Beyond the Outcome: Understanding What Truly Drives You

Most of us think we know what motivation is. We assume it’s about chasing success, making more money, earning a promotion, or winning a prize. We picture motivation as the drive to achieve something tangible. But here’s the truth: motivation isn’t about the outcome—it’s about the action itself.

Think about it.

Two people might both want to turn a profit in their business. On the surface, their motivation looks the same. But when you dig deeper, their reasons could be completely different. One might be driven by the desire to keep their doors open and serve more people in need. The other might want to use their earnings to fund causes they care about. The tangible result—profit—is the same. But their true motivation is entirely different.

The same applies to so many areas of life. Someone training for a marathon might be motivated by a love of pushing their limits, while another does it to inspire their children. One person may strive for a leadership position because they want to shape company culture, while another seeks that same role to gain influence and connections.

The difference? The why behind the action.

Understanding your motivation at this level is transformative. It changes how you approach work, relationships, and even personal goals. It’s the key to knowing how you’re meant to show up in the world—not by chasing external rewards, but by fully embracing the actions that bring you deep fulfillment.

The Missing Piece in Personal Growth

At some point, we all seek to understand ourselves better. We take personality tests, read books on self-improvement, and search for ways to grow. We want to be better, get better, and become the best versions of ourselves.

There are many good assessments out there. Each provides valuable insights. They give us labels—Connector, Introvert, Galvanizer, Phlegmatic—helping us understand certain aspects of our behavior and tendencies. But have you ever stopped to ask: Why am I a Connector? Why do I function best as a Galvanizer? Why do I prefer introversion over extroversion?

This is where most assessments stop short. They describe what you are, but they don’t explain why you are that way.

For example, you and I might both be labeled as Connectors in the StrengthsFinder assessment. But our motivations could be entirely different. My drive to connect may come from a deep desire to help people who each need what the other has find each other. Your drive to connect might stem from a strong motivation to collaborate—where connecting people is just one step in creating something bigger.

Same label, different motivation.

That’s the key distinction. Understanding why we operate the way we do gives us clarity, direction, and a deeper sense of purpose. And this is exactly where MCode comes in.

MCode: The Key to Confident Action

When we understand our motivation, something powerful happens—we take action with greater confidence and clarity.

Why? Because we know we are stepping into work, decisions, and relationships that align with who we truly are. We can move forward without hesitation, knowing the action itself will energize us rather than drain us. We also free ourselves from judgment and guilt when we recognize that our motivation is not something to fix—it’s something to understand and use wisely.

Take, for example, someone highly motivated to persuade. They might worry they come across as pushy, always trying to convince others of something. They may even feel an ethical dilemma about their ability to influence. But when they understand their true motivation, they see that persuasion, at its core, is about clearly communicating something they deeply believe in. They want others to have the same insight, experience, or opportunity they’ve had.

And persuasion, when used well, is a gift. A priest might persuade you to go to confession with a stellar homily. A friend might persuade you to finally take that leap of faith you’ve been putting off. Your spouse might persuade you to try a new restaurant, knowing you’ll love the food.

The same principle applies to every motivation. When we understand the true nature of what drives us, we can step into the world authentically. We can embrace our strengths and use them for good, rather than feeling conflicted about them. And when we recognize the limits of our motivations—when we see where we might overdo it—we can apply self-awareness to bring balance and intention to our actions.

LIFE.TRANSFORMED.

Understanding what motivates you at a deep level isn’t just an interesting exercise—it’s the key to living with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Here’s how to start using your motivation as a guide:

➝ Pay attention to what energizes you. Think back to the moments when you’ve felt truly alive—where time seemed to disappear and you were fully engaged in what you were doing. These moments aren’t random. They are clues pointing to what truly drives you. Take note of the tasks, conversations, and activities that light you up. Those are the places where your motivation is at work.

➝ Notice what drains you. We all have things we can do well but that leave us feeling exhausted or disengaged. These are signs that we’re operating outside our core motivation. If certain tasks deplete you, take a step back and ask: Is this something I have to do, or is there a way to shift how I approach it? Can I delegate it, reframe it, or adjust my role to align more closely with what fuels me?

➝ Ask yourself the deeper question. Don’t settle for surface-level answers when setting goals. If you want success, fulfillment, or change, ask why?—and then keep asking. The first answer might not reveal the full picture. Keep digging until you uncover what’s truly driving you. That’s where clarity and purpose are found.

➝ Learn to align your work and life with your motivation. Transformation happens when you start living and working in a way that honors your unique motivational design. Sometimes, this means making bold changes. Other times, it’s about small but intentional shifts—adjusting how you contribute to a project, how you show up in relationships, or how you pursue personal growth. When you work with your motivation instead of against it, everything starts to feel more natural, more energized, and more fulfilling.

Understanding your motivation changes everything. It frees you from guilt, hesitation, and burnout. It gives you the confidence to step fully into the life you were created to live.

Because you weren’t meant to just get through the day.

You were meant to thrive.