How is Motivational Maps® Different from Personality Tests?
This is a common question. There are countless personality tests, and they are all excellent tools for helping people understand themselves a little better. The most popular personality tests categorize people into 4-16 types and, in doing so, stereotype them.
Personality tests deal with traits and types that are relatively constant and stable. They provide a snapshot of "Who you are." But personality alone does not answer the question of why someone is motivated.
Motivational Maps® is a self-assessment tool that measures our dynamic, constantly changing states and our current energy levels. It’s a "video" of how enthusiastic and internally motivated an individual is at that specific moment. With over a million possible, fundamentally different map combinations, Motivational Maps® does not stereotype.
It answers the questions:
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What drives you?
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Why are you interested in this right now?
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What would it take to move you in a better direction?
The 3 Components of Motivation
Motivation has several identified aspects, and personality is just one of three key components:
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Personality Types: These are fundamentally stable, stem from our past, and are largely innate.
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Our Self-Image: This is dynamic and changes in the present. It's our perception of ourselves, how valuable we believe we are, how much we like ourselves, and the "ideal self" we wish to become. For example, when a relationship ends, many people's self-image is damaged: they might feel unlovable or worthless, lose all motivation, and sink into deep apathy.
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Our Vision of the Future: What we expect from the future also shapes our motivation. If someone believes humanity will soon destroy the planet, they may have no motivation to have children. But if they believe a new generation, free from past constraints, can save the earth, they will be motivated by that goal.
Approximately 70% of our motivation depends on our self-image and our vision of the future—both of which represent constantly changing energy states within us.
This is why it is crucial to always be aware of your current motivators; this awareness allows you to make the right career decisions!
And this is exactly where we, as motivation experts and coaches, can help—at both the individual and corporate level. We use Motivational Mapping diagnostics and expert development (for individuals, leaders, and teams) as a core strategy for employee retention.