Autonomy & Inner Drive
Learn why your need for autonomy is a component of your inner drive.
We all like to feel like we have control over our work and lives. And since you found your way to the MOTIVATED AF Substack, it is probable that you are at your best when you have a high degree of self-direction, especially when it comes to your work.
So today we’re going to unpack this a bit and see how it relates to your motivation and inner drive.
Autonomy as a Component of Inner Drive
In this context, autonomy refers to your need for independence, agency, and control in any given situation.
It is one of the six fundamental human needs that must be met for someone to flourish, as opposed to merely survive (i.e., needs beyond the basic physiological needs for food and shelter).
While everyone has this need, we each differ in how much autonomy we like overall and in certain kinds of situations. Most people do not like to feel micromanaged or overly constrained, nor do they like feeling abandoned or that they lack necessary resources. There is an individually “appropriate” level of autonomy and support that makes you feel good.
It should be noted that you can like autonomy within collaboration. They aren’t mutually exclusive.
At work, your level of autonomy typically varies with your job seniority, the nature of the work, your boss (or the board), and the culture. Outside of work, it typically varies based on the composition of your household, relationships in your life, the groups you are a part of, and other points of interconnectivity.
Because we all have this human need, we are hard-wired to make sure it is met at a sufficient level. It doesn’t matter if we aren’t conscious of this need. We’ll still take action to fulfill it regardless.
Since an appropriate level of autonomy is necessary for flourishing, and because we’ll subconsciously try to fulfill it, autonomy (like all human needs) is an element of your inner drive.
When Your Need for Autonomy Isn’t Met
When you feel like you have less autonomy than you desire, it can feel stifling and frustrating. Maybe it feels like you are being throttled back, prevented from reaching the outcome as quickly or efficiently as you could if you had more agency. Or possibly you know that with more independence or control you could achieve a better result (whether through your own direct actions or via marshaling others).
Or consider the opposite – when you have more autonomy than suits you. You might feel all alone, out on a limb, or just lost. Sometimes it feels like too much responsibility or burden is on you to carry alone. Other times you’d simply feel happier if you had more support or collaboration.
Whether you’ve got more or less autonomy than you want, it is a problem that results in two issues. First, whenever your needs aren’t sufficiently met, it drains your energy. Sometimes it is more like a subtle leak that persists. Other times it is more pronounced and you are highly aware that the situation is costing you undue energy.
Second, you will be motivated to take action to get that need met in a different way. If you are unconscious to it, you won’t even realize that’s why you’re doing what you’re doing.
For example, if you are micromanaged at work and need more freedom, you may subconsciously find yourself pulling away in your friendships or trying to be more controlling. Or if you feel you are on an island at work, it might make you more clingy with your partner.
If you feel a lack of control in your life in general (e.g., navigating an illness, dealing with a financial situation, etc.), you might find yourself being more controlling at work. Or if you perceive that your life at home is stifling, it wouldn’t be surprising if you sought independence at work.
No judgement for any of this. What matters is that you become aware of your need for autonomy, learn to recognize when it is and isn’t being met, and choose to consciously adjust your behaviors in order to get it fulfilled in a healthy, intentional way.
Quick Check-in
How satisfied are you currently with your level of independence, agency, and control at work?
I’ve got way more autonomy than I’d prefer.
I’ve got somewhat more autonomy than I’d prefer.
I’ve got the right amount of autonomy.
I’ve got somewhat too little autonomy than I’d prefer.
I’ve got way too little autonomy than I’d prefer.
How satisfied are you currently with your level of independence, agency, and control in life?
I’ve got way more autonomy than I’d prefer.
I’ve got somewhat more autonomy than I’d prefer.
I’ve got the right amount of autonomy.
I’ve got somewhat too little autonomy than I’d prefer.
I’ve got way too little autonomy than I’d prefer.
If your desired level isn’t being fulfilled in one context (e.g., work), to what extent is it counterbalanced in the other (e.g., life)?
In retrospect, can you identify any instances where you were subconsciously trying to get your need for autonomy met?
Are there any action items you’d like to assign to yourself at this time?
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Katherine ✨
