Dynamics of Motivation

To further stimulate you toward action, let me share some thoughts on motivation. Much has been written on the subject of motivation. Sales managers are always searching for the elusive magic formula to get their representatives fired up and motivated. But only you can motivate yourself, no one else can. Motivation must come from within. Your manager or spouse may be able to light a fire under you, but only you can light a fire within.

Motivation is understanding and appreciating the dynamic relationship between career goals and personal goals. Many people feel that our personal goals are the most important aspect of motivation. I challenge that. It is through the success of our career goals that we are able to pursue our personal goals. It's called a paycheck. How else, except for winning a lottery or receiving an inheritance, can we realize our personal goals? If we view our careers as a vehicle to achieve our personal goals, then we are motivated. If not, then we are saddled with the, "I have to go to work" attitude versus, "I choose to go to work." In terms of personal goals, I'm not suggesting money is our ultimate goal but money does allow us to pursue what makes us happy. Let's face it, money is important. In fact, I put it right up there with oxygen. (Another upside to money is it keeps the kids in touch.)

Life only rewards players, not spectators. There is no admission charge for players, but there is always a charge for spectators. The spectators of life pay a high price for their admission and don't even realize it. Life is not a spectator sport. If you are not motivated by your career, then get one where you are.

Motivation has two faces. We can be motivated away from something such as a bad job or bad manager (negative stress); or motivated toward something such as a promotion or a new career (positive stress). As Abraham Maslow theorized, we all live guided by a hierarchy of needs. Once lower-level needs such as food and shelter are satisfied, a person moves up to higher-level needs, such as esteem and friendship. However, Maslow also tells us that satisfied needs do not necessarily motivate us to move up to higher-level needs. We become content with what I call the FDH syndrome: fat, dumb, and happy. Satisfied needs do not motivate. We must take responsibility for ourselves and set SMART goals to stimulate motivation. Accomplishments and achievements are more satisfying than living with routine and monotony.

This is part of Attitude #2, next you should read :

Attitude #3: Self-Esteem: Sell Yourself to Yourself
Attitude #4: Comfort Zone—Stretch It
Attitude #5: Patient Yet Persistent