[Return to Blog list] [Add your comment]
 
Six motivators
Posted by Chris on 18/03/2008
Motivation is an important but complex issue. Here are six ways to motivate others. Money
Money motivates most people.
Why? Because it allows people to buy the things they need (shelter, food, electricity) and want (fancy car, clothes, perfume). However, money may not be enough, on its own, to carry us through any particular day.
People are more complex than that. They need more! Security
Once we have enough money to take care of our immediate needs, we turn our attention to keeping what we have.
We want long-term security.
Few people are happy when the future is uncertain. We want to feel secure about the future. We feel better when we are safe. So security is a motivator. Achievement
If you were rich beyond dreams, you would not necessarily be happy. Most people are motivated by the desire to achieve something worthwhile, even if they do not need the money. (For example, think of Princess Diana and her campaigns). Knowing yourself to be effective in your chosen field creates motivational feelings. Achievement is proof that you are an effective person.
So achievement is a positive motivator. Recognition
You could achieve things alone on a desert island.
However, achievement is even more motivational if it brings recognition from others.
We are social animals and most people are motivated by recognition and praise from others. What happens to your motivation, if you work hard, achieve a winning result and nobody recognises it?
(The manager says, “That is what we pay her for”) Acceptance from others
With recognition of achievement comes social acceptance. We all want be accepted. First, we want to be accepted by our immediate family. Then by a wider peer group. Then by an even wider professional circle.
Most people are motivated by feeling connected to a larger group.
(Note: This is not a universal trait). Self-esteem
Some people miss out the previous step because the ultimate motivator is personal self-esteem.
Some need acceptance from others to feel it. Others do not. As humans, we have a need for self-esteem. A positive self-concept.
Good, personal self-esteem leads to effective actions, confidence, and healthy relationships. Never undercut or degrade your own or others, self concept.
Conversely you should make it your policy to purposefully raise the self-esteem of yourself and others (consistent with the facts).
If you do, good things will happen.
No comments yet - why not add yours?
|
