More than Motivation

More Than Motivation

Written by Emily Liu

Motivation isn’t real. At least it doesn’t do what most people think it does.

I used to believe that sheer willpower would give me the discipline to succeed on my own. For short-term tasks with looming deadlines, like studying for a MIS exam or turning in an R script, that was enough. But I am sure you, like I, have goals that are far more long-term. Whether it is breaking into Wall Street or retiring by 50, ambition is a hallmark of every business honors student. It was not until I joined the Honors Business Association that I realized my growth was not driven by a hunger for material success, but shaped by my environment.

Behavior scientists like Angela Duckworth, author of “Grit,” describe situation modification, or the idea that changing your circumstances is more effective than relying on motivation. For me, HBA quietly rewrote what effort looked like. It stopped being about waiting until I felt inspired enough to network, build skills, or speak up. Being surrounded by peers who were already doing that work, and doing it well, made progress feel like the default rather than a burden. Hearing from speakers at general meetings also helped me recognize and act on opportunities to learn from professionals in the industry.

A HBA event that stood out to me was our IB + Consulting panel last year, where we got to speak to a panel of business honors upperclassmen. Hearing their experiences with an audience of similarly interested students was inspiring.  I especially enjoyed listening to one of our own HBA members, Corporate Relations Vice President Katherine Gallardo. She reinforced the idea that through HBA, I was surrounding myself with a great community. After the panel, I reached out to connect with her over the phone, something I likely wouldn’t have been encouraged to do without that context.

At UT, finding the right community can feel daunting. Pre-professional clubs are notorious for taking only a handful of students each semester, so it is easy to get discouraged. HBA was the first group that welcomed me, and every business honors student, right away. It challenged the notion that selectivity is what makes a community meaningful. So, whether through HBA or other means, I encourage everyone to place themselves in environments where growth becomes inevitable.