The 4 P's Of Personal Motivation

Forbes

a day ago

Antonia Bowring ABstrategies LLC, MBA. Top Ranked Executive Coach, Speaker, and Author of ''Coach Yourself.''
Lately, I've found myself in a funk. The state of the world and a handful of transitions in my own life have left me distracted and unfocused. I wouldn't describe it as clinical depression—I'm lucky in that regard—but I have been feeling low. But crucially, I also feel like I have the agency to do something about it. The challenge has been figuring out how to tap into that agency.
What's helped me the most is focusing on what I can control. Out of that came a simple but powerful self-check I now rely on: the 4 P's of personal motivation—purpose, passion, practice and proficiency.
This framework gives me a grounded place to return to when I feel stuck. I've been applying it to my latest project: writing my third book, Leading with ADHD: The Profound, Practical, and Physical Journey. And getting started on the writing has been a challenge. I've got loads of raw material—40 interviews and over 190 completed surveys—but I keep toggling between feeling overwhelmed by how much I have and worried that I'm still missing something. Structuring the book is also tricky. It's important to preserve my voice, but equally important that this book becomes a platform for the voices of the leaders who generously shared their experiences with ADHD.
Oh, and then there's AI. It's both my closest ally and my biggest headache right now. (Honestly, I could write an entire piece just on this tension.)
Most days, I run through these 4 P's like a checklist. Here's how they help.
Purpose
• Why did I start this project?
• How does it address a problem I care about?
• What value could it add for the greater good?
When I reconnect with purpose, I remember that my adult diagnosis of ADHD fuels this work. I want to spotlight the lived experiences of leaders with ADHD—not only because they're inspiring, but because they offer real, practical strategies for navigating leadership with this different brain wiring. I want younger leaders with ADHD to see what's possible.
Passion
• What excites me about this work?
• What short-term goals can I celebrate to keep up my dopamine levels?
• Am I noticing and honoring the small wins?
Reading through the interview transcripts reignites my passion. These stories are raw, emotional, funny and full of wisdom. I can't wait to share them. This isn't abstract theory—it's real leadership in motion.
Practice
• Have I created a routine I can stick with?
• Does my environment support my focus and creativity?
• Am I giving myself compassion when things go off-plan?
For me, practice equals habit. When motivation is low, structure helps. I schedule writing blocks and always note what I plan to tackle next. That gives me something solid to return to, especially on days lacking focus.
Proficiency
• Do I have the skills and tools to do this well?
• Where are my gaps—and how can I close them?
• Who can I turn to for guidance or support?
Right now, proficiency means learning to use AI to wrangle my data. I'm working with an AI consultant who's guiding me through organizing notes and shaping the book's structure. It's a roller coaster—equal parts frustrating and exhilarating—but I'm learning, and that sense of progress matters.
Ideally, I'd hit the sweet spot in the center of the Venn diagram where all four P's overlap. When that happens, motivation flows effortlessly. But most days aren't like that. Some days I lean heavily on one 'P'—like habit, or practice—and let that be enough. And that's okay. I'm beginning to find my rhythm in short, productive sprints. On those days, I know I'm tapping into all four P's in some way—and that's where the magic starts to happen.
Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?