How Motivation Leaders Can Help You

Medically reviewed by Melissa Guarnaccia
Updated February 22, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

When people think of motivation leaders, they may think of famous self-help gurus or TED presenters. While these people can indeed serve as sources of motivation and wisdom, motivation leaders can also show up in many areas of everyday life.  

Whether you’d like to get out of your comfort zone, leave a 9-to-5 job, quit a habit, or make a lifestyle change, there are effective ways to enhance your motivation, including by following people who stand out as motivation leaders.

Below, we’ll look at motivation leaders, some of their top qualities, and some ways that they might help you reach your goals.

Are you unmotivated to make important changes?

Why we may not feel motivated

There are many possible reasons why someone might not have the motivation they need. Below are just a few:

We are creatures of comfort

Suppose you are in a spot in your life that's comfortable, yet you want to do more. You may have a decent job and a good family, but you dream of getting a better job or starting your own business. This can be challenging to do from a position of comfort. Humans still have a survival instinct, and when we are in an area that provides safety and sustenance, we often don't want to venture out into the unknown. Quitting your job may mean that you put your finances—and maybe even your family—at risk. 

Fear of failure

Fear of failure can sometimes hold us back, but it might be helpful to think of failure as a spectrum. Sometimes, failure simply means that the company where you applied for a job said no. Other times, failure can be more severe. If you quit your job and start a new business, that business can fail and lead you to be in debt.

Sometimes, to accomplish a task, you have to fail—sometimes several times—before you succeed. This can be true regardless of your goals. These setbacks might be thought of as points on a spectrum toward success. Many famous authors had their works rejected dozens of times before they found someone who was willing to publish their work. Plenty of successful actors were rejected from roles until they found their big break.

This concept might be applied to smaller goals too. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, there may be a day when you forget to work out. There may be a day when the scale says you've gained a few pounds. Some dieters may give up, but for many people, the road to weight loss can have ups and downs.

Despite this, fear of failure prevents many people from ever starting. Whatever your source of fear is, it can be overcome, especially through the help of motivational leaders. 

The past

There may have been events in your childhood that made you unmotivated, such as having an unsupportive parent or being bullied at school. However, it’s possible to heal and move on from your past. This process may be easier if you find people who naturally motivate you to work toward change.

The people around you

Your motivation can be affected by others around you. If you surround yourself with people who say you can't reach your goals or ignore you, then you may lose motivation. Meanwhile, if you surround yourself with more positive friends, they may inspire you and cheer you on as you make incremental changes toward your goals.

A mental health disorder

Mental health challenges can sometimes negatively affect our motivation. For example, if you experience anxiety or depression, you may feel apathetic or not have energy to stay motivated for very long. In cases like these, a doctor or a therapist may be able to help you overcome your depression.

What is a motivation leader?

A motivation leader is someone who helps guide people to reach their goals and gives them the motivation to succeed. They can come in the form of a team leader at work who knows how to increase employee motivation, a team coach, a motivational speaker, a mentor, or anyone else who gets you motivated.

By surrounding yourself with people who encourage you to reach your goals, you may be able to find the motivation you need to succeed, and you may accomplish your goals faster.

Are you unmotivated to make important changes?

Traits of a motivational leader

A motivation leader may have a mix of strong traits that lead others to succeed. The following are just a few:

  • They are optimistic. Even in the face of failure, a good leader may be able to turn a difficult situation into a learning experience and formulate a plan to succeed next time.
  • They are creative. A motivation leader may come up with different ways to help you succeed. 
  • They are confident. Motivation leaders tend to exude confidence. Also, according to research published by Forbes, effective leaders often make other people around them feel more confident, which may lead to a better performance for everyone.
  • They can communicate well. Strong leaders tend to understand how to communicate directly with each person, understanding that everyone has their own way of communicating.
  • They are realistic. They tend to admit their mistakes and have a realistic, but positive attitude toward life. You can be both an optimist and someone who is realistic.
  • They are able to see the big picture, helping others see it too.
  • They are courageous. They may have fears and doubts, but they tend to push forward. 

Finding a motivational leader

You may not have to go far to find a motivational leader. They're not always famous motivational speakers. Instead, they could be the people you least expect to stand out as leaders.

  • A teacher. A good teacher not only teaches the subject matter in a class but also makes students feel capable of succeeding.
  • A boss. While some people may have had bosses who are stubborn and bring their workers down, many bosses lead rather than dictate. They tend to be good motivators to encourage you to do your best.
  • A friend. A good friend may be able to motivate you when you’re going through challenging times. They won't ignore you when you need help, but instead cheer you on and ask if you need any assistance.
  • Someone online. An online friend can be a motivator as well. Sometimes, you can even go to forums and find an entire group of people who motivate one another.

Cultivating motivation through counseling

Another possible source of motivation is through counseling. If you don’t have therapists near you or if you feel hesitant to try traditional therapy, you might try online therapy. 

When people think of a counselor, many imagine someone scribbling down everything you have to say, but there are many types of counselors out there, including those who are designed to motivate. They often know the mind well and may be able to help you bypass any roadblocks you face.

One type of counseling called motivational enhancement therapy (MET) is an approach designed to help with an individual’s motivation to make changes. It is particularly designed to help those who have difficulty with certain behaviors, such as substance use or behaviors associated with eating disorders, but it can also help anyone having difficulty getting motivated to make desired changes. MET is designed to help people identify their internal motivators for making needed changes. The use of motivational enhancement therapy has been found to encourage individuals to stay motivated longer. 

If you’re having difficulty feeling motivated to see a counselor, online counseling can also be an effective method of receiving help. With an online therapy service like BetterHelp, you can work with a licensed therapist from the comfort of your home or anywhere you have an internet connection. Online therapy has also shown to be just as effective as in-person therapy for many people, and it’s usually less expensive than in-person therapy.

Takeaway

Finding the motivation you need can be challenging, but it can be done, especially if the people around you inspire you. Be it a friend or a professional counselor, it may help to talk to someone who serves as a motivation leader. With BetterHelp, you can be matched with a therapist who has experience with motivational interviewing, motivational enhancement therapy, or any other modality that can help you get motivated to reach your goals. Take the first step toward getting motivated to make change and reach out to BetterHelp.
Struggling to find motivation in your life?
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