The seventh and final component of decision making is motivation. Motivation, in this context, is the basis upon which a choice is made. It is the underlying, not necessarily the expressed, reason for the will making the decision. Motivation is not actually the cause of the decision, for the will is the cause, but it provides the will with the direction for each decision. The motivation establishes the purpose for the entire decision making process. It is similar to the rudder on a ship. It is the objective behind the decision. It explains what is being sought to be accomplished by the will. One’s will seeks the most efficient means of carrying out one’ motivation.
Motivation is not necessarily one’s expressed reason for making a decision to take certain action. It may not even be the objective the individual believes is his motivation. For instance, one may marry for the expressed reason of ‘love,’ but in actuality he married in an attempt to gain security. Since it is usually painful to admit such a purpose, the person marrying for security may convince himself he married for ‘love.’
The component of motivation is the foundational purpose for making a decision, not the surface reason or the objective at any other level. What is the foundational purpose of seeking an education? Is it to obtain a better job? Is it to provide more income? What is the purpose of the income? This inquiry, if continued, would terminate at the foundational purpose (motivation) for the immediate decision of attaining an education. This brief exercise gives one a glimpse of the potential complexity of the decision making process. Decisions are built upon decisions. The entire process, however, rests upon one’s motivation.
Another way motivation may be explained is as one’s ultimate goal. One’s ultimate goal defines his purpose for living and making decisions. An ultimate goal is the goal one will seek to fulfill above all other goals. It is the foundational goal used to formulate every other goal one adopts. One’s ultimate goal is that which, when all is said and done, an individual sought to accomplish in and with his life. It is the goal to which one devotes all of his time, energy and material possessions in an attempt to achieve it. It is the goal that will structure one’s personality, decision making process, frame of reference, and physical activities. Every decision one makes will be made in the furtherance of his ultimate goal in life.
To further expand on the importance of the component ‘motivation’ as one’s ultimate goal, we need to examine it in light of human organizations and institutions. If an individual is governed by his ultimate goal, then every human institution will be governed by the ultimate goal of those governing each institution. In civil government, the controlling individuals’ ultimate goals will establish the purpose of the government. In a democracy or a representative republic the ultimate goals of the majority of the eligible voters (not just the active voters) will set the tone of government. One’s ultimate goal governs whether he even votes. In a family the parents’ ultimate goal will set its direction. Schools, businesses, churches, clubs, and charities are all governed by the ultimate goal of those in charge.
Choosing one’s ultimate goal, therefore, is the most important and far reaching decision anyone ever makes. It is the most practical decision one ever makes, for it governs every other decision. It is an interesting paradox, that the only decision that one makes that is not governed by his ultimate goal is the choice of his ultimate goal. When considering the primary importance of this decision, it is a wonder that so few choose to take the time to understand its significance. This, too, is an indirect result of motivation.
For more information on ultimate goals visit yourlifegoals.org
