Unlock Your Motivation: Understanding What Drives You [FREE test]
Why you feel "in the zone" on one project but totally drained by another
Ever felt completely in the zone on one project but totally drained by another? The difference often comes down to motivation—and, more specifically, what motivates you. Understanding your motivation isn’t just a self-help buzzword; it’s the key to unlocking your energy levels and consistently doing your best work.
This is where the Motivational Spiderweb Model comes into play. It's a tool I created after working with 100+ companies, founders, and teams to help them uncover their unique motivators and potential mismatches with others.
Do you want to know what your result means? Send me a message on LinkedIn and I’ll elaborate on your results!
🤔 What Is the Motivational Spiderweb Model?
At its core, the model looks at six categories of motivation: Meaning, Mastery, Autonomy, Achievement, Power, and Affiliation. By answering 30 simple questions, you get a score from 1 to 5 in each category. Think of it as a personal "motivation fingerprint" that reveals why you thrive in some situations and struggle in others.
Here’s a breakdown:
Meaning: Do you need your work to feel purposeful? Are you building something bigger than yourself? For me, this ranks sky-high. It's probably why I’ve written books, started companies, and created tools like this. I want to build. If your work doesn’t align with what gives you meaning, you’ll feel drained—even if it’s “easy.”
Mastery: Do you crave being a specialist, or do you thrive as a generalist? High mastery means you’re motivated by opportunities to sharpen your skills. If you feel stuck on autopilot at work, chances are this category is under-served.
Autonomy: Do you need independence? High-autonomy people (like me) love having the freedom to make decisions but often struggle with micromanagement. The catch? We’re also the least likely to ask for help when we need it.
Achievement: Do clear goals light a fire under you? If you’re the type who thrives on chasing KPIs, hitting milestones, or ticking off your to-do list, this is probably high for you. For example, I know projects without clear objectives frustrate me, while ones with sharp KPIs keep me laser-focused.
Power: Do you need to have your voice heard? High-power individuals want influence across different parts of the company, whether it’s strategic input or decision-making. They’re the ones who want a seat at the table—and who might struggle if they feel sidelined.
Affiliation: Are you motivated by a sense of belonging? High-affiliation people thrive in collaborative teams and value being part of a social group. For them, work is about relationships as much as results.
What’s your motivational fingerprint?
Do you want to know what your result means? Send me a message on LinkedIn and I’ll elaborate on your results!
📝 What’s Your Motivational Profile?
This isn’t just about self-awareness; it’s about alignment. When you understand your scores, you can structure your work (and life) to play to your strengths and minimize energy drains.
Example:
If you score high in Autonomy, you might do your best work when given freedom and trust. But if your boss micromanages, you’ll likely feel stifled and disengaged.
If you rank high on Achievement but low on Affiliation, a results-driven solo project might be your dream, while endless team meetings feel like a nightmare.
❓ How Can You Use This?
Here’s the key: Motivation mismatches aren’t just personal—they’re interpersonal too. Understanding your own profile is step one. Step two? Recognizing how your motivators might clash with those of team members, co-founders, or clients.
Common Mismatches:
A high-autonomy employee working for a micromanaging boss.
A high-affiliation team member feeling isolated on a remote-first team.
A high-achievement co-founder frustrated by a lack of clear KPIs.
When these mismatches happen, frustration builds, energy drains, and effectiveness tanks.
🤔 How to Implement?
Here are three simple steps to start using the Motivational Spiderweb Model.
Complete the Questionnaire 📝
Take 10 minutes to answer the 30 questions. It’ll give you a clear picture of your motivational profile across all six categories.Find Your Mismatches 🚦
Compare your scores with your current work environment or team. Are there areas where your motivators clash with the situation? For example, is your high need for Meaning being ignored because your projects feel transactional?Optimize Your Energy ⚡
Make adjustments to your day, projects, or team interactions to align better with your motivators. Maybe that means setting clearer KPIs, asking for more autonomy, or leaning into opportunities for mastery.
⚡️ Why This Matters
Motivation isn’t static; it’s deeply personal. When you understand what drives you—and what drains you—you gain the clarity to:
Structure your work for maximum energy.
Avoid burnout by reducing motivational mismatches.
Communicate more effectively with your team and collaborators.
What’s your motivational fingerprint?
Do you want to know what your result means? Send me a message on LinkedIn and I’ll elaborate on your results!
Do you want to know what your result means? Send me a message on LinkedIn and I’ll elaborate on your results!
Let me know in the comments: What’s the biggest motivator for you in your work?
👋 Until next time,
Casper
I built these startups to help you:
The Effectivity Playbook: My toolbox with the 20 most popular effectivity tools (incl. implementation guides)
First Book ai: Write your first book in days, not years, with our AI platform (used by +300 authors)
Effectivity coaching: Helping business leaders and teams reclaim 50% of their time in just 30 days
Want the full Effectivity Playbook, including tools like this? Check it out here.
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