Gayle Hardie, Senior Member of the Enneagram in Business Network, shares an important insight about motivation, as she clearly differentiates between intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external) motivation.

“You are the only one who can motivate yourself. You can be inspired by others to make a difference or change what you do or how you are; however, you are the only one who can make it happen for you.”

I don’t recall who shared these thoughts with me, however they provide great insight in to why it is difficult to change – even when someone has inspired me to see the possibilities, benefits or rewards that come in doing so.

Inspiration can definitely shift our perspective; in fact we may even start down a new path as a result of being inspired. However, the habits or automated responses we have to situations, people and things, are well established and well practiced and work against maintaining this shift in the longer term.

When we recognize these habits and responses and understand their impact on us we are in a better position to take what we are inspired by and truly motivate ourselves to do something about it.

Enneagram Ideas
For all of us, we need to go within, discover our core values and deepest desires, decide what is important to us, and pursue our dreams and maintain our efforts even when factors that stimulate our egos arise. Here are some of the common pitfalls to inner motivation, based on our Enneagram styles.

Enneagram One
Pitfalls: Can you maintain your inner motivation even when you or others around you are making mistakes, when you are fatigued from over-work and being overly self-controlled, and even when you are feeling irritated?

Enneagram Two
Pitfalls: Can you maintain your inner motivation even when others criticize you, are “mean spirited” toward you or others, or they don’t follow your advice or suggestions

Enneagram Three
Pitfalls: Can you maintain your inner motivation even when others do not perceive you as effective, do not treat you with respect, or when, for whatever reason, your confidence is shaken

Enneagram Four
Pitfalls: Can you maintain your inner motivation even when you perceive someone is demeaning or rejecting you, when you have to do what you consider to be a mundane or boring task, or when you are distressed and upset with someone or something?

Enneagram Five
Pitfalls: Can you maintain your inner motivation even when you perceive that demands are being place on you that could potentially drain your energy and resources, or when you or others feel strong emotions?

Enneagram Six
Pitfalls: Can you maintain your inner motivation even when you are scared, don’t know what to do, or perceive something as dangerous beyond your ability to handle it

Enneagram Seven
Pitfalls: Can you maintain your inner motivation even when what you are doing might limit your options and choices, no one is really listening to all your ideas, or if something painful or difficult has occurred?

Enneagram Eight
Pitfalls: Can you maintain your inner motivation even when you are not in control, you feel vulnerable in some way, or when your gut says something is not going in the right direction and you can’t change its course?

Enneagram Nine
Pitfalls: Can you maintain your inner motivation even when you feel tired, when there is conflict involved that cannot be resolved, when people are not being sufficiently heard, or when your integrity is challenged in some way?