Living in the UK as a Nigerian comes with its own set of challenges — from adjusting to a different work culture to chasing big dreams in a fast-paced environment. Some days, you wake up ready to conquer the world. Other days, you need a little push.
That’s where motivation and inspiration come in. They’re not the same thing, but when you combine them, they can take you from just surviving in the UK to truly thriving.
What is Motivation?
Motivation is the drive that gets you moving. It’s that inner or outer push that makes you take action — like applying for that job, enrolling in a course, or finally starting that business idea you’ve been talking about.
For example:
- You work extra shifts because you want to save for your own apartment in London.
- You study every night because you don’t want to fail your UK professional exams.
- You keep sending out job applications even after multiple rejections, because you’re determined to land a role with visa sponsorship.
Motivation can come from:
- Internal factors – ambition, fear of failure, personal goals.
- External factors – peer pressure, expectations from family back home, rewards like a promotion or pay rise.
What is Inspiration?
Inspiration is that spark that lights up your imagination. It’s when something moves you so deeply that you want to take action.
For example:
- You see another Nigerian in the UK share their journey from cleaning jobs to becoming a software engineer, and you suddenly feel like, “If they can do it, I can too.”
- You attend a Nigerian community event in Manchester and meet business owners who started small — and now you feel like starting your own catering business.
- You watch a motivational clip on Instagram and suddenly get the urge to finally write that book you’ve been talking about for years.
Inspiration comes from within, but it’s often triggered by external moments, people, or experiences.
6 Key Differences Between Motivation and Inspiration
- Timeframe – Motivation can be short-lived, but inspiration tends to last longer.
- Source – Motivation is often triggered externally, while inspiration is more internal.
- Predictability – Motivation can be planned (like setting a deadline), but inspiration can hit you unexpectedly.
- Feeling – Inspiration feels natural and exciting, while motivation sometimes feels like hard work.
- Purpose – Motivation can be driven by competition, while inspiration is more about personal fulfillment.
- Direction – Inspiration pulls you forward, while motivation pushes you to act.
4 Similarities Between Motivation and Inspiration
- Both push you to take action.
- Both help you grow personally and professionally.
- Both can bring significant change to your life.
- Both require creative and strategic thinking.
Examples for Nigerians in the UK
Motivation
- You’re the only Nigerian in your department and want to prove you belong, so you work twice as hard and take extra training courses.
- You’re saving to bring your family over from Nigeria, so you take on weekend shifts despite the long hours.
- You’ve been rejected from job applications but you keep improving your CV and attending interviews.
Inspiration
- You hear about a Nigerian single mum who built a successful cleaning business in Birmingham — and you start planning yours.
- You attend a Nigerian cultural event and meet people who’ve bought homes in the UK — and you start looking into homeownership schemes.
- You watch a TED Talk by a Nigerian-British entrepreneur and feel moved to start your own side hustle.
How to Combine Motivation and Inspiration in the UK
- Use inspiration to set a vision for what you want (e.g., your dream career, a UK home, your own business).
- Use motivation to take consistent action towards that vision, even when it gets tough.
- Break big goals into smaller, achievable steps.
- Surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you — Nigerian community groups, professional networks, or online forums like Naija UK Connect.
4 Benefits of Combining the Two
- You inspire and motivate others in your community.
- You develop empathy for others on their UK journey.
- You become more creative while staying practical.
- You gain confidence to try new things.
5 Tips to Keep Your Team (or Yourself) Motivated and Inspired in the UK
- Share success stories from fellow Nigerians in the UK.
- Set clear, realistic goals for yourself or your team.
- Celebrate small wins — passing an exam, landing an interview, getting a promotion.
- Allow yourself or your team creative freedom in problem-solving.
- Network with others and feed off positive energy from like-minded people.
Final Word for Naija UK Connect Readers
Motivation will get you started. Inspiration will keep you going.
As a Nigerian in the UK, you need both to not just survive but thrive.
Next time you feel a spark of inspiration or a burst of motivation, don’t waste it — channel it into action. Your success story could be the one that inspires the next person in our community.
If you want, I can also create a short, shareable Instagram carousel from this so it’s more social media–friendly.
Do you want me to do that next?
