Irrational beliefs can lower motivation at work by triggering stress, avoidance, and negative thinking. Identifying these patterns and replacing them with rational thoughts can improve confidence, engagement, and performance.
Being human is akin to being rational. Though rationality is an innate feature, humans are vulnerable to irrational beliefs and thoughts. Irrational beliefs are self-defeating core beliefs that are developed from events experienced throughout life. In other words, irrational beliefs are an unhealthy set of habitual responses that bring low motivation and thereby hinder the performance of individuals, be it at the workplace or in life. On the other hand, rational beliefs and thoughts are logical and realistic thoughts that bring out the best in individuals.
Irrational belief has a vital role in fluctuating the physiological and psychological response of the human body. The anterior/posterior subregions of the prefrontal cortex of the brain process safety threat information that is a response to stressful situations. Irrational beliefs activate certain regions of the prefrontal cortex which give rise to prolonged stress in the individual and result in dysfunctional physiological responses. Therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy can help manage irrational beliefs and thoughts.
How are beliefs linked with motivation at work?
Research indicates a positive link between irrational beliefs and motivation at the workplace.
Irrational beliefs and low motivation are concomitant with each other and can result in poor mental health. The effects of low-level motivation at the workplace are poor employee engagement, diminished productivity, procrastination, anxiety, stress, etc. Automatic negative thoughts, avoidance behaviour, anxiety, stress, etc. in the workplace are usually a response to irrational beliefs. When you experience self-defeating beliefs, you feel less motivated to be productive at the workplace. For example, if you believe 'I failed in this project, I am a complete failure', you are likely to not commit to other projects due to the fear of failure. Managing such beliefs and converting them into more rational ones can positively impact our psychological well-being at the workplace.
According to REBT, there are four types of irrational beliefs:
- Demandingness is incorporating musts and shoulds in statements. For example, you say to yourself ‘Like others, I must be able to complete this in 1 hour’, this can create anxiety or stress and if not done can reduce motivation levels.
- Awfulizing is seeing every situation in the worst possible way. For example, if you believe your presentation at the meeting is going to be the worst before the meeting starts, you might delay going to the meeting or completing the presentation or procrastinate on what needs to be done.
- Frustration intolerance as the name suggests is being unable to tolerate something. For example, if you say to yourself ‘I can’t stand this person’, this might hamper your ability to work as a team player.
- Rating or damning yourself with others. For example, if you believe that not performing well in a certain task makes you a worthless employee, this would lead to low motivation and you may not invest any effort in self-development.
Identifying irrational beliefs is the first step in managing them, converting them into rational ones leads to a sense of self-development and enhances motivation and performance at the workplace.
If you are struggling with irrational beliefs, do reach out to a mental health professional to learn how to manage them.