed by Kechi Okwuchi (Kechi Sings). Just listen and see how uplifting it is.
• Maria, Maria (Milton Nascimento). A masterpiece that has inspired countless women living in vulnerable or poor conditions to find their inner greatness.
• Color Esperanza (Diego Torres). During one of Argentina’s darkest economic times, this song awakened hope across the country.
• Stories. From tales, history or simply someone sharing their experience, stories can be deeply motivational. Think of the mentors, teachers, parents, grandparents - or even strangers - who show you a new light, a new hope, maybe even a new path. Don’t you feel like doing something about your life after hearing stories like that? I will tell you one (in brief) told by a friend of mine: A young man from a rural area of Colombia won a school competition about space. A friend of mine helped him raise funds to compete nationally - he won again. Later, after military service, he competed internationally. Eventually, he ended up working at NASA.

Motivation is everywhere: in films, songs, stories and in the people who cross our paths. But the deepest kind of motivation comes from within - something I’ll touch on in another post.