Cultivating success through intrinsic motivation

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31 July

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In the hustle-driven society we live in, we're often led to believe that success is a finish line, a lofty point on a linear path. We are conditioned to measure our worth by how hard we hustle, by the milestones we hit, and by the recognition we gain.

But success is not a ladder to climb endlessly; it’s more like a garden we must cultivate, a garden that grows from within.

The realisation

For many years, I was caught in an endless cycle of content creation and business growth, pushing myself toward a set of external standards. I crafted each post not for the love of it, but for the likes, comments, and the sense of accomplishment that came with digital validation. Yet, the joy was fleeting, and the missing piece was the realization that these efforts were growing a garden that was not my own.

I remember the pivotal moment I realized the garden I was tending wasn't truly mine. Sitting at my desk, surrounded by lists, notebooks, and drafts, I felt a heaviness that stemmed from the unmet expectations I hadn’t critically examined. I closed my computer, went outside, and asked myself what I would create if no one else was watching. The answer startled me with its clarity.

Reconnect with what matters

The shift began with recognising intrinsic motivation. It was about embracing the process, not just the end results. It was about writing, mentoring, and creating from a place of genuine connection rather than superficial performance. This marked the beginning of my authentic journey, a path that provided fulfillment not measurable in numbers but felt deeply in the heart.

Five levels of growing your garden

1. The borrowed Garden

Initially, we strive to replicate others' successes, following prescribed formulas in search of growth. But these aren’t truly our blooms.

2. The Garden Growing

Success materialises—clients, followers, recognition. Yet soon, tending to this garden feels like a chore, driven by obligation instead of joy.

3. A Season of Wilting

Burnout may creep in, or a sense of emptiness despite external achievements. Letting go of draining activities feels daunting, yet essential for healing.

4. Roots of intrinsic motivation

Here lies the transformation. We cherish joy over fear, presence over performance. We cultivate passions that fulfill us, even if unseen by others.

5. The Perennial Garden:

This mature garden transcends seasons. We understand deeply what to plant and when to rest. We share generously, not for validation but for connection.

Embrace intrinsic motivation

Intrinsic motivation is your garden's sunlight and water. It’s the reason you keep tending to your flowers when things get tough. It's the fulfillment derived from the work itself, not just the result. This is the success reflecting personal joy and self-made growth.

Think about this: What lights you up? What are you doing when you're lost in the moment and feel truly alive? Allow those questions to guide your path. Let them inform your rhythm and define your unique success. The world is in need of your authentic contribution—not a mere copy of another's.

If you ever need a reminder, if you ever feel unworthy or lost, remember: The greatest success is cultivated from within, it's the garden only you can grow. It's the bloom that's uniquely yours. Until next time, peace.

For more insights and support on this journey, consider signing up for my newsletter, Rhythm, at akwahaura.com/rhythm. Let's embrace the garden of success that nurtures us from the inside out.