Which Motivates You – The Chase or The Catch?

In the final newsletter relating to Siegelman’s PERMA model for wellbeing and flourishing we look at Achievement and Accomplishments.

The interesting thing about achieving something is whether the value was in the journey or the destination. There is a strong argument for having a goal, or just reaching for a goal, being more valuable than successfully getting there.

Is the real value in mastering the skills needed for chasing our goal, or the sense of satisfaction in getting there? Is it the self-motivation the goal, or looking back with pride on our achievement? Should we set unattainable goals to strive towards?

It is a bit like New Year’s Resolutions – what happens when we achieve it? Do we throw in the towel then, and bask in our glory? Or do we set another higher goal to accomplish or achieve?

Maybe it is both? The sense of pride having completed and accomplished is why people use the SMART model of goal setting. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. And being able to reflect on our past successes and celebrating our achievements in a creative way (rewards, trip to the movies or dinner, getting a puppy!).

Which would motivate you – the chase or the catch? I’d love to hear from you.