Volition – Willpower for Achieving Goals in Working Life
I became interested in volition through my studies in Systemic Business Coaching.
The concept is, in principle, simple and self-evident—yet surprisingly underdiscussed in working life. Leaders and managers are frequently encouraged to focus on motivating their teams and to recognize the value of motivated employees.
But perhaps it’s time to broaden that conversation: how can we also strengthen volition—the energy of will?
Modern work life increasingly demands strong self-leadership. The ability to stay motivated, set clear goals, and maintain direction in changing situations is essential both in expert roles and leadership. Still, one psychological dimension is often overlooked, despite its crucial role in performance and follow-through: volition—the power of will and execution.
Motivation is desire, volition is willpower
While motivation and volition are both linked to action and goal achievement, they are fundamentally different.
Motivation is the desire and intention to do something. It drives our curiosity, excitement, and willingness to start. When motivated, we tend to choose tasks that are enjoyable, interesting, and satisfying.
Volition, on the other hand, is the unconditional commitment to achieve a goal. It is the internal willpower that initiates and sustains action even when the work is not easy, pleasant, or inspiring. A volitional person doesn’t just pick what feels good—they choose what is necessary for the goal, even if it’s demanding or uncomfortable.
“The fact that someone is easily excited by new things, tasks, and projects is a sign of strong motivation. The fact that they struggle to follow through or feel guilty about leaving things unfinished is typically a sign of weak volition.” (Parppei 2018)
Why volition matters in working life
Work doesn’t always offer inspiration or excitement. Often, we have to do things that bring no immediate gratification. It’s in those moments that volition separates achievers from those who remain stuck in unfinished plans.
1. Self-leadership
Volition is at the heart of effective self-leadership. It helps us stick to the plan, commit to daily goals, and finish tasks, especially when motivation fades.
2. Resilience and perseverance
Willpower helps us keep moving through setbacks, feedback, and pressure. Volition bridges the gap between temporary discomfort and long-term success.
3. Goal-oriented action
A motivated person tends to choose pleasant tasks, while a volitional person prioritizes the ones that truly drive the team or individual toward the goal.
4. Execution ability
Ideas are common. Executing them takes more. Volitional employees don’t just generate ideas, they finish what they start and take ownership of outcomes.
How to develop volition?
The good news: volition is not an inborn trait, it’s a skill that can be trained. Some practical ways include:
- Clarify your goals – Knowing what you aim to achieve makes it easier to direct your actions.
- Break tasks down – Lower the threshold for starting by dividing large tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
- Build routines – Willpower is a limited resource; routines help minimize daily decision fatigue.
- Practice discomfort – Stepping intentionally outside your comfort zone strengthens volition.
- Ask for help—use coaching – You don’t have to do it all alone. A good coach can guide your thinking and help you discover ways to build volitional strength.
Motivation excites, but volition gets things done
Motivation gets us going. It brings energy, meaning, and direction. But without volition, motivation may remain just a good intention.
Success in modern work life requires people who can execute with determination, even without constant enthusiasm.
Motivation is the spark. Volition is the engine that gets you (and your team) to the finish line.
The author is a consultant at Growth Agency IHME, currently training as a Coach, and supporting business leaders in reaching their goals.
