The scoring formula (simple, but useful)

Each slider is rated from 1 to 10. Friction is inverted because higher friction tends to reduce drive. We combine the seven signals using weights that reflect how drive typically works in real life: traction comes from both fuel (energy) and direction (purpose), but it collapses quickly under friction. The weighted average is then scaled to a 0–100 score.

• Motivation: 16%
• Momentum: 16%
• Energy: 18%
• Focus: 14%
• Confidence: 12%
• Purpose: 14%
• Friction (inverted): 10%

• Energy + momentum are the biggest “get moving” drivers — when they’re low, everything feels heavy.
• Motivation + purpose help you start and keep going when things aren’t fun.
• Focus + confidence turn intention into output — they affect follow‑through quality.
• Friction is a multiplier on pain: small friction compounds into procrastination.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this a motivation test?

  Not exactly. Motivation is only one input. Drive includes traction (momentum), clarity (focus), and resistance (friction).

• Why is “friction” inverted?

  Because more friction usually reduces drive. We convert friction into a “smoothness” score for the final average.

• How often should I use it?

  Weekly works best. Use “Last 7 days,” save it, then watch trends instead of obsessing over one day.

• What if I score low but I’m still productive?

  That can happen with strong habits, deadlines, or external structure. A low score can still signal strain or burnout risk.

• Is this medical advice?

  No. It’s a self‑reflection tool. If you’re worried about mood, sleep, or functioning, consider talking to a qualified professional.

What the Mental Drive Score is measuring

People talk about “motivation” like it’s a magical substance you either have or don’t have. But real drive is usually more mechanical than mystical. It’s closer to an engine with multiple parts: fuel, traction, steering, and resistance. When you feel driven, you’re not just excited — you also have enough energy to act, a clear next step, and a low-friction environment that doesn’t constantly pull you off course. When drive is low, it’s rarely because you’re broken. It’s usually a mismatch between your internal state (energy, confidence), the work (meaning, clarity), and the environment (distractions, interruptions, competing priorities).

This calculator turns that messy experience into seven simple sliders. It can’t capture every detail, but it can help you notice patterns. For example: you might have high purpose (“I care about this”) but low momentum (“I keep restarting”). That suggests your next step might be too big, too vague, or too exposed to interruptions. Or you might have decent motivation but high friction (notifications, emotional stress, constant context switching). In that case, the best “motivation hack” is a friction hack: reduce the number of decisions and interruptions between you and the first five minutes of work.

The Mental Drive Score is intentionally not clinical. It doesn’t claim to measure disorders, attention conditions, or depression. It’s a snapshot for self‑reflection. Think of it like a personal dashboard: not “who you are,” but “what your system feels like right now.” If you run it weekly, you’ll start to see which levers move together (sleep and energy, stress and friction, purpose and motivation). That makes it easier to design small experiments rather than relying on willpower alone.

• Motivation: Do you feel pulled toward the task, or does it feel like pushing a boulder uphill?
• Momentum: Once you start, do you keep going — or do you stop/restart repeatedly?
• Energy: Do you have mental “battery” for effort, decisions, and sustained attention?
• Focus: Can you stay with one thing, or does your attention fragment quickly?
• Confidence: Do you believe your actions will work (or do you doubt your ability/outcome)?
• Purpose: Is there a clear “why” that feels real — not just a logical reason?
• Friction: How many obstacles exist between you and progress (stress, noise, interruptions, unclear next steps)?

Realistic examples (so you can spot yourself)

Example 1: “Motivated but stuck.”
Motivation 8, Purpose 8, Energy 6, Focus 5, Momentum 3, Friction 6.
Your brain wants the outcome, but the process feels sticky. This often happens when the next step is unclear or when you’re perfection‑loading the first move. Fix: define a tiny next action (10 minutes), reduce scope, and “earn” momentum with a small win.

Example 2: “Burnout risk.”
Motivation 6, Purpose 7, Energy 3, Focus 4, Momentum 5, Confidence 6, Friction 8.
You still care, but your battery is low and everything feels hard. Fix: protect recovery (sleep, breaks), reduce friction (fewer commitments), and choose one “minimum viable” task. Sometimes the best productivity move is recovery.

Example 3: “The sprinter.”
Motivation 7, Energy 8, Focus 6, Momentum 7, Confidence 6, Purpose 4, Friction 3.
You can work fast — but the “why” isn’t strong. This can feel productive short term but unstable long term: you’ll chase urgency and novelty. Fix: connect tasks to a bigger goal, or deliberately pick projects that you actually care about.

Example 4: “The slow diesel.”
Motivation 4, Energy 6, Focus 7, Momentum 8, Confidence 7, Purpose 7, Friction 4.
You don’t feel excited — but once you start, you’re steady. Fix: design a consistent starting ritual, and don’t wait to “feel like it.” Your drive is habit-driven, not hype-driven.

Example 5: “High friction, low output.”
Motivation 6, Purpose 6, Energy 6, Focus 5, Momentum 4, Confidence 5, Friction 9.
Your inner state is okay, but the environment is sabotaging you. Fix: reduce interruptions, set boundaries, batch communication, and create a single clear next step.

Small upgrades that actually move the needle

The fastest way to raise drive is rarely “more discipline.” Discipline helps, but it’s a high‑cost tool. Most sustainable drive comes from system design: clearer next steps, fewer distractions, more recovery, and a stronger reason to care. Below are practical moves mapped to each slider. Pick the lowest one first — raising a weakness often increases the whole score automatically.

• Make the first step ridiculously small (2 minutes). Starting is the hardest part.
• Pair the task with a cue you enjoy (coffee, music, a specific spot).
• Use “temptation bundling”: only listen to a favorite playlist while doing the task.

• Remove decision points: pre‑write your next step the night before.
• Use a timer: 10 minutes on, 2 minutes off. Momentum loves rhythm.
• Lower the “quality bar” for the first pass. You can polish later.

• Prioritize sleep consistency over perfect sleep length.
• Hydrate and eat something steady — energy crashes look like “laziness.”
• Do a short walk or stretch. Light movement often increases mental energy.

• Silence notifications for one block; put your phone in another room if needed.
• Use a single “capture note” for distractions (write it down, return to task).
• Make the task smaller and more concrete. Vague tasks destroy focus.

• Make progress visible: track “tiny wins” daily.
• Start with the easiest meaningful part to build proof.
• Ask: “What would make this 10% easier?” Confidence often follows smart simplification.

• Write a one‑sentence reason: “I’m doing this because…”
• Connect the task to someone you care about (future you counts).
• If purpose stays low, consider whether the goal is actually yours.

• Reduce one source of stress: one conversation, one decision, one commitment.
• Make the environment “ready”: open the doc, lay out materials, remove clutter.
• Batch interruptions: check messages at set times instead of all day.

Your pattern matters more than the number

Two people can both score 70 but have totally different patterns. That’s why this tool also labels your “drive archetype” — a quick way to describe how your drive operates right now. Use it as a conversation starter with yourself, not a permanent identity.

• Sprinter: high energy/motivation, moderate purpose. Great bursts; protect consistency.
• Diesel Engine: low motivation, high momentum once started. Build a strong start ritual.
• Drifter: okay motivation, low focus/momentum. Make next steps smaller and clearer.
• Friction Trapped: decent internal state, high friction. Environment/interruptions are the enemy.
• Burnout Risk: low energy + high friction. Recovery and boundaries are the priority.
• Purpose Powered: high purpose, steady confidence. Protect focus and reduce scope creep.

Viral tip: screenshot your archetype + score and share it with a friend. “What’s your drive archetype this week?”

How to use this responsibly

Use the score to notice patterns and design small experiments. Don’t use it to self‑diagnose. If you’re concerned about your mental health, sleep, or daily functioning, a licensed professional can help you interpret what you’re experiencing.

• Run “Last 7 days” on the same day each week.
• Pick the lowest slider and choose one tiny action to improve it.
• Re‑check next week and look for direction, not perfection.