Jelena Dincic
Bet you’ve never heard of motivational intelligence before, have you? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one.
And even though the concept may be new to you, you’re probably aware of the fact that there is more than just one type of intelligence.
It’s not just about reasoning and logic, there is also emotional intelligence, linguistic intelligence, and musical intelligence, among others.
So what’s motivational intelligence?
In a nutshell, motivational intelligence is what drives people to pursue their goals.
It means being able to recognize and harness the driving forces that influence human behavior, enabling people to set and pursue their goals, and inspiring them and others to go out there and get stuff done.
In this article, we’ll go through the 12 signs of someone with motivational intelligence, so read on to find out if you’re one of them!
1) Clear goals
One of the first signs that you’re someone with high motivational intelligence is that you have clear and well-defined personal and professional goals.
It may not seem like much to you, but it’s actually a pretty big deal because you need a goal to work toward.
For example, your goal may be to travel the world. That will motivate you to work hard and save money so that you can turn your dream into a reality.
See what I mean?
2) Persistence
Now it’s all very well to have goals, but the truth is that unless you’re really persistent and strong-willed your chances of achieving your goals aren’t so great.
So, if you’re someone who is determined and resilient and you don’t give up easily when you come across setbacks, it’s another sign that you are motivationally intelligent.
3) Self-discipline
Now, a lot of people have big dreams and like to make big plans.
“I’m gonna have my own company by the time I’m 30.”
“I’m gonna pay off my student loans and buy a house in 5 years, just watch me!”
But here’s the problem – unless they have self-discipline, they can kiss their dreams goodbye.
It’s one thing to want to do something and quite another to actually see it through.
So, do you have the focus and discipline to get things done and resist distractions?
4) Positive self-talk
It may sound silly to some people but positive self-talk and positive affirmations make all the difference in how you feel.
I’ve known a lot of people who have failed to make something of themselves because they were full of negative self-talk. They kept telling themselves things like, “I can’t do that, I’m not smart enough” or “Nobody’s gonna give me a chance, why bother?”
In the same way they gave up before they even started, people who practice positive self-talk and have a constructive and optimistic inner dialogue are able to motivate themselves to work hard and try their best.
And the result?
When you’re motivated and work toward your goal, chances are you’ll succeed. It may take a few tries but you’ll get there in the end.
If that sounds like you, that’s another surefire sign you’ve got high motivational intelligence.
5) Adaptability
Life is just so unpredictable. You can plan all you want for things to go one way only to have the exact opposite happen.
What is it they say? “God laughs at our plans”
Well, people with high motivational intelligence know that when things don’t go according to plan, they need to adapt to the situation.
It’s important to keep the end goal in mind and not lose heart.
6) Celebrating small wins
Here’s another sign that you have high motivational intelligence – you know how to enjoy the small wins.
Some people are so focused on the end result or the big win that they fail to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements along the way.
And guess what?
If reaching their goal takes a while and they fail to see the progress they’re making, they’ll lose their motivation and may never reach their goal.
7) Active listening
So, as I mentioned earlier, having high motivational intelligence isn’t just about having drive. It’s also about inspiring others to be the best selves they can be and to pursue their goals.
One way of doing that is by being an active listener.
Basically what it means is taking a genuine interest in what others have to say and validating their thoughts and ideas.
8) Effective communication
Another way to motivate and inspire others is through effective communication.
Just look at anyone from politicians to influencers!
If you’re articulate and can put forward a compelling argument or paint an inspiring picture, you will in fact influence others with your words and your vision.
9) Recognition
Just like it’s important to celebrate the little wins on your own journey, it’s equally important to give others recognition when it’s merited.
By acknowledging and appreciating the efforts and achievements of other people, you’re fueling them to keep going.
10) Feedback
Feedback is important. It’s what helps us improve and grow.
The important thing to remember is to be constructive if you want to motivate someone to improve. If you’re just critical and negative, you may have the opposite effect and leave them feeling like utter failures.
11) Collaboration
Are you a team player?
The reason I’m asking is because people with high motivational intelligence are usually very supportive and like to foster a collaborative environment.
It’s that “One for all and all for one” attitude that inspires people to work toward their joint goals.
12) Leadership skills
Finally, if you’ve got leadership skills, it’s another sign that you have high motivational intelligence.
Natural leaders are people others respect and trust, that’s why they’re able to motivate and guide them toward a desired outcome.
The bottom line
As you can see from this article, motivational intelligence is a very useful skill to have.
Not only does it empower you to set your goals and stay on the path to achieving them, but it also inspires others to follow in your footsteps.
It’s definitely a skill you should nurture if you want to enhance personal productivity as well as create a positive and motivating environment for others (especially at work).
